7 Reasons Why You Dont Want to Miss Writing.ie

7 Reasons Why You Dont Want to Miss Writing.ie As a self-described complete online magazine, Writing.ie has a vast collection of writing resources for writers across genres and around the globe, although its seat of operations is in Dublin, Ireland. Additionally, it offers an events calendar that is absolutely free for authors wishing to announce a literary event or book launch. That, combined with a Resources Page updated often and weekly make the site a useful bookmark for any writer looking for tips, inspiration, marketing outlets, or even the chance to Tell your own story to like-minded authors who access the site daily.The site is established and run by Vanessa Fox OLoughlin, one of Irelands leading literary scouts and former consultant and presenter for WritersWebTV, bringing free, live, online workshops to writers worldwide.In case these details alone are not temptation enough to visit and bookmark the site, here are seven reasons why if youre a writer, you dont want to miss all that Writing.ie has to offer.Writing.ie is a website full of great blogs across several genres and topics related to the writing process and industry.#1. Kate Dempseys Poetic License blogAs one of many guest blogs published on the site, Kate Dempseys Poetic License blog has much to offer writers interested in the art of poetry. It primarily focuses on competitions and publishing opportunities open to poets across a scope of topics and highlights interesting calls for poems both in the U.K. and around the world. For example, this call for submissions for poems about scientists experience announces the opportunity for writers, who find themselves at that strange intersection of science and poetry, to submit their work to a paid anthology entitled Spectral Lines. Although the submission deadline has passed for this particular work, it highlights some of the fascinating opportunities for poets that the blog offers. If youre a poet, its incredibly helpful to know whos looking for your poems and where to send them. If youre a poet in the Dublin area, or the U.K., this is an opportunity you certainly dont want to miss.#2. Hazel Gaynors Carry On Writing blogAs an acclaimed New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of five novels, Hazel Gaynors debut post, A Beginning and an End, is a great taste of the kind of honest approach she takes in the blog. Heres a quote from it:Im starting to think publishing deals dont really exist, that theyre just myths, the stuff of legend; about as simple to track down as the Ark of the Covenant or the golden snitch.Being an aspiring writer is no easy thing, as any aspiring writer will tell you. Its a lonely, frustrating occupation, riddled with potential for disappointment and despair but â€" and heres the thing â€" with the benefit of hindsight, Ive come to the conclusion that the rejections and close-shaves have made me more determined than ever to succeed. Of course, Id be lying if I said I hadnt thrown the occasional strop on the way to reaching this co nclusion, or curled up on the sofa in a deep rejected-author malaise, unable to speak to anyone, let alone turn on the laptop or pick up a pen, but Im pleased to have reached this conclusion all the same.Hazel Gaynor#3. Louise Phillipss Crime Scene blogIf you write crime or thriller novels, Louise Phillipss Crime Scene blog is for you. Ranging from her lists of Delicious Reads of Irish Crime Fiction books to calls for submissions for Crime novelists, this blog offers information about new books in the genre that have launched, writing conferences and courses, and tips for writers looking to sharpen their crime writing skills. She also offers writing tips and advice for the genre, which can be a great help for anyone looking to break into the industry with their own crime novel.#4. Olivia Hope and Niamh Garveys Flourish Blogs about writing for childrenWritten and curated by Olivia Hope and Niamh Garvey, Down the Rabbit Hole by Flourish and Blogs offers fascinating explorations of th e genre for anyone interested in writing and publishing childrens books. As an example article, Uncomfortable Childrens Books is an examination of the question of what topics are safe for childrens literature. In it, Garvey writes:This is a generation where mental health problems are beginning younger and younger in children. Childhood anxiety, depression and low self-esteem are on the increase. There is a tendency to panic, to think we must protect our children and teenagers from any hardship, to helicopter around them dropping cotton wool at their feet and shaded glasses on their eyes in case they see something unpleasant. They mustnt read that book, where people starve to death, where people die violently, where families are ripped apart, because it will make them sad. And yet, those same children and teenagers are allowed online alone, where more real-life danger lies than the in woods down the road at night.Niamh GarveyIn addition to their thoughtful criticism, this writing due include within their blog childrens book events, new releases, lists of must-reads, and more. As a parent and a writer, I found this blog to be an intriguing and thoughtful read, even though I dont plan to publish in the childrens book genre.#5. Tara Sparlings The Lighter Side blog offers satire and humorIn this blog about book humor, selling trends, marketing and character stereotype follies, Tara Sparlings writing lifts the spirits of her readersâ€"often by stating the obvious on a not-so-obvious path to writing a bestseller. For example, in her post, Who Are You NOT Writing For This Year?, she takes a satirical approach to the all-important writers audience and offers a handy list of all the people you are definitely NOT writing for in 2019. Included on this list are: The cool kid in your class you asked out when you were 15, your ex-spouse, your current spouse, your next spouse, and book reviewers, among others.In another post, You Think 5-Star Reviews Are So Great? Think Again , she asks:Youre certain you want to award 5 stars to this? The highest accolade of them all? This is truly one of the best books youve ever read? Its better than the last 20 books you read and the 20 you read before that?No it isnt. Stop 5-starring like its the 1980s. Give it the solid and absolutely fine 3 it deserves.Tara Sparling#6. Derek Flynns SongBook blog about writing from a musicians perspectiveAs an Irish writer and musician, Derek Flynn has much to say about the connections and inspiration he draws from music, including an ongoing series like this one with interviews of various authors asking about how music has shaped and inspired their writing.Other articles approach literature and writing through music-related concepts, such as this piece titled Literary One Hit Wonders, which discusses famous authors known only by one book. He writes:Of course, when we mention literary one hit wonders, most people will think of Harper Lee and To Kill A Mockingbird, possibly the most famous example (and well ignore the dubious release of Go Set A Watchman). But there are some otherâ€"probably equally as famousâ€"examples. There is, of course, JD Salinger, author of Catcher in the Rye, who subsequently wrote only a handful of short stories and novellasâ€"no more novelsâ€"and gave his last interview in 1980.But while Lee and Salinger chose not to write any more novels, there are others who died before getting the chance to write more, leaving us wondering what might have been.Derek FlynnFlynn also writes of local publishing opportunities or jobs available in the industry, as well as competitions and anthologies seeking submissions.#7. Resources for writersFinally, and as mentioned earlier, the websites section for Resources for writers is packed with valuable information and links to sources writers can use throughout the drafting, editing, publishing and marketing phases of their writing journey.The Resources tab of the site offers links to sources writers can us e throughout the entire process of writing, from first draft to marketing the published work.In the Resources submenu, there are links to the following directories or sources, with additional submenus within each:Services for writersEssential guidesGetting publishedBetter fiction guidesBetter nonfiction guidesWrite for stage and screenBetter poetry guidesDeveloping your craftNational Emerging Writers Program (NEWP)Final takeawayWhile many of the literary events, book signings, and course offerings showcased in writing.ie are for the Dublin, Ireland and Greater U.K. area, there are parts of the site and blogs that provide great sources for writers around the globe. The section I found most helpful as a writer is the Writing Competitions under the Magazine menu. It was chock full of calls for submission, competitions, anthology notices, and publishing opportunities for writers of all genres, and included important information such as deadlines, how to submit your manuscript, and links to the main website for each entity seeking writers or submissions. Ill be using it in the coming months to seek out publishing opportunities and I hope youll be equally as excited about the excellent opportunities that are available.