Image Credits:-
Many thanks to all at Writers’ Narrative for sending me their fabulous author photos. Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for the publicity shots for Writers’ Narrative magazine. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images, one taken directly from Pixabay, and one of Wendy’s shots adapted in Book Brush for the Feature Image. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.
I mentioned in my most recent round-up of what I’ve been up to, writing wise, Mom’s Favorite Reads had come to an end but a new monthly online magazine, Writers’ Narrative, was coming out. I’m pleased to say the first issue of this (the August 2023) edition has just been released (25th July 2023). A free subscribe link is included below.
The same editorial team, including me, is on board for Writers’ Narrative and its editor in chief is Wendy H Jones. It is a magazine by writers for writers.
The idea of the new magazine is to provide an online magazine covering all aspects of writing in one handy place. If there is anything writers love doing other than writing itself, it is reading about writing and how to improve what they do. The wise writer realises early on there is always room for improvement but seeking to improve boosts productivity and creativity.
Writers’ Narrative will also include author interviews and book reviews. I’m already enjoying working on the magazine. I’m looking forward to receiving my copy in my inbox every month too.
So over to Wendy then to tell us more about the new magazine.
Welcome back to Chandler’s Ford Today, Wendy, and aptly for an online magazine, we’re talking about another one.
Wendy, what do you hope Writers’ Narrative will achieve and when will the first issue be out?
I have a real passion for helping writers grow and develop in their chosen path. Having gained experience in running a magazine as the Editor in Chief of Mom’s Favorite Reads, I made the decision to move the energy I was using in Moms’ Favorite Reads over to a writing magazine. Finding the name was a chore in itself as it could not be in use anywhere, either as a magazine title or on social media. I love the name Writers’ Narrative.
Can anyone submit to Writers’ Narrative and how can they do this?
Yes, although I would suggest they pitch their idea to me as Editor in Chief first. They can do this via writersnarrative@gmail.com
What do you think the strengths of an online magazine are?
I believe the strengths are they are accessible to everyone, no matter where they are in the world. Also, the costs are usually considerably lower, meaning the magazine itself can be priced lower, again increasing accessibility. Our magazine will be free and all costs raised from advertising.
Where will people be able to download Writers’ Narrative?
It will be available via the Writers’ Narrative website – https://subscribepage.io/WritersNarrative – ISSUU, Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords and Apple Books. It will also be available in libraries via their magazine apps.
Social Media Links
https://twitter.com/WritersNarrativ
https://www.facebook.com/WritersNarrative
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3832870996791379
https://www.instagram.com/writersnarrative/
Writers’ Narrative will have monthly themes. Where can people find these?
Writers’ Narrative – Monthly Themes 2023
While there will be a monthly theme and focus, this will not be the only topic for the magazine. General articles can also be submitted for publication.
Month and Theme – 2023
August
General – introductory magazine.
September
Marketing your books – this will be out in time for the Christmas book buying spree.
October
Writing Horror – for Halloween.
November
Writing Novels – Ties in with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
December
Finishing Strong – wrapping up your book with endings that satisfy. Tying up loose ends. Leaving your reader satisfied.
Writers’ Narrative – Monthly Themes 2024
Whilst the focus is on the theme, other articles may be submitted for consideration for publication.
Month and Theme 2024
January
New beginnings – setting the scene for the year ahead
February
Romance Writing – what else in February?
March
Writing for Children – Ties in with World Book Day
April
Editing – self editing, working with an editor etc.
May
Writing Memoir – It’s National Memoir Month
June
Writing Poetry
July
Writing Non-Fiction
August
Writing Historical Fiction
September
Science Fiction and Fantasy – it’s National Science Fiction Month
October
World Building
November
Writing Cozy Mysteries
December
Writing Habits
Allison: You do have to think ahead. For example, many places will want Christmas stories sent to them in the summer. Planning time is crucial but you do get used to working ahead like this. I do it on a weekly basis here (though I usually have ideas for future posts for two to three weeks ahead of when I’ll use them).
Deadlines are crucial for any magazine. What do you think the advantages are of writing to deadlines? Can you share here when the magazine will be out and the appropriate deadline for each?
Deadlines are important because there are tight timescales when bringing out a monthly magazine. One has to ensure every aspect of the magazine is ready for print, or in this case upload by a specific date leaving little room for slippage. You also have to factor in illness or absence of key personnel. Therefore, we work three months in advance as follows
January – 7th October
February – 7th November
March – 7th December
April – 7th January
May – 7th February
June – 7th March
July – 7th April
August – 7th May
September – 7th June
October – 7th July
November – 7th August
December – 7th October
All magazines come out in the last week of the month previous. So, the September Magazine will be out on the last week of August.
Articles covering aspects of fiction and non-fiction are wanted but can you specify a word count? Are there specific areas of fiction and non-fiction you would like to see?
We have three word counts – 500 words, 1000 words and 1500 words. With regards to topics, looking at the monthly themes as outlined above, is a good starting point. However, we will accept submissions outside of those themes as the whole magazine does not have to be focussed on the theme. It is better to pitch an idea to the Editor in Chief before submitting to ensure it will be suitable for the magazine.
Is there anything you don’t want to see in Writers’ Narrative?
This is a professional magazine, so all aspects of writing will be covered, however, all articles must adhere to professional standards. This means any submissions which do not follow the guidelines will not be used in the magazine.
I’m pleased to say there will be a letters to the editor spot. I love this kind of thing. You learn a great deal from letters pages. Have you a word count requirement for the letter spot?
I would say letters should ideally be no more than 100 – 150 words. However, they can be shorter.
Submission requirements are Times New Roman, 12 point. All magazines need a uniform, professional look. Sticking to the same font and size also helps a great deal with formatting. Wendy, can you share something of why the formatting matters and why sticking to what the editor wants makes the writer’s life easier as well as the editor’s?
You would not believe how many days and how much thought went into choosing a font for the magazine. There are very specific fonts which increase readability and that is key with an online magazine. We ask that all those who submit do so using Times New Roman or Times, 12 Font as this makes the conversion to the magazine font so much easier.
Also, following the formatting guidelines means changing to the magazine format goes much more smoothly. All those running the magazine are, at present, volunteers. Therefore, this is not their full time job. Hence, a lot of time was put in initially to ensure the process is a smooth as possible.
Now I often mention when writing, it pays to put work aside for a while and then come back to it with fresh eyes. It helps you pick up the errors. There will be some. There always is. For Writers’ Narrative, you have put an editorial team together, Wendy. What are the strengths of this approach? One obvious one is with a team of people, there will be more than one set of eyes looking out for formatting inconsistencies, typos, and the like but can you expand on this?
The editorial team – me, Sheena Macleod, Pauline Tait, Eileen Roland, Maressa Mortimer and yourself – all play a vital role in the process and bring a lot to the magazine. We have an Editor in Chief, Deputy Editor, Social Media Manager, Submissions Manager, Copy Editor and Graphic Designer. Without any one of them the magazine would not exist. They all bring their own experience and knowledge to the process and as Editor in Chief I am grateful to them all for their commitment and for their hard work in bringing the magazine to fruition.
Wendy, please feel free to add in anything else about the magazine not covered by the above.
This magazine is a labour of love and the result of a long held dream. I, and the team, are committed to helping others and this is my way of giving back to the writing world, who have helped me in so many ways on my own writing journey.
Conclusion
Many thanks, Wendy, for sharing a wealth of information about Writers’ Narrative. If you’re thinking about submitting a piece for the new magazine, do have a look at the first issues when they come out. See this as market study. It pays off. You will get a feel for the style of the magazine and that will help you as you draft and craft your piece. Then pitch the idea to Wendy as Editor in Chief first. For the non-fiction market, you generally do have to pitch ideas first so you can see this as good practice too.
Related Posts:-
Read interviews with Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes: Part 1 and Part 2.
Read blog posts by Allison Symes published on Chandler’s Ford Today.
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