Presents a collection of interviews with contemporary British novelists that offers an insight into the authors' views on contemporary fiction; their influences and themes; readers and critics; and, why they write and their writing process. This title provides a snapshot of the reality of living as a writer.

Talks about the art of writing from one of the most popular critics of our time.

This book is a practical guide to the process of play-writing, from the original inspiration through plotting, structuring and characterisation to the successful realisation of the idea. This revised edition includes a new chapter covering stage realism.

Full of both inspirational and practical advice, Writing Children's Fiction: A Writers' and Artists' Companion is an essential guide to writing for some of the most difficult and demanding readers of all: children and young people. Part 1 explores the nature, history and challenges of children's literature, and the amazing variety of genres available for children from those learning to read to young adults. Part 2 includes tips by such bestselling authors as David Almond, Malorie Blackman, Meg Rosoff and Michael Morpurgo. Part 3 contains practical advice - from shaping plots and creating characters to knowing your readers, handling difficult subjects and how to find an agent and publisher when your book or story is complete.

Writing Comedy 4th edition is a practical manual for the beginner, as well as for the more experienced writer, in developing the skills to be a successful professional comedy writer. This new edition includes useful advice on how to develop your comedy in an increasingly digital age.

This guide to writing crime fiction is based on the author's analysis of the craft from the classic detective story of the 1920s and 30s up to the female private eye novels of the 1990s. It features tips on fictional structure, the plot and its characters, and on submitting a script to publishers.

In magazines, non-fiction offers many opportunities for the freelance writer. This book discusses surveying the field, ideas, research, style and structure, selling work, interviewing, supplying pictures and problem solving. It includes a section on electronic aids for the magazine writer.

This invaluable resource looks at all the latest markets for comedy writers, with new material on writing 'The Office' style docu-comedies, writing for children's TV, and even how to try out your own jokes in stand-up comedy routines.