Most of us are waiting for a "free weekend" or a "quiet afternoon" to finally finish that draft. Spoiler: it rarely happens. Cheryl is proof that you don't need hours of silence - you just need 10 focused minutes.

Where will your book fit on a bookshop shelf? Make sure you know your supernatural fiction from your steampunk in this ultimate guide to literary genres and sub-genres. https://writ.me/Genres

Cheryl tells us about the disbelief (and imposter syndrome!) that followed winning our Grand Prize Competition - and what it’s taken to accept the praise and feel proud of her work. Your writing is allowed to succeed. And you’re allowed to own it. 💛✍️

From ice daggers to gastro-intestinal feeding tubes, crime fiction has a long history of "inventive" exits. 🔪 But what makes a murder weapon actually effective in a story? Crime writer Daniel Sellers breaks down the weird and the wild weapons of the genre. https://writ.me/3MycVuw ✨

Keira’s reaction was priceless when she realised she had placed in our Grand Prize 2025 competition - and how she made sure it was legit! 🖋️🏆 Proof that dreams do come true… sometimes you just have to check your inbox twice! ✨

Writer’s block? Not today! ✍️ Some of our team took a little creative break to see what AI thinks of us. It’s been so much fun seeing how it interprets our daily chaos. Have you given this a go yet?

You have exactly one month left to enter either of these creative writing competitions: 1️⃣ Crime Fiction: Honouring 50 years of Agatha Christie. Any sub-genre, 1,500–1,700 words. 🕵️‍♂️ 2️⃣ Sea Poetry: Anything marine-themed, any style, under 40 lines. 🌊 https://writ.me/WritingCompetitions

Join us for two days of the gothic, ghostly and grotesque as SPRING HAUNTS returns to York for a big weekend of writing workshops, interviews and more! Tickets are limited, so book now. https://writ.me/SpringHaunts26

Begin your story well and you will spark readers' interest in your writing project. But how do you get going? How do you hook the reader from the first few lines? Find out more in our in-depth guide to starting your story. https://writ.me/4rkrPDx

Keira placed in our Grand Prize 2025 competition, and she’s proof that persistence pays off. Are you ready to give your writing the chance it deserves? ✨

Author, former diplomat and former Writing Magazine columnist Tony Rossiter had not expected to write a memoir. Here’s how he went about it. https://writ.me/4tu64CN

"I’ll start tomorrow..." 🙄 Sound familiar? In this video, Helen shares how the "ticking clock" of a competition deadline turned her 'someday' into 'today.'

Science fiction predates the very term itself - it is a genre rooted in the deepest questions of humanity. 🌌 If you’ve ever wanted to construct your own speculative tales, our new Sci-Fi writing course might just help you on your way. Get your manuscript ready for lift-off. https://writ.me/SciFi

Want to see your name in print? ✍️✨ Helen knows exactly what it takes. After placing in our Grand Prize competition, she’s sharing why the short story circuit is the secret weapon for any writer looking to sharpen their craft.

Ever feel like your story isn’t "perfect" enough to hit send? 📝✨ Think again! As Keira tells us, there’s nothing to lose by entering writing competitions. Whether you're a subscriber enjoying free entries or taking advantage of our low entry fees, the biggest risk is not trying at all.

Annabelle Slator specialises in rom-coms set in the world of work. Here, she sets out the key elements to consider when you're writing a workplace romance Read the full blog. https://writ.me/4bAf9DG

Writing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and this month’s Writing Magazine is all about helping you find the rhythm that works for you. Get your copy now, or subscribe: https://writ.me/March 📖🖋️

Anyone fancy a writing retreat? Is attending a writing retreat on your bucket list this year? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Don't have time for a novel? Write a miniature masterpiece instead. 🖼️✍️ Our new guide on How to Write a Short Story covers everything from finding your "peg" to the ruthless art of editing. Check it out: https://writ.me/Story

Going global starts TOMORROW! 🌍 Ready to break through your growth ceiling? Join us for Beyond English: The Global Growth Playbook for Indie Authors and learn how to turn your backlist into an international asset. Register for free here: https://writ.me/BeyondEnglish

Think of beta readers as your book’s "crash-test dummies." They take your manuscript for a spin before it hits the shelves to make sure it’s safe for the public! Check out the full guide here: https://writ.me/46bPRbq

We sat down with Cheryl, winner of our 2025 Grand Prize Competition, to talk about the simple productivity hack that finally got her writing done: a deadline she couldn’t ignore. Have you ever considered entering a creative writing competition? 👀

Struggling to finish your writing goals? ✍️ Courses aren’t about pressure - they’re about support, structure, and making your big projects achievable.

Dior cast a BookTok creator instead of an A-lister - and writers, that’s a huge sign. 📚✨ You don’t need millions of followers, you just need your people. Keep going, your work matters and your words have value.

Your books don’t have to stop at English readers. Join this free 45-minute webinar to learn how authors are turning their backlists into profitable international assets through translation and smart global marketing. Secure your free place. https://writ.me/BeyondEnglish

The @creativefutureuk.bsky.social Writers’ Award #WritingCompetition for underrepresented writers is officially open! ✍️⁠ It’s free to enter & 15 winners will receive £25k of prizes 🌟 The theme this year is 'Material'. ⁠Find out more, including how to enter: https://bit.ly/CFWA26 #WritingCommunity

Poet Zack Rogow reflects on how age, life, love, loss - and listening more closely - reshaped his writing voice. From surrealist beginnings to emotionally grounded poems, this is a beautiful reminder that our writing evolves as we do. Read on. https://writ.me/45ZawiP

Who doesn’t love a little January treat? Getting through the longest month of the year means you deserve a reward - especially for making it this far! Give yourself the gift of writing with 50% off our Writers Online memberships. https://writ.me/4aXlDw5

Leeds Creative Writing Weekend is happening in November – and our early bird prices are ending soon! This is your chance to learn from published authors, meet fellow writers, and spend the weekend investing in YOU.  Book your spot now before prices go up! https://writ.me/LCWW

Join Simon Whaley for Using AI for Self-Publishing, a practical, author-focused masterclass exploring how AI can support you at different stages within the self-publishing process - without losing your voice or creative control. Join us on Wednesday 21st January. https://writ.me/49VZAop

January isn’t over yet… and neither is our 50% OFF Writers Online Memberships. ✍️ If you’ve been meaning to write more, learn more, and actually stick to it this year - this is your sign. Get expert advice, inspiration, exclusive resources, and a community that gets it. https://writ.me/4aXlDw5

There are many routes to publication, and some require more patience than others. In this thoughtful piece, author Lorraine Wilson looks at what a sustainable writing career might look like. Read on. https://writ.me/4qv9BPq

January motivation is powerful… until real life turns up 😅 If you’ve written anything this month, you’re doing better than you think.

Kickstart your writing goals in 2026! Get 30% off all our expert-led courses this January – but hurry, it’s for a limited time only. ✨ Don’t miss out! https://writ.me/Courses

Give your writing something dark to look forward to… 👻 Two days of horror, gothic and ghost story writing in the heart of York. 🎟 Early Bird savings: £20 off a single day ticket – use code EarlyBird20 £39 off a two-day ticket – use code EarlyBird39 https://writ.me/SpringHaunts26

What happens when you stop tiptoeing around a classic… and simply just 'dig in'?  In our latest blog, author Katie Bernet shares how she reimagined Little Women as a modern murder mystery - and why honouring a beloved story sometimes means getting tangled up in it. Read on. https://writ.me/4pqBLtv

What’s your 2026 writing goal? Drop it in the comments and let’s make it happen. 👇

This series is here to guide you through the process step by step. Led by self-publishing expert Simon Whaley, these live sessions are practical, jargon-free and designed to help you publish with confidence. https://writ.me/4rZtpLW

Got ideas but no story yet? 🤔 In this blog, Jeevani Charika breaks down how an initial spark becomes character, plot and theme - and why ideas alone aren’t enough. Perfect reading for writers at any stage. https://writ.me/3MLIiS4

£1,000 in cash to start off 2026?? Got a killer short story in you? Make every word count and enter our popular 500-word flash fiction competition. ⏰ Deadline extended by ONE WEEK! Enter before midnight on Monday 12th January. 👉 https://bit.ly/4qvlkx4

Looking for inspiration to fire up your writing for the year ahead? We've lined up ten sure-fire ways to make sure you're never short of words and ideas! Read our top ten tips for 2026. https://writ.me/TopTips

Make 2026 the year where you get to grips with your dream writing project! The first Writing Magazine issue of the year is all about helping you turn your visions of what you’d like to achieve into reality. Buy now or subscribe and never miss an issue again. https://writ.me/3XXscao

Happy New Year, writers! ✨ Here’s to fresh pages, brave ideas, messy first drafts and stories you finally give yourself permission to write. Be kind to yourself, celebrate the small wins, and remember: showing up counts.

MEGA SALE ON NOW! If you’re ready to see your work in print, don’t wait! Subscribe to Writing Magazine today and begin writing with confidence! Shop now. https://writ.me/Pocketmags

Thinking about self-publishing on Amazon but not sure where to start (or how to do it properly)? Join Simon Whaley, bestselling author and self-publishing expert no-fluff masterclass where he’ll walk you through everything you need to know. 👉 https://writ.me/4rZtpLW

In this episode of The Write Club, we sit down with the brilliant Ian Ayris, author of three novels, two novellas and the mind behind Writing Magazine’s much-loved Creative Writing Building Blocks column. Meet the writer behind the column. https://writ.me/4aUTF3X

They say a goal without a plan is just a wish. If you’ve been waiting for the "right time" to start that novel, edit that manuscript, or simply build a consistent writing habit - this is it. Use this 2026 writing goals tracker to help you plan your best writing year yet!

Merry Christmas, writers 🎄✍️ May your day be full of warmth, stories, family chaos (for future plot ideas), and zero guilt if you don’t write a single word today.

Ready to take your book global? Join us for our FREE masterclass Beyond English: The Global Growth Playbook for Indie Authors, led by the CEO and Founder of PublishMe. Secure your spot. https://writ.me/3MMNqFm

Give yourself something truly exciting to look forward to in 2026 ✨ Join us at the Leeds Creative Writing Weekend (6–8 Nov 2026) and finally treat yourself to time, space and support to focus on your writing.  https://writ.me/LCWW