(Bluesky/Instagram: @madeleinefwhite)
September has always felt a little like a second New Year to me. Perhaps it’s all those years of new school terms, fresh notebooks and sharpened pencils, but there’s something about this month that makes me want to get started again.
And, after our quieter August, that’s very much what we’re doing at Write On!
Our regular pages are back, and September also sees the return of ReadFest, Pen to Print’s annual celebration of reading, writing and creativity. Running from 12 to 19 September, it brings together established and emerging writers, readers and publishing professionals through events, workshops and conversations.
August brought a couple of lovely writing milestones for me too. Maiden Mother Crone: The Anthology, which I co-edited with Mary Petiet, was published at the beginning of the month, and I’ve also just signed a publishing deal for my new novel which will be out next year. Both have been very different journeys, with plenty of twists and turns along the way, reminding me again that writing careers rarely travel in straight lines – and that the most important thing is often just to keep going. As we head into ReadFest and our Aspiring Writers Day, this insight seems to be particularly appropriate.
On the Aspiring Writers’ Day, I’ll be joined by a host of industry professionals. My usual introduction/workshop around what makes a magazine and how Write On! works, sits alongside Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook Editor Alysoun Owen’s workshop and an industry panel, followed by our Tea & Talk session. I’m particularly looking forward to the conversations that happen around the edges of events like these. Sometimes one piece of advice, one introduction, or simply meeting someone who understands what you’re trying to do can make all the difference.
In other news, this month sees the arrival of Issue 30, our Nostalgia edition – out 11 September – , featuring bestselling psychological crime writer Gillian McAllister on the cover and sponsored by LoveReading.
We hope the stories and submissions in the magazine will inspire you to get writing, too. As we’re looking for your poetry, fiction, features, reflections, artwork and ideas to respond to our theme Fractured running from October to December. Fractures can divide, but they can also let the light through. They can mark breaking points, changing points and sometimes the beginning of something entirely new. You can check out our submissions guidelines here .
So, whether September means returning to something you’ve put aside, starting a new project, joining us at ReadFest or simply opening that notebook again, do connect with us.
Madeleine
