Posts For Unprecedented Times
(Bluesky/Instagram: @madeleinefwhite)
Value – an interesting word, isn’t it? Of its many definitions, these three stand out:
1. A fair return in goods, services, or money for something exchanged. 2. The amount of money something is worth. 3. Importance in comparison with something else.
Our world is filled with creative output: the TV shows we watch, the books we read, the clothes we wear, and the endless stream of online content. With AI on the rise, it’s often unclear whether something was made by a human or machine. Yet, so much of modern life is shaped by human creativity – things that once existed only as ideas or responses to the world.
As a writer, I find the third definition ‘importance’ especially relevant to creative work. Written content holds immense value. Yet, when it comes to the first two definitions, monetary worth and fair compensation, creative work is consistently undervalued.
Take the recent revelation reported by The Atlantic that tech giant Meta, worth over $1 trillion, used Library Genesis (LibGen), a repository of pirated material, to train its AI systems. Millions of writers’ works were exploited without consent or compensation. Understandably, the backlash has been fierce. The question is clear: why would one of the world’s wealthiest corporations deny fair pay to one of the most underpaid professions?
To me, this highlights a broader issue: society’s disregard for creativity. The assumption seems to be that there will always be another writer, artist, or musician ready to create – no matter how poorly they are treated. Though creativity underpins much of our world, it’s rarely respected as such. This incident is just one example, but it reflects a larger pattern. Corporations seem to bank on creators simply shrugging it off – even when exploited. After all, haven’t we always? In a world so reliant on original content, perhaps this time, the collective outrage will finally be enough to make our voices heard. Check out the Pen to Print blog for more information and ways to take action.
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But back to happier subjects. We’re coming into National Poetry Month, and I’m writing this editorial with spring sunlight pouring my window, while looking forward to the wonderful first showcase this Wednesday from Jawbone Collective’s Peter Roe, our guest editor for the month. April is also the home of Stress Awareness Month and Easter which will be reflected though our pages. On a personal level, I’m so looking forward to returning to Pembrokeshire in Wales towards the end of April, a retreat that last time inspired my collection Maiden Mother Crone. On that note, I’d love to hear about how you keep going, stay inspired and stay creative. With our issue theme from May being ‘Mindset’ your insights would be wonderful: our submissions guidelines here.
Our latest print issue, Write On! 24 is sponsored by Hay Festival is out now. We have bestselling author John Marrs telling us how his determination to bring his stories to life led from self-publishing to becoming a multi-million bestselling author, a Spotlight page on ‘What is A Poem’ and agony aunt insights from novelist Laura Kay and poet Mab Joes. With a debate on what co-creation really is (maybe reflecting my point about value above), there’s lots to get your teeth into. As ever, it’s distributed through library networks and though other venues up and down the country.
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Write On! Audio, the podcast ‘For Writers Everywhere’ is out every Tuesday.
We kick off the month with Writers Tips on 1 April, brought to you by Tom Chalmers; the founder and managing director of publishers, The Legend Times Group. Our Listener Contribution on Tuesday 8 comes from the US thriller author, Michael Feodor. On Tuesday 15, we have a poem of the month and April’s Write On and Friends comes from the Seren Books podcast on the 22 and, last but not least, you can listen to my interview with John Marrs at the end of the month. You can find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Podchaser and many more. Just type pen to print into your browser and look for our logo. Alternatively, find us via our Spotify For Podcasters hosting site, which links you to our content on a variety of podcast platforms. Do subscribe! Write On! Audio can be accessed here.
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Published And Coming Up
Amber Hall’s April Monday Moments is based on looks being deceiving: misunderstanding who people really are on the basis of what they look like. Out April 7.
Eithne Cullen’s April Thoughtful Tuesdays explores things that are fixed, things that aren’t – in particular dates. Out 15 April.
Farzana Hakim’s April Thursday Connectors shares stories about cultural misunderstandings; dealing with stereotypes and clichés about identities and communities. Out 24 April.
April’s Showcases, out every Wednesday, out every Wednesday, are edited by poet and poetry publisher Peter Roe. The Jawbone Collective publisher will feature wonderful poetry, prose and fiction from our own bulging inbox while sharing some of his favourite writers.
Our Friday Features, out every two weeks, are packed with writing ideas and advice. April’s include pieces from Vic Howard and Farzana Hakim.
Our Sunday Interviews, out every two weeks, showcase a range of creative talent. In April we feature poet Charlotte Faulconbridge and our narrative interview is with John Marrs.
Saturday Spotlight, at the end of the month, features new launches from traditional publishers and small presses, as well as indie authors. Do send us information on your new release. If you have one coming up, we’d love to hear from you!
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More About Us
Write On! is a quarterly magazine published by Pen to Print and its sister, the online Write On! Extra, and has been created to encourage established and emerging writers to come together around the following ideals: Publishing lies at an intersection of entertainment, information and education and is the method by which we record our shifting culture. You can find out more about how to get involved as a writer, creative, partner or advertiser through Write On! Together.
Take advantage of some great digital advertising opportunities with Write On! and Write On! Extra. Get in touch with Pen to Print for further details.
Write On! Audio, the podcast ‘For Writers Everywhere’ connects emerging and established writers to each other, the publishing industry and a wider audience in an audio celebration of diversity, originality and excellence.
Issue 24 is out. You can see it here and find all our previous issues on our magazines page. Physical copies of Write On! are distributed in libraries and other centres across the country.
Be part of the Write On! family; one that includes The London Library, Dialogue, Hay and The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook. So far, over 290, 000 of you have engaged with us online, as readers and contributors; from the UK, but also from 198 other countries (Google Analytics lists 230 countries).
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Your Writing
Write On! accepts written pieces (prose, poetry, essays, opinion), video or spoken extracts/ snapshots, illustrations and artwork. Do remember, if you have a features idea, you may be interested in recording it for Write On! Audio. Get in touch to discuss if this appeals! Depending on content and theme, your work will be featured in one of the following ways:
Monday Moments – Stories and experiences drawn from myriad perspectives. Fresh and engaging; a real ‘magazine’ feel. (First Monday of the month.)
Thoughtful Tuesdays – Mindfulness, inspiration, poetry, quotes and ideas shared to create leadership and hope, to see us through the week. (Second Tuesday of the month.)
Write On! Showcase – This creative writing showcase includes poetry, short stories, flash fiction and book extracts. Although most will reflect the seasonal theme, some work, such as memoirs or book extracts, offer a non-themed perspectives also. (Weekly.)
Thursday Connectors – Everyone and everywhere has different experiences and different ways of dealing with these strange times. This internationally-flavoured page is all about people and their experiences, connecting us with ideas and ideals, reaching out from east London to encompass the UK and the world at large. (Third Thursday of the month.)
Write On! Features – Essays, opinions and features. In Write On! Extra, we focus on topics relevant to publishing and writing arenas, but also include wider content to encompass thinking and ideas relevant to our times. (Two per month.)
Saturday Spotlight – Spotlight offers a round-up of indie, traditional and small press releases, bringing readers an overview of what can be found on digital and physical shelves. (Monthly.)
Write On! Interviews – This Sunday profile opportunity features writers, publishers, editors, agents and other creatives, along with individuals from diverse communities in a number of different occupations. (Two per month).
Write On! Audio – Out every Tuesday, our podcast ‘For Writers Everywhere’ connects emerging and established writers to each other and the industry. There is an opportunity to submit to our Listener Contribution Slot, as well as record your creative work and any tips and feature ideas you might have. See our pilot episode for tips on ‘how to’. (Weekly).
Please do continue to submit your work. Our aim remains the same: bringing people together to share their experience, strength and hope, as well as having a bit of a laugh!
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How To Submit:
We are looking for pieces (poetry, prose, fiction etc.) around our theme of Misunderstandings. We want to know what the word means to you in terms of your personal or creative life! Running until the end of April you are invited submit on this theme until mid-March.
Our theme for May and June is Mindset: How we creatives put barriers up for ourselves – imposter syndrome and lack of time, for example – and how to overcome them. How can we push ourselves beyond these into a successful resilient mindset. When do you decide you are a writer? We are looking for creative pieces, features and prose insight as to the different approaches and insights people have.
- Creative prose submissions should be between 800 and 1000 words and, if possible, fit the seasonal theme.
- Poetry can be as short as necessary, but no longer than 500 words.
- Features are generally between 1000-1500. It’s best to send your feature/essay ideas through initially, so we can finalise the topic together.
- Write On! Audio Listener Contribution Slot. See our pilot episode for tips on ‘how to’. Listener Contributions should not be longer than ten minutes and should include a brief introduction to you.
Any contributions should include an image of the writer and any copyright-free images you would like us to use (adhering to our submission guidelines) to illustrate your work. For any images/ video content that include you, or someone identifiable, we will need a permissions form. This will be sent to you. Write On! Extra is also happy to accept video or audio content. Please include contact details and any relevant social media IDs, such as Instagram, X, Threads, Substack or Facebook.
Submit via our Submit To Write On! page. Further guidance can be found on the themed pages. All submissions are subject to Pen to Print terms and conditions and can also be held in reserve until such time as publication opportunities arise, which may well be several months after the initial submission. Please note all submissions are subject to editing, at the Editor’s discretion.
SUBMISSION DEADLINES are based on the overarching theme. For example, it is worth sending in work aimed at the new theme a month before it starts.
We invite local people get in touch, as well as those who have something to say from further afield. We also welcome partnership discussions with organisations wishing to contribute, so the voices of their beneficiaries and teams can be heard. Details will be published on pentoprint.org.
Our culture is shifting. Therefore, the worlds we create don’t just serve us, but serve to inspire others as well. Make a difference to your community from your own four walls and get creating and writing!
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in individual articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Write On! or Pen to Print. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied, Write On! Extra cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the consequences of error, or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information published on any of these pages. All facts and dates are correct at the time of publication.
