Whether you’re an established novelist or humble blogger, here are five ways we can help you develop as a writer:
1. A free subscription to ‘The Writer’ magazine
“Each month The Writer is full of features you can use to improve your writing, including before-and-after examples of improved writing… practical solutions for writing problems… tips from famous authors and hands-on advice.”
And it’s free to download anyone with an Edinburgh library card – one of over 90 titles available from our Zinio emagazine service
2. A free copy of The Writers and Artist’s Yearbook
Contains a wealth of practical information on a huge range of topics including copyright, finance, submitting a manuscript and e-publishing, as well as being a comprehensive up-to-date directory of media contacts. One of over 100 free books available online via Know UK. Use your library card number to log on.
3. Contact details for local writers groups
Use Your Edinburgh, our community information database, to find out about writers’ groups in the city.
4. Free online access to Oxford Dictionaries Pro
Improve your vocabulary, grammar and punctuation. Contains the texts of New Hart’s Rules, The New Oxford Dictionary for Scientific Writers and Editors and Garner’s Dictionary of Legal Usage. Handy.
5. Learn from the experts
Get yourself along to one of our Edinburgh Reads series of authors’ talks, or watch the highlights on our YouTube channel.
Finally, bit late to the party with this one but Pixar writer Emma Coats’ 22 Basic Rules for storytelling are well worth a look.
Tales of One City 