Mslexia

It could be you! On the 20th anniversary of the BBC National Short Story Award its co-founder and chair of judges Di Speirs urges Mslexics to throw their hats into the ring ✨ Link in comments 🔗 #WritingCommunity #Storytelling #ShortStory #WomenWriters #BBCNationalShortStoryAward #WritingCompetition

The Charles Causley Trust is recruiting three new Trustees! They're looking for individuals who are passionate about poetry and literature, community arts and development, and providing creative opportunities for young people. https://lnkd.in/eSt_k5b3 Apply by 17 March #WritingCommunity #Trustees #Recruitment #Opportunities

'Competitions like these are more than just about winning; they’re about growth, resilience, and the privilege of being part of a community that truly celebrates stories.' We couldn't agree more! ❤️

'Building connections doesn’t happen overnight. We often compare ourselves to writers who have been building relationships for years. Of course, it’s easier after we’ve been in the game a few decades. But just like there’s no jumpstart on a friendship or romantic relationship, there’s no shortcut for forging working connections either.' Sian Meades-Williams looks at networking as a freelancer in Issue 104 of Mslexia. Her tips? ◗ Get chatty in the comments Favourite editors and writers on Substack and social media? Talk to them! Engaging with people’s work is the best way to build connections – you would want people to do the same with yours. ◗ Don’t go overboard A friendly ‘like’ or thoughtful comment is a good thing; scrolling back and commenting on posts that date back to 2013 can hit the wrong note. ◗ Work on your pitches If you want to get to know editors really well, pitch them the best ideas you can. Make your work front and centre of the conversation. ◗ Find your people Find online freelance communities and writing groups near you. Networking doesn’t always need to lead to a paid commission; the best part is meeting like-minded people. #WomenWriters #Storytelling #Networking #WritingCommunity

I’ll soon be commissioning for the June issue of Mslexia and am open to pitches on any element of creative writing/publishing. Features are ~1,800 words and fall into one of the following broad headings: CRAFT, CREATIVITY & WELLBEING, CAREER, OFF THE PAGE. We’re also open to pitches for our Agenda – a longer-form (3,000 words) article covering bigger topics within the industry. My email is maxine at mslexia dot co dot uk and it’d be great to have any pitches by 16 February 💖 Feel free to get in touch with any questions! #WritingOpportunities #WomenWriters

How does having children affect a woman's writing life? ✨ 33% felt they had a clearer sense of purpose ✨ 35% said they had more motivation to write ✨ 25% felt more in touch with their emotions than they were pre-children ✨ 22% felt more creative and experimental One of the top requested things which parents felt would help their writing was recorded course and event material that they could access at any time. That's one of the reasons why all of our Mslexia Salon events are recorded and uploaded to our Event Archive, to be watched back at your own pace. Salon membership costs just £18 a year for subscribers – and gains you access to our vibrant online community of women writers, regular workshops and talks, and our Monday write-ins, a quiet, convivial space for an hour of communal writing, weekly at 12-1pm. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ee4iMja7 #Storytelling #WritingCommunity #WomenWhoWrite #CreativeWriting #Memoir #Novel

Mslexia Memoir School is an online course for writers embarking on a memoir, or rethinking a memoir-in-progress. Four leading tutors will each focus on a single aspect of the memoir writing craft, creating a varied week of high-quality workshops. For the Mslexia Memoir School, our four core craft tutors are: Claire Hynes on setting and context Hannah Lowe on theme and mission Jane Rogers on structure and chronology  Margaret Wilkinson on dramatising your story You can also expect: - small-group teaching - experienced tutors - psychological support - motivational coaching - networking socials Check out the full programme below for more information! ⬇️ #WritingCommunity #Memoir #MemoirWriters #WomenWriters

First day back in 2025 and straight into one of my BIG projects for the year… the 5th edition of Mslexia’s Indie Press Guide! If you know of any great independent presses in the UK or Ireland please drop me a line, we’d love to know about them! ✨

'Many women described feeling cut off from their literary life and dumped into a dreary domesticity full of unending piles of tiny laundry, toys to clear away, sinks full of bottles and bibs' In our 104th issue we looked at how having children affects a woman's writing life – and the surprising positives of hormonal changes. #WritingMums Get your copy: https://lnkd.in/eEYW5nsi

Beyond proud to have been shortlisted in the Mslexia competition and included in this anthology. I have felt so supported by this magazine over the years, I have submitted many times but this is the first time I've been shortlisted. While I don't write for the recognition and certainly not for the money, this one definitely stokes my writerly fires. I very much look forward to reading all the other stories. (My writing name is Agnes Halvorssen) https://lnkd.in/eAQQgwfB