st. john's press’ Post

st. john’s press Announces Call for Writers for New Anthology: "True to You: Voices on Authenticity.” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15th, 2024 – st. john’s press, a publisher known for its commitment to highlighting diverse voices and thought-provoking narratives, is excited to announce that we are now accepting submissions for our upcoming anthology, True to You: Voices on Authenticity. Today, as the professional world faces rapid changes, the concept of authenticity has never been more critical. This anthology aims to explore and celebrate the distinctive ways in which individuals navigate, express, and experience authenticity in their professional lives. We invite writers, thinkers, and professionals from all industries to share their unique stories, insights, and reflections on what it means to be authentic at work. “We believe that authenticity is king,” said Torund Bryhn, founder, publisher, and bestselling author at st. john’s press. “With the saturation of individuals and companies vying for the public’s attention, the winner is the one who can be authentic.” Submissions should delve into various aspects of authenticity, including but not limited to: *The challenges and triumphs of being authentic in the workplace *Stories of navigating identity, values, and beliefs in professional settings *The impact of authentic leadership and management styles *Personal reflections on maintaining authenticity amidst workplace pressures Selected contributors will have their work published alongside other respected voices in various industries, gaining exposure and contributing to a vital conversation about the role of authenticity in modern work environments. For more information about the anthology and submission process, please visit our  website at https://lnkd.in/gYZEECta About st. john’s press st. john’s press is dedicated to publishing works that inspire, challenge, and elevate readers. We are seekers and custodians of great thoughts and tales. We believe in the power of words and that thoughts and ideas formed in a narrative can inspire and change society for the better. Contact: Lisa Duncan, Voicewriter & Editor, st. john’s press Email: lisa@becomefamous.io #authenticity #writing #author #writerslife #amwriting #anthology

Every writer has a story worth telling. Reading about authors who inspire us reinforces the idea that creativity often comes from life’s struggles and triumphs. In an article I recently read, several authors shared their journeys of overcoming challenges through writing. Their paths remind us that perseverance is a key ingredient in the recipe for success. Each one faced obstacles but used their experiences to fuel their creativity and express unique perspectives that resonate with many. The key takeaway here? Our challenges don’t define us—they can empower our voice and deepen our storytelling. If you have your own stories of resilience or an author who has inspired you, I’d love for you to share them. Let’s celebrate the power of our narratives together! https://lnkd.in/g-QAyHdC

How do you approach writing from different perspectives? Writing from different points of view allows us to explore diverse experiences, deepen characterizations, and enrich our storytelling with multiple voices and insights. Whether writing in first person, third person, or experimenting with unconventional narrative techniques, the power of perspective offers endless possibilities for creativity and exploration. Let's dive into the world of perspective! Share your approaches to writing from different points of view in the comments, whether it's through character journals, switching narrative perspectives, or exploring unreliable narrators. By embracing the versatility of perspective in our writing, we can create stories that resonate with complexity, depth, and nuance. #PointOfView #NarrativePerspective #WritingCraft #InspiredAuthors

So, Do you have true stories to tell? In the coming months, I'm planning to host a memoir-writing weekend at the Cowichan Hub that will involve writing exercises, lectures and workshops that aim to help you explore the best way to transform your personal experiences into creative non-fiction. Not only do I find writing about my past creatively satisfying, it's also a cathartic way to plumb your history for deeper understanding and healing. It's my goal to empower people to shape their life stories, or the life stories of people they love, into satisfying and compelling narratives. I'll be sharing excerpts from Tobias Wolff, David Sedaris, Yasuko Thanh, and Miriam Toews — many of whom flirt with the line between fact and fiction. We'll ask questions like whether it's okay to recreate conversations you can't remember verbatim, and how to use the tools of fiction to inject immediacy and stakes into your prose. We'll also talk about the responsibilities inherent in memoir-writing, about the difficulties around sharing stories that others may not want shared, and navigating the fraught emotional terrain that comes with having an inquiring mind. Our most meaningful stories are often our most painful ones, which makes the work that much trickier. If you're interested in participating, please reach out and share your availability. This opportunity would be appropriate for ages 16+, and would likely be about 12 hours spread over three days. Participants are encouraged to show up with existing work, but could also arrive with nothing but the blank page. Please share this with any writers you know in the Cowichan Valley! I think it'll be fun.

Certainly! “One wrong decision can change your whole life” is a profound concept often explored in literature, storytelling, and personal narratives. In writing, it can serve as a powerful theme or central idea around which characters, plots, and conflicts revolve. When crafting a story around this theme, writers often delve into the complexities of human nature, decision-making, and the consequences that follow. They may explore how seemingly minor choices can have far-reaching effects, altering the trajectory of a character’s life in unexpected ways. This theme can also lend itself to exploring themes of redemption, resilience, and the capacity for growth in the face of adversity. Characters may grapple with regret, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately undergo profound transformations as they navigate the aftermath of their decisions. In essence, “One wrong decision can change your whole life” provides writers with a rich and fertile ground for storytelling, inviting readers to reflect on the intricacies of choice, fate, and the enduring power of human agency. 😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞 In a day 1000 of time apologists from everyone

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫? It’s a question we hear often. So let's dive into it. A query letter is your first—and sometimes only—chance to make an impression on an agent or publisher. It needs to do more than summarize your book; it needs to demonstrate why your story matters and why 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 the one who needs to tell it. Here’s how to ensure your query stands out: 1. 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 Agents are looking for fresh perspectives and distinct voices that can stand out in a crowded market. Highlight what sets your manuscript apart. 2. 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤  Don’t assume your query is ready after the first draft. Have others review it—ideally, people familiar with the publishing industry and those who are not your friends and family. 3. 𝐁𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Not every agent or publisher is right for your book. Do your research and contact only those most likely to be interested in your genre and style. 4. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 It sounds obvious, but too many authors overlook this. Agents receive hundreds of queries; ignoring their guidelines is a quick way to land in the rejection pile. Pay attention to the details. Have any questions? Ask us in the comments. ------- ✍️ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘞𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴. A strong query letter opens doors. If you’re struggling to perfect yours, consider professional help. At The Developmental, we offer targeted advice to ensure your query has the best possible chance of success. DM us for more information. #queryletter #aspiringauthor #writingcommunity #amediting

As a writer, I've always believed that inspiration can strike at the most unexpected moments. However, nothing could have prepared me for the writing case that completely blew me away and transformed my approach to storytelling. 📝✨ It all began with a simple walk in the park. I was strolling through the serene surroundings, hoping to clear my mind and find inspiration for my next project. Little did I know, the universe had other plans in store for me. As I was admiring the beauty of nature, I stumbled upon an old, weather-beaten journal tucked away beneath a bench. Curiosity piqued, I picked it up and began flipping through its pages. What I discovered inside was nothing short of extraordinary. The journal belonged to an unknown author who had poured their heart and soul into its pages. Each entry was a raw and honest reflection of their deepest thoughts, fears, and dreams. It was as if I had stumbled upon a treasure trove of untold stories waiting to be unearthed. Inspired by the mystery and intrigue of the journal, I started on a writing journey unlike any other. I delved into the lives of the characters within its pages, weaving their experiences into a narrative that captivated readers and transported them to another world. Through this writing case, I learned that inspiration can come from the most unexpected sources. Sometimes, all it takes is a chance encounter or a moment of serendipity to ignite the creative spark within us. My message to fellow writers is simple: keep your eyes and hearts open to the wonders of the world around you. You never know when inspiration will come knocking on your door, ready to lead you on a journey of discovery and transformation. Accept the unexpected, and let your imagination soar. 🌟💭 #WritingJourney #Inspiration #Creativity #Storytelling #UnexpectedEncounters #EmbraceTheUnknown #WritingCommunity #FindYourVoice

Author Interview – Rosalyn Robilliard – The Wall Isn’t A Circle (Writers Of The Future Volume 40) On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, sisters writing as Rosalyn Robilliard talk about the inspiration behind their science fiction story, The Wall Isn’t A Circle, which features in Writers Of The Future Volume 40. Tell me a bit about who you are.  We’re two sisters from the UK – Rose and Alice Robilliard – who write under the single pen name Rosalyn Robilliard. We grew up in Essex, but then moved to opposite ends of the country. Rose now lives in Manchester with her husband and little black cat, Jynx, and Alice lives in Norwich with her partner. When did you first WANT to write a book?  We’ve both loved fantasy and science fiction from a young age, and grew up creating stories together. Both of us dreamed about writing a book when we were younger, but it was only when we lived together for a year after university that we talked about trying to do it together. Writing our first novel is still something we’re determined to tackle in the near-future and we’ve got a few different ideas in the making at the moment. When did you take a step to start writing?  We started talking about writing a book when we lived together for a year in Manchester. We spent a lot of time planning out a novel that never really went anywhere, then a few years later we found the Writers of the Future contest, and started writing short stories. That was when we really started to see progress in our writing, and the first time we actually finished a story (which felt like a huge achievement!).  How long did it take you to complete your first story from the first idea to release?  Our story ‘The Wall Isn’t a Circle’ which features in Writers of the Future Volume 40 took about two months to write. Our story is about a notorious tech company who create an app that allows users to see through the eyes of anybody in history. There was a lot of back and forth – particularly on the second part of the story where things get more complicated. #authorinterview #shortstory #shortstorycollection #scifi #sciencefiction #dystopian #dystopianscifi #bookrecommendations #writerslife #authorslife #bookpromotion READ MORE NOW https://lnkd.in/ePf8WcD2

#novel #writing #trends Some recent trends in novel writing include: Diverse Voices: There's a growing emphasis on diverse characters and perspectives, reflecting a more inclusive representation in literature. Genre Blending: Authors are increasingly combining genres, creating unique and hybrid storytelling experiences that defy traditional categorization. Interactive Storytelling: With advancements in technology, interactive fiction and storytelling through platforms like apps or choose-your-own-adventure books are gaining popularity. Environmental Themes: Climate change and environmental concerns are influencing narratives, with more novels exploring the impact of human actions on the planet. Shorter Chapters: Modern readers often appreciate shorter chapters, making it easier to consume in today's fast-paced world. Experimental Narratives: Some authors are pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling structures, experimenting with non-linear plots or unconventional narrative techniques.