Mslexia

Mslexia, the magazine for women who write | www.mslexia.co.uk

Writer's Diary

Make 2010 your most creative year yet

Our new Mslexia Writer's Diary – utilising illustrations and texts drawn from the wonderful collection held at Seven Stories, The Centre for Children's Books – is uniquely planned and produced for you. Our aim? To fulfil all of your writing (and reading) needs, ambitions, pleasures, inspirations and desires for the coming year.

The Seven Stories collection includes the works of a range of national writing treasures, including that of Ruth Gervais – pencil drawings from her sister Noel Streatfield's delightful novel Ballet Shoes – Judith Kerr, Jan Mark and Berlie Doherty. Chosen directly from their rich archives, our monthly inspirations include segments from Philippa Pearce's Tom's Midnight Garden; a letter from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory illustrator Faith Jacques to Roald Dahl; and Eva Ibbotson's notes 'Thoughts on Ghosts.' Alongside some of our selections, you'll also find inspiring exercises to help get your writing juices flowing.

Our regular quotes by writers on writing include words of wisdom and observation from the likes of Shirley Hughes, Alice Oswald, Nikita Lalwani, AL Kennedy and Polly Stenham. And our unique collection of reading recommendations from top authors includes titles for your not-to-be-missed list from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Shazia Mirza, Francesca Simon, Caroline Bird and Joan Bakewell.

We've kept plenty of the ever-popular blank pages for scribblings, pages to record your writing submissions and inside pockets and a sturdy elastic fastening to hold it all together. All of this, as well as essential information on how to make the most of your library, how to pick the writing course that's best for you and Mslexia’s indispensible directory, surely makes the Mslexia Writer's Diary one of the best ways to seek writerly stimulation and support for 2010. Make this your most creative year yet.

Everyone who placed their order before Monday 30 November 2009 was automatically entered into the draw to win one of five Mystery Packs of five books that we have to give away. Congratulations to our winners: Rachel Malham, London; Ruth Rankin, Southampton; Shanta Everington, Ilford; JMY Cherrett, Northallerton; and Yvonne Lyon, Oxford. We hope they enjoy their prizes.

Buy the Mslexia Writer's Diary now

Features

Does your handbag feel too small? No room for your notebook as well as your diary? Help is at hand with the Mslexia's Writer's Diary. Smaller than a paperback (12.5cmW x17.5cmH), it contains everything you need to manage your life as a woman and as a writer.

• week-to-view pages
• lots of blank sheets for notes and scribblings
• sturdy elastic to secure loose pages
• inside storage pockets on front and back covers
• address book section
• pages for recording your writing submissions
• pages for recording books lent and borrowed
• authors' reading recommendations
• inspirational quotes and exercises
• directory of writer's resources
• competitions and festivals
• Mslexia's guide to making the most of your library
• advice on how to pick the writing course that's best for you
• strong plastic cover and wiro-binding