WRITERS’ NEWS
http://www.writers-online.co.uk MARCH 2020^89Psychologies is a women’s glossy magazine for
women who want to understand themselves.
‘It’s aimed at twenty- to fifty-year-old
women interested in what makes people
thrive, and how they can not just survive
in the world, but blossom,’ said editor Suzy
Walker. ‘They’re not just obsessed with how
they look, but how they feel.
A typical reader is looking for ways to
create a fulfilled life. ‘She’s likely to be an
introvert,’ said Suzy. ‘Typically anxious, fed
up of all the extroverts round them being
loud and annoying when they’re more clever
and interesting. They just want to flourish.
They’re readers who want to improve their
lives in a way that’s real and authentic,
not just surface. Our readers are kind and
compassionate.’
Psychologies is eco-conscious and pro-
creativity. ‘Julia Cameron is our greatest
inspiration on that,’ said Suzy. ‘It’s very
much about creativity – it’s the power
that will transform your life. Our main
philosophy is, my life, my way. Our readers
want to create a life that doesn’t look
like everybody else’s. We’re about living
alternative lives and finding new ways to flourish.’
Content is mainly features-based. ‘We cover all the topics that are
normally covered in a women’s magazine but the difference is we do
it from the outside in,’ said Suzy. ‘Work, relationships, health, are all
covered in a way that’s more about how you can feel brilliant about
yourself and build confidence. What you can do to transform yourself.’
Psychologies readers are guided through many self-help topics in their
quest to understand how they, and the ways they interact with the world
around them, can improve. ‘We cover all of the psychological tools that
our writers, experts and coaches talk about. Mindfulness is brilliant but it
isn’t the only one. Psychology is a life-coach in your pocket,’ said Suzy.
Features are 1,200 words, and travel pieces 1,000 words. Suzy is happy
to hear from writers. ‘I’m always looking to commission work about
people going on a journey to fix a life problem, to dig deep and go on
an emotional and psychological journey to have an aha! moment, and be
transformed by the journey they go on.’
Send a pitch between 100-300 words addressed to the features director,
Elizabeth Heathcote. ‘Typically, what we’re looking for is a writer’s
journey, with nice, lyrical writing. We like someone going side by side
with you, interviewing experts and hopefully, getting the aha! moment.
An empathetic, coach-like approach.’
Payment is £300 for 1,200 words.
Website: http://www.psychologies.co.ukLooking from the inside out
UK MAGAZINE MARKET
Tina JacksonFifty Shades
dominates the decade
NPD Bookscan have released a list of the top ten bestselling
books of the last decade in the USA.
It’s worth noting that all ten novels were adapted into feature
films, and eight are by women, with chart-topper EL James,
Stieg Larsson and Paula Hawkins the only non-American
authors on the list.
The latter pair also contributed to the Girl title trend that
ran through the decade, along with Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.
But EL James dominated the list with Fifty Shades Grey/
Darker/Freed taking the top three positions for combined sales
of 24.9 million copies. The rest of the top ten was:- The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
- The Help, Kathryn Stockett
- The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins
- Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn
- The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
- Divergent, Veronica Roth.
During the decade 6.5 billion physical books were sold
in the US, and 1.8 billion e-books. Perhaps the biggest shift
in reading habits was that in the first decade of this century
fiction accounted for 80% of book sales, while in the decade
just ended it fell to only 32%.Expansive and exploratory book-length essays
The 2020 Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize is open for entries.
The annual competition awards £3,000 for the best proposal for
a book-length essay by an author from the UK and Ireland who has
yet to secure a publishing deal.
The £3,000 prize is an advance against publication by Fitzcarraldo
Editions. The winner is also offered the opportunity to spend a
three-month residency at the Mahler & LeWitt Studios in Spoleto,
Italy, to work on their book.
Judges are looking for essays that expand and explore thepossibilities of the form. There are no restrictions on subject matter.
To enter, send a proposal no longer than 5,000 words for a book-
length essay (minimum 25,000 words). Entrants may also submit a
writing sample up to 5,000 words, which may have been previously
published.
Writers may submit one proposal.
Entry is free.
The closing date is 13 March.
Website: https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/MARCH 2020●£4.70UK EDITIONPSYCHOLOGIES.CO.UKCRITICSChampion yourselfB E AT the(^16) DOSSIER-PAGE
WinklemanClaudia
andByronTanya
helping you to rethink life
LIFE SCHOOL
LISTEN UP!
● Learn to argue amicably
● Easy ways to feel less lonely
● Return to work after a
career break
HOW TO FEEL
MORE SECURE
LOVE
YOUR
JOB!
How hypnosis can INFERTILITY
support and help
TAKE IT SLOW! HOWI FOUND ROMANCE ON A 7 - HOUR DATE
Know your triggers & rescue your relationshipsGet your emotional needs met and thrive
ITTOO LATE’S NEVER
Bound for
Greece?
Win a holiday in Greece in
the free-entry Limnisa Short
Story Competition 2020.
The first prize is a week-
long Limnisa writers’
retreat near Agios Georgios,
Methana, Greece, including
full board and accommodation. The second prize is a 50%
discount on a writers’ retreat, and the third prize, a 25% discount.
The prizes do not include the cost of travel to Limnisa.
Enter original, unpublished short stories up to 1,000 words
inspired by the picture on the website.
Entry is free. Each writer may enter only one story.
The closing date is 29 March.
Website: http://www.limnisa.com/competition