I’ve written a piece for The Read Quarterly, a magazine covering current issues in children’s literature, about Megaphone: what i’ve learned so far and what the future could hold: http://www.thereadquarterly.com/megaphone-some-reflections-on-the-present-and-ideas-for-the-future-by-leila-rasheed/
Author Archives: Leila from Megaphone
BIG NEWS – Megaphone participants announced!
I’m delighted to say that, together with the editors, I’ve made the selection of participants for Megaphone. We had over sixty applications, from all over England, and I was delighted with the standard. Ten were shortlisted, and the editors helped select the final five. They are… (in no particular order!) Tina Freeth (writing and tweetingContinue reading “BIG NEWS – Megaphone participants announced!”
Nosy Crow still looking for BAME writers!
Just re-posting this blog from Nosy Crow. I echo what they say about the amount of submissions they receive and how many they can publish. Back in the day, Chips Beans and Limousines was picked up from Usborne’s slush pile – that was something like one in three thousand! But if you’ve submitted and not gotContinue reading “Nosy Crow still looking for BAME writers!”
‘Why aren’t we talking about universality?’ Bare Lit Festival 2016
A great round up of Bare Lit Fest. Glad I made it to the Sunday events at least!
Quick update! AND date of first masterclass set,
Hi everyone, I just wanted to apologise for the delay in announcing successful applicants’ names. It’s coordinating the last stages which is taking more time than expected. I will let you all know by next Monday at the very latest. In the meantime, please be aware that the following is the date for the first masterclass, which willContinue reading “Quick update! AND date of first masterclass set,”
Peter Kalu on voice, publishing and the barriers BAME writers face:
Peter Kalu is a poet, novelist, playwright and script writer. He started writing as a member of the Moss Side Write black writers workshop and has had five novels, two film scripts and three theatre plays produced to date, winning a number of prizes in the process. I interviewed him ahead of his upcoming appearance at BareContinue reading “Peter Kalu on voice, publishing and the barriers BAME writers face:”
Lee and Low: publishing diversity infographic
Lee and Low publishers in the USA have produced this intriguing infographic. Trends in the UK are likely to be similar. Note the male/female divide closing at executive level… http://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lee-and-Low-infographic.jpg http://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lee-and-Low-infographic.jpg
Bobby Nayar on diversity in publishing
“Ten years ago, I believed that working within the industry was the only way to effect change. Now I believe that entrepreneurship is the only way forward – for authors to be more savvy about promoting their books, for individuals to spot niches and move quickly to capitalize on them, and for people who feelContinue reading “Bobby Nayar on diversity in publishing”
Shortlist complete!
I have just finished making the final shortlist for megaphone. We had sixty-two applications and it has been incredibly difficult to choose the shortlist of ten, knowing that after editors’ input that will have to go down to just five successful applicants. I really didn’t know what to expect – how many applicants, what standardContinue reading “Shortlist complete!”
Book Bound retreat: grant available!
The Book Bound retreat for children’s writers (early readers through to YA, no picture books, sorry) is offering a full grant for one participant in financial need this year. Travel costs aren’t included but everything else is. Have a look here for this excellent opportunity – you have to scroll down : https://bookboundretreat.wordpress.com/booking-information/