Saturday 22 May 2010

Writing Magazines - Mslexia

Okay, I'll say right off that Mslexia is for women writers only. While not exactly feminist, it does sometimes contain articles highlighting some of the difficulties women writers often face in comparison to male writers. And I'm not going to argue the case for or against here! Suffice to say we all have enough of a struggle to actually get published these days.

Available quarterley, either by subscription or in some shops, Mslexia is a little more literary in tone than other writing magazines. But it does offer a few opportunities to be published. Each issue contains a New Writing section for poetry and short stories. The theme is given in the previous issue and a new guest judge is chosen for each competition. There is also a Flash Fiction story in each magazine, with a maximum of 150 words and, again, the theme is given in the previous issue.

Another slot is Curious Incidents which is a non-fiction autobiographical piece of 850-900 words to a given theme. Other submissions are welcome, including Book Reviews and One I Love.

Full details are on the Mslexia site and in the magazine. The next New Writing submissions are for the annual Open Poetry Competition, closing date 26th July 2010.

Rosemary

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Still waiting for the advantages my gender is supposed to grant me, Rosemary. I remember some time ago The Herald ran an article on Scottish crime writers. The photograph with the article displayed most of them together. Ian Rankin and Stuart MacBride were noticeable by their absence but there was still only 1 man along with about a dozen women. The problem when you have an agenda - as Myslexia nost definately have - is that you interpret the stats as you want.

Having said that it is probably one of the best writing mags out there. Undoubted quality. But seeing as I am excluded I borrow it rather than buy.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

I see what you're saying, Michael, although I'm surprised about the lack of men in the photo - haven't noticed that before, unless it was aimed at highlighting new women crime writers?

Many married female writers (with children) bemoan the lack of a good wife to take care of cooking, washing etc. But that's too big a generalisation these days. And my own husband makes a fairly good wife at times!

It does still seem to be the case that women read male authors, but men don't read as many female authors. A generalisation again - but I can't see many men wanting to read all the different ...lit books out there. Nor do all women, for that matter.

It's a big subject and I guess things like Mslexia and the Orange Prize keep the debate going a while longer.

Unknown said...

The article was highlighting Scottish crime writers. I laughed when you noted the female writers needing a wife. That's one generalisation that's on the button as far as I'm concerned. I need a wife too - and being a lazy so and so I now have a (whisper it) cleaner.

as for men reading across the genders, that's one I've heard a few times. I read everything and anything, but it could well be true. I wonder if that's less true when it comes to genre fiction, with the exception of chicklit (although I have read most of Marian Keyes)? Denise Mina is one of my fave crime writers and Fiona McIntosh one of my fave SF/ Fantasy writers.
You're right its a big subject and one that will get lots of people hot under the collar.