The derivation of well-known words and phrases. Many familiar English words and phrases have interesting derivations, and because Britain was[…]
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Latest Posts
Bad writing for beginners
Toby Litt on bad writing: Bad writing is mainly boring writing. It can be boring because it is too confused[…]
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Publishers and authors: Behind the scenes
Do you really think publishers have authors’ best interests at heart? Most writers don’t make a lot of money. Forget[…]
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Five quotes on writing from Ian Rankin
I still think most writers are just kids who refuse to grow up. We’re still playing imaginary games, with our[…]
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Too Many Zeros is back!
That fearsome robot is just one element in the new cover of my book Too Many Zeros, officially re-released today[…]
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The collective insanity of the publishing industry
“Publishing is about she who writes and she who reads. Everyone else can lend a hand or fuck off.” Hugh[…]
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Voting now on for the Oddest Book Title of the Year
Forget the Oscars. The finalists for the 38th Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year have been announced.[…]
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A writer’s manifesto
Joanne Harris, recently withdrew from a writers’ festival because of the organisers’ unreasonable demands. At the Manchester Literature Festival last[…]
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Causes of death in Shakespeare’s plays
