Author Archives: Jenny Barden

A short dilemma

Posted on 17 May, 2010 by Jenny Barden

A short story is ‘a world seen in a quick glancing light,’ so said Alice Munro. It’s a ‘glance at the miraculous,’ according to Joseph O’Connor (in his introduction to the 1997 Fish Anthology). It allows ‘a glimpse into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis, Technique, The hard slog | 4 Comments

GW10 – A sell-out success

Posted on 22 February, 2010 by Jenny Barden

I’d like to thank everyone involved in ‘Get Writing 2010′, and I do mean ‘everyone’ – from our fantastic speakers and leaders, to the University of Hertfordshire, the VWC ‘Get Writing’ team, and every single delegate who attended. The measure … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions and festivals, Inspiration | 4 Comments

Top editors at Get Writing 2010

Posted on 7 February, 2010 by Jenny Barden

Lest you may not have heard, two of the UK’s leading editors will be at the VWC’s ‘Get Writing’ Conference at the University of Hertfordshire on Saturday 20th February… ‘Step aside, JK Rowling and Ian McEwan,’ says Richard Brooks in … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions and festivals | Leave a comment

When it all went brilliantly write!

Posted on 13 July, 2009 by Jenny Barden

A few months ago, when Lesley Eames received confirmation of a place at the annual Conference of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, together with details of this year’s challenge for the Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, she thought she might ‘knock something together’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions and festivals | 2 Comments

In Praise of the Willesden Herald, Rana Dasgupta, and the VWC

Posted on 14 March, 2009 by Jenny Barden

For all those who were following the comments on this blog with a *Sigh* just over a year ago, the event that took place last Monday evening will seem like a fairytale happy ending.  And it’s particularly apt that should … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions and festivals | Leave a comment

‘Get Writing 09′: the 3rd VWC Annual Conference 21 February 2009

Posted on 13 January, 2009 by Jenny Barden

Bookings are now being taken for Get Writing 09, featuring publisher Barry Cunningham, managing director of ‘The Chicken House’ (the editor who discovered J.K. Rowling), and leading literary agents Jonathan Pegg, newly independent from Curtis Brown, and John Jarrold, specialist … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions and festivals | 1 Comment

Well, gentlemen, what do you have to say about this?

Posted on 17 March, 2008 by Jenny Barden

The Orange Prize is a sexist con-trick Despite being disadvantaged by my sex, and at the risk of being branded a Judas in skirts, I must say that I am persuaded that Tim Lott has a point. In an industry … Continue reading →

Posted in On writing | 11 Comments

Do You Want To Be Famous?

Posted on 6 December, 2007 by Jenny Barden

‘Now I’ll be famous.’ This was the statement found in the suicide note left by 20-year-old Robert Hawkins. Yesterday, Hawkins shot dead eight people in the Westroads Mall, Omaha, injured five more, then turned his assault rifle on himself. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis, Publishers, State of the media | 5 Comments

A Response to Strange Goings-On at ABNA

Posted on 4 December, 2007 by Jenny Barden

No doubt those involved have now read the reassuring statement by the ABNA organizers that: “It is not appropriate for an author or reviewer to contact each other about an individual entry…” But one is left wondering quite what wisdom … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions and festivals, The Industry | 20 Comments

A Novelist’s Truth

Posted on 29 September, 2007 by Jenny Barden

A novelist’s truth can be another person’s lie. Tania Head has been accused of betrayal and deception. For years since the attack on 9/11 it was widely believed that she was one of the very few to have been in … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis, Inspiration | 23 Comments