Nicole Moore, co-founder of Words of Colour, explains why she is stepping down as Creative Arts Director and outlines her future creative plans.
Estelle has not only taken the charts by storm with her single American Boy, but has impressed Joy Francis with her funky new album ‘Shine’.
Time Out feature writer and reviewer Tamara Gausi offers some pointers to budding critics including how to cope with adverse reactions to your reviews.
Susan Yearwood has launched a new literacy agency. As one of a handful of UK-based black book agents she is on the look out for talented new voices.
Read the second and final part in our series - a week in the life of a budding writer - with our short story competition winners. This time it’s runner up Mahsuda Shah.
Marsha Blake, Words of Colour’s first online journalism intern, shares her personal and professional aspirations for a fruitful future in writing.
February 2007
Marsha Blake
As an emerging freelance writer, I am continually faced with the challenge of getting my work published and proving myself to newspaper and magazine commissioning editors. That is why I have an affinity with other writers who are struggling to get their words into print.
For me, Words of Colour Productions represents a supportive platform upon which aspiring writers can launch fruitful careers. It frustrates me when I visit a mainstream book retailer and there are - at best - two or three shelves of ’black interest ‘ titles. Our poor presence in bookstores goes some way to highlight the work that still needs to be done to redress the balance in our representation.
It is certainly not down to a lack of talent among black and minority ethnic groups. So it is hugely satisfying for me on a personal level to be affiliated with an enterprise with which I share the same values and goals.
As a part-qualified counsellor and trainee life coach, I also appreciate the therapeutic value of expressing oneself through the written or spoken word in an undiluted and unselfconscious way. Writing certainly uplifts my soul!
I hope that through my internship with Words of Colour, my writing and self awareness will develop further, and that in some way I can inspire others to work hard towards getting themselves published to experience the satisfaction of seeing their words in print.
TV and film writer Veronica McKenzie uncovers her journey from shoe design to film production in LA.
Writer and performance poet Nick Makoha explains why his creative drive led to him giving up a career in biochemistry.
After years of writing, multi talented writer and playwright Maxine Quintyne-Kolaru shows why patience is a virtue.
Writer and life coach Jackee Holder provides a candid account of the trauma and joys of baring her soul during the writing of her second book.
