In Conversation: Reto Fürst
“There is so much beauty around us; it’s on us to see it. In Switzerland there is always a discussion around killing more wildlife, but I think we should feel very lucky we still have wild animals. We need to find a way to live together with them. They were here before us and we are the intruders in their territory— which also reflects back to the topic of snowflake. They are delicate animals, they need a refuge to rest, especially during mating and breeding season. They need peace and shelter. We have to understand that and support it.” —Photographer Reto Fürst
WriteCon 2018 in Review
“Aim: Silence the inner editor and let your imagination out. Start writing something, anything. Use prompts, starting with the mundane and working towards essence.” A few hot tips from this year’s WriteCon.
In Conversation: Trevor Guthrie
“These things come from childhood nightmares, and they come from poetry, from the demons and spirits whispering in your ear, from the memory of birth, from early Renaissance painting, from drunken madness, from music and from the scent of fuchsias.” Zürich based visual artist Trevor Guthrie.
Where Do I Belong? A Guide to Professional Organisations for Writers
As a writer, there’s always somewhere you belong. Crime, fantasy, romance, historical, sci-fi, YA, horror and children’s fiction, there’s room for everyone. Here’s a list of some key international, UK and US organisations, where you may find exactly what you need.
Howl-Outs: Pack Publications
Readers, friends and contributors of The Woolf are blazing a trail in the literary world. Have a look at their recent successes—there’s something for everyone.
In Conversation: Crazy Maple Studio
“We often get emails from people who tell us that they really do not enjoy reading, but playing the game made them want to read the actual book. So, the app helps people discover or rediscover their love of the written word.” Susan Platt met the San Francisco-based Crazy Maple team to talk about how a raw story is turned into an interactive experience.
In Conversation: Khamsavan Wiesner
“Human skin as a canvas? It’s unforgiving.” Zürich-based tattoo artist Khamsavan Wiesner on Japanese waves, tradition and passion.
In Conversation: Alena Sevastsyanava
“… such a concentration of saturated colours: those alpine meadows with their variety of greens, bright wild flowers, graphite rocky peaks, cerulean blue glaciers.” Zürich-based watercolourist and illustrator Alena Sevastsyanava on seeing the Alps for the first time.
Small Presses Making Waves
“I can’t imagine creating any other way. More eyes and hearts in what we’re making are always better.” We talk to Sean Platt, Sam Jordison, Joanna Penn and Nichola Smalley, who are making waves in different ways, with their imprints.
In Conversation: Murielle Doré
“Calligraphy is a way to press the ‘pause’ button, and go back to this comforting feeling of holding a pen in your hands.” Calligrapher Murielle Doré on calligraphy as meditation, and the relevance of pen and ink in the digital world.
Why authors collaborate with book publicists
Independent book publicist Helen Lewis talks about PR and marketing, and gives authors her top tips for working with a publicist.
In Conversation: Andrew Crofts
“Is this person interesting enough for me to want to spend several months inside their head?” Andrew Crofts talks about Ghostwriting, and the strange symbiosis of writing someone else’s story.
In Conversation: Philippe Perreaux
Switzerland’s Creative Commons representative, Phillippe Perreaux, on piracy and obscurity, copyright and the public domain.
Plunder: Remix or Robbery?
JJ Marsh gives an overview of those grey areas between borrowing and theft (and some words of wisdom for writers).
In Conversation: Sarah Wilson
“…Some of the big bombastic milestones were achieved during a time in which I felt very much out of alignment and so I almost dismiss them. When I do something and I feel in alignment, then I feel I’ve succeeded.” Bestselling Australian author, journalist, TV presenter, blogger and media consultant Sarah Wilson talks to The Woolf about the online gift economy, independent and partner publishing, and her writerly habits.
In Conversation: Olga Bushkova
“First is obsession, second is photography being just a tool.” Photographer Olga Bushkova talks about how photography took over from her former career in science and programming, and on looking for the normal.
In Conversation: Erinrose Sullivan
On post-digital content, and if there’s any such thing as a Zeitgeist … Lausanne-based Erinrose Sullivan is a senior marketing executive and analyst who helps businesses make sense of the digital world. She works as a strategist across various sectors including the telecom, gaming and entertainment industries.
In Conversation: Liz Eve, photographer
“My main topic for personal work was the ‘non places’ within the city, areas that groups such as collectives of artists, skateboarders, street runners, organisers of parties and raves, musicians and graffiti writers used to create different experiences. These in-between spaces, whether temporally or spatially defined, act as a magnet for those operating outside of social norms and rules.” The Woolf talks to Berlin-based award-winning photographer Liz Eve.
In Conversation: Eric Huang
“Just because the technology allows for a function doesn’t mean you should add it to your app.” Eric Huang, Development Director at Made In Me, talks to The Woolf about interactive narratives, gamification and collaboration.
In Conversation: Ludwig Wicki
“There are still two communities. The one side is classic composers who would never write film music, and on the other side there are film composers … which the classic composers think are cheap. But that’s wrong.” The Woolf talks to Ludwig Wicki, co-founder and conductor of the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra.
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2018 Poetry Prize winners
Short Story Competition Winners 2017
