I’d always loved writing, right from when I was a little girl and I was sure I was going to be a short story writer or novelist when I grew up. Well, you couldn’t exactly call working for one of the big four banks in the UK achieving my dream. But reality hits and as I settled into working life, I forgot all about my early love affair with words and numbers took over.

A few years later, a fall at home ended my career in the financial sector and I found myself with a lot of time on my hands, recuperating from my injuries. While reading the paper one day, I saw an advert for The Writers Bureau – a writing course with a money-back guarantee. What had I got to lose? Suddenly those childish dreams resurfaced. I was going to be a famous novelist!

I studied the course and loved it. I soon found I was having articles and short stories published and winning writing competitions. I planned a novel for one assignment (still clinging to the fantasy at that point, even though the idea was terrible!) and finished the course. I kept on the writing path. This was it. It was meant to be!

And it was, but not in the way I’d thought. Perhaps one day, I will write a novel and perhaps it’ll sell a few copies. But my plan A has given way to plan B. And I have to say I love plan B far more than I think I would plan A. Over the years, I’ve come to realise that my role in the writing world is that of guidance – to help other writers. More than a decade ago, I became a Writers Bureau tutor myself and I found I loved helping students through the course and seeing their writing improve. I started my own editing and proofreading service a number of years ago, to help writers on their journey to publication. And now I’ve just started a series of books – A Helping Hand for Writers. The first in the series – Publication Guaranteed (Well, Almost!) is out now.

I wrote it to help writers become published. Many writers I know have articles and short stories rejected and feel disheartened, so I wanted to help them to have their work accepted. There’s information on market research, how to set work out and send it, as well as lots of useful tips, examples and writing exercises to ignite ideas and build on writing skills with the aim of publication.

The second book in the series is already in the making. It’s going to be about the mistakes writers make when they’re working on their novels, mistakes such as an over-loaded opening, lack-lustre characters, no sense of place, among others. And I already have plenty of ideas for book three. I’d better get writing!

Thank you for having me, Sue 😊

Publication Guaranteed (Well, Almost!)

Esther Chilton

Fed up with rejection after rejection? Not sure how to target the right market, or what to write about?

Writers Bureau tutor, editor and freelance writer, Esther Chilton takes you through the necessary steps to gain publication whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for a while.

Topics include writing:

•Readers’ letters

•Fillers

•Articles

•Short stories

•For competitions

You’ll find information on market research, how to set your work out and send it, as well as lots of useful tips, examples and writing exercises to give you ideas and build on your writing skills with the aim of publishing your work.

Now available from Amazon: Amazon UK      Amazon US

About the author

Esther Chilton, who also writes as Esther Newton, has been a writing tutor for The Writers Bureau distance learning college for the past ten years. As well as winning several writing competitions, she regularly has articles and short stories published in a variety of newspapers and magazines in the UK and abroad, ranging from The Guardian, to The People’s Friend, to Writing Magazine and Writers’ Forum. Esther has written two short story books and a how-to book, advising writers on how to become published.

She has also entered into the world of copywriting, undertaking work for Vodafone and national charity, Cats Protection. Currently, Esther runs her own copyediting business and loves helping others to achieve their writing dreams.

Find and follow Esther

Blog    Amazon Author page    Facebook    Twitter

Also by Esther Chilton

 ‘The Siege and Other Award Winning Stories’ is a collection of short stories, offering drama, tension, laughs and emotion. From the heart-rending story of a young girl who’s never had a friend, to some special letters to Father Christmas, and a woman running away from a violent man, each story will keep you reading on straight into the next. The collection includes prize-winning short stories from Writing Magazine, Writers’ News, The Global Short Story and Ouse Valley Writers competitions, amongst others.

A Walk In The Woods And Other Short Stories

An autumnal stroll through the woods, colourful leaves crunching underfoot, the air fresh on the face, laughter and lightness portraying a happy mother and daughter scene. But something isn’t right…

A young boy who thought he knew his parents finds out that he doesn’t know them at all.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to die and then to look down upon yourself?

These are just a few of the scenes and scenarios found in A Walk In The Woods and other short stories. There are stories to make you smile, tales to bring a tear and stories to shock as well as delight.

Following the success of The Siege and other award winning stories, penned under the name Esther Newton, Freelance writer, copyeditor and Writers Bureau tutor, Esther Chilton brings you her second short story collection. You’ll find plenty of prize-winning stories throughout, as well as some new tales to enjoy.

Launching a book?

If you are a writer, artist or photographer…If you have a poem, story or memoirs to share… If you have a book to promote, a character to introduce, an exhibition or event to publicise… If you have advice for writers, artists or bloggers…

If you would like to be my guest, please read the guidelines and get in touch!