The next chapter
For over a year, we’ve been searching for an organisation or company who share 26’s ambitions sufficiently strongly to want to support us financially. And then one came knocking on our door.
The publishers Cyan are that company. They’ve been on our journey throughout, having published all our books and frequently offered members discounts on books at events or through the newsletter. Together with their publishing partners Marshall Cavendish, renowned for their books and partworks publications, they have now agreed to help take 26 to the next stage in its development.
Our relationship will now be that much closer, and the partnership with Cyan and Marshall Cavendish will help us develop our website, improve the events programme and continue to pursue our publishing projects. Moreover, we hope it will open doors for 26 members to express their creativity and writing abilities.
It’s hard to overstate how important this partnership is to 26. We’ve grown faster than we could have expected and that’s brought its own problems, nice problems though they are to have. So on behalf of us all, many thanks indeed to Cyan and Marshall Cavendish, and we hope that the association proves to be mutually fruitful and long lasting.
New members
A warm welcome to...
Clare McKenna of McKenna Editorial Services; copywriter and author
James Hogwood; scriptwriter
Jack Elliott;
Chas Walton, copywriter at Text Wizard Copywriting;
Jenny Brown, PR and advertising executive at Artex-Rawlplug; writer
Ann Hirst;
Margaret Ousby, freelance copywriter;
Tom Scott, freelance copywriter/lecturer; the RSA’s
Ezri Carlebach;
Duncan Reid of Paradise Mentors;
Stephen Brown, who’s Professor of Marketing Research at the University of Ulster; and last but not least,
Ann Ledgard, in-house copywriter for Marks & Spencer.We hope you enjoy and contribute to the 26 experience. Remember, 26 is what you make it.
Finally, for our new members...A big thank you for joining 26.
We started meeting as a group in 2002. We were eight individuals in search of others involved in the daily business of working with words. We simply wanted to share our experiences and ideas, and learn from one another. You can find out more about us at
http://www.26.org.uk/who.htmNews spread of our meetings, and it soon became clear that 26 could be, should be, something much bigger than just us. So we decided to open up the organisation to other writers, editors, language experts and anyone else with a love of language. We launched 26 formally in September 2003...
..And here you are. We’re delighted you’ve become one of 26. We hope we’ll get to explore and enjoy language together in all sorts of interesting and unexpected ways.
26 is open to new ideas from any of its members. We would be especially pleased to hear from you if you'd like to be involved in 26 talks, publications, seminars or other initiatives – even in a small way. You can reach us on 0870 121 13 26 or at
talktous@26.org.ukAs for your 26 quid... thank you very much. The funds we’re raising with your annual subscriptions will go towards running events (most of which will be free to members), developing our web site, creating an online message board for members, and bringing to life a whole range of other initiatives we haven’t even imagined yet.
A number of members have asked whether they can refer to 26 on their business card or in their emails, web site, autobiography or whatever. We think this is a great idea as it helps to raise awareness. We just ask that you use the phrase One of 26, followed by the web site address www.26.org.uk.
In the meantime, your friends and colleagues can find out more about 26 and join at
http://www.26.org.uk , so spread the word.
Wordsworth review by Sarah McCartney
What should we get paid for our writing? Can we put a price on our words? Apart from pornography, what’s the best-paid type of writing? These questions and more were addressed at 26’s ‘Wordsworth’ event held at Interbrand on 26 October.
As a follow up, we agreed to run an online anonymous survey for writers and people who employ us; this will collect a stack of data about what we are paid and our attitudes towards payment; We’ll publish the URL shortly so 26 members and other writers can join in. Shortly after that, we’ll publish the results.
We made our way up the magically suspended staircase which leads from Interbrand’s minimalist ground floor portal to the bright white branding capital of the world on the first floor. Someone had turned off the coridor lights and none of us could find the switch, but at the end of the hall was a room with people chatting and we think that all the visiting 26 members found their way there.
How would the British overcome our legendary reticence to discuss what our words are worth? (In public.) We did it in three different ways.
Sarah McCartney explained that the 26 events team had long been planning a ‘Wordsworth’ event, in order to get an idea of what is a fair price for what we charge and told tales of her own experience with clients from 11 years working as a freelance writer and running Little Max.
Richard Crabb from Start explained that his agency is unusual for a design company in that it employs in-house writers who are charged out to clients at the same rate as designers. He showed us examples of his agency’s work, using words intertwined with design to create some fabulous stuff which works better because of the teams’ synergy. His view – we asked him for a designer’s perspective – was that Start shows the value of words not only by paying writers the same as designers but by treating them as equal creative partners, not the people who fill in the gaps between the graphics.
Neil Fletcher from Tool Box Marketing talked in practical terms about how to negotiate rates and get paid on time. (At this point the rate of note-taking showed a definite increase amongst auduence members). Neil advised to be clear about rates from the minute we start talking to clients, to charge 50% at the start of the contract and never to feel guilty about chasing late payment; at that point it’s not their money, it’s ours.
Our Q&A session revealed that most of us charge different amounts to different clients. Sarah learns towards Karl Marx's guidance, “From each according to his ability to each according to his needs,” but explained that this backfired when a small client expanded into an international organisation – and still pays her the same rates.
The big question, “What do we actually charge?" was answered something like this:
£500 a day for writing (negotiable according to the clients' ability).
£700-£1000 a day for strategy work and consulting.
Tom Lynham only slightly flippantly suggested that 26 may be turning into the trade union for business writers.
Letter from Scotland
Dear Clan,
Weather’s variable, though it’s glorious this morning and it kept dry for
Bonfire Night. Scenery’s to die for as always. And the food’s great if you
know where to go and keep off the deep fried haggis and chups (that’s not a
typo).
We’re waiting guidance as to the best procedure for submitting project ideas
but in the meantime we’re negotiating with the Lighthouse in Glasgow to show
the 26 Malts exhibition next January or February. Will keep you posted on
this and other developments on the malts front. And whilst I’m at it, a good
bottle of malt (not necessarily a Society malt – check out The Compass Box
for designer whiskies) and a copy of the 26 Malts book from Cyan would make
a great Christmas present. And I'm not talking about for your old huntin’
and fishin’ uncle but for your bright young sophisticated friends.
Will write again.
Stuart Delves
‘Search Me’ offer
Neil Taylor’s book ‘Search Me: The Surprising Success Of Google’ is out now. It’s the latest in Cyan's Great Brand Stories series, edited by John Simmons. How do you create a supermegabrand (and a unique tone of voice), in just seven years, while claiming not to be interested in branding at all? Well, two computer nerds did it. Find out how.
26 members can get a copy for just £6.40 plus free UK p&p (that’s a 20% discount on the list price). Just send a cheque for £6.40 per copy, made out to ‘Cyan Communications Limited’, to Cyan Communications, 119 Wardour Street, London W1F 0UW. Please include your contact details and the address you’d like the book(s) delivered to. Alternatively, contact Linette at 020 7565 6120 or email 26@cyanbooks.com
Swede dreams
Last month
John Simmons was invited to Stockholm to give two lectures to the
Berghs School of Communication, Sweden’s leading college for the creative industries. The School’s head, William Easton, had seen ‘26 Letters’ at the British Library last autumn – and he thought it would translate perfectly into Swedish. And so it does, with the addition of letters specific to the Swedish alphabet to make ‘28 Letters’.
John’s lecture explained how it had all come about – the works and the thinking behind them. For those of you who weren’t in 26 at the time, it’s worth getting the book ‘26 Letters’ (Cyan Books, £14.99 – p&p free from sales@cyanbooks.com).
So 28 creative pairs of writers and designers from the Berghs School were briefed. When the posters are produced they’ll start appearing (thanks to sponsorship by JC Decaux) in sites such as bus shelters around Stockholm. If you happen to be there early next year, look out for them. And send us a picture.
26 needs you
Many hands make light work, as they say. Which is why we’re looking for people to help us out with the running of 26. We’ve grown much more quickly than we could have imagined – we have nearly 300 members now, and when we started, we were hoping for a tidy 26. So, to keep things running smoothly and as professionally (eh-hem) as ever, we need more able bodies willing to move and shake at the very epicentre of the organisation.
This is your chance to really shape the way 26 works, influencing the kind of future events and initiatives we get involved in. It’s a chance to reach out to our growing community, to make sure that words – wherever they’re used – are treated with the love, fun and skill that they deserve.
Specifically we need…
One more person to help out Neil and Sarah with
organising 26 events. If you have events experience or a contact at a friendly venue, so much the better.
Writers to support Jim with the
monthly newsletter and the new all-singing, all-dancing
web site we have planned for next year. We have a core team in place, but are still looking for a few more volunteers.
Top-notch
graphic designers who can help us with promotional materials, the kinds of thing we can take with us to potential sponsors and publishing and events partners.
Exhibition designers with ideas for themed shows that can link and bring a new dimension to our book ventures.
A
PR guru to get some press coverage to trumpet our many and varied achievements.
People who can help us attract
sponsorship.
Please get in touch at
newsletter@26.org.uk. You’ll be welcomed like a long-lost brother (or sister).
Our next event – ‘Getting Published’
When: 24 November, 6.30pm for 7pm start
Where: Faber & Faber, 3 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AU
Nearest tube: Russell Square or Holborn
There’s a great ‘New Yorker’ cartoon in which two people are talking to each other and one says to the other, “I’m writing a novel”, and the other one says, “Neither am I.” In another, a doctor is talking to his patient and says, “Well, if you’ve got a book in you, it’s best if we get it out.”
If either of these jokes strike a chord with you, you need to be at our Getting Published. Three highly experienced editors from different publishers will be sharing invaluable tips with you. They’ll be giving you the inside track on the dos and don’ts of finding agents, submitting manuscripts and generally giving your book the best chance it’s got of rising to the top of the pile.
The publishers are:
Tony Lacey from
PenguinHannah Griffiths from
Faber & FaberMartin Liu from
CyanAfter each of them has spoken, the rest of the session will be an open forum for anyone to ask questions and share experiences. It should be highly informative and (who knows?) maybe slightly cathartic as well.
Space is limited, and there’s a genuine chance of a sell out, so please respond to
Julie quickly at
twiggy.peasticks@virgin.net to reserve your seat.
Your Writing Sucks – the review
By Chris Solbé
Imagination. Inspiration. Telling human stories. Having conversations. Getting started. Getting stuck. Writing when you’re drunk. Sounding natural. Finding your own voice.
As writers, we worry about this stuff from time to time. And if we’re selling our words for cash, does this make a highly personal process even tougher? Or can commerce – and the deadlines that go with it – help catalyse creativity in the face of writer’s block?
An avalanche of glowing feedback confirmed the success of our enormously stimulating regional event in Nottingham, city of the famously re-branded wonky “N” and home to one of the UK’s largest creative communities. Sponsored by 26 and the Digital Arts Forum under the Creative Collaborations umbrella, “Your Writing Sucks” encouraged an audience of more than 50 writers, designers, marketers and students to find their own voice and turn it into something tangible.
Starting from the premise that “words are underestimated in business life”, co-chair Ben Afia introduced a panel of eight top-notch writers and consultants, from playwrights and games geeks to brand consultants and bloggers.
The afternoon’s workshop session was led by writer/performer Tim Crouch, a consultant to Unilever’s pioneering Catalyst project. With a ‘do anything you want’ brief from senior management, Catalyst invites a wide range of artists such as creative writers and circus performers, to bring fresh thinking and new modes of expression to communications in the corporate world.
“The more we restrict our creative muscles the more we feel them work,” urged Tim as the audience was whipped through a dizzying series of quick-fire writing exercises. Shaping words with one hand tied behind your back can be a strangely energising experience… and a liberating one too.
One corporate comms person was so inspired by the day that she’s already resolved to slip the corporate handcuffs and start writing for herself. Things wrapped with shouts of “more”. How often do you hear that at a conference?
26 members recommend for November
26 is now an official Amazon affiliate. That means if you order a recommended book or CD by following the links to Amazon, 10% of what you pay will end up in 26’s coffers, helping us to put on more events and recommend more books. A virtuous circle, if you like.
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‘The Meaning Of Tingo And Other Extraordinary Words From Around The World’ by Adam Jacot de Boinod (Penguin, £10 list or £6 on Amazon)A curious, compelling collection of foreign words without English equivalents. Or words that look the same, but have an entirely different meaning. Some are downright obscure, others you feel would be useful additions to our fine lexicon. In Turkish, for example, an
osurgan is someone who farts a lot; while in India, a
puti is that stalwart of the three-ring circus, a bearded lady. An entertaining mine of etymological information.
JD
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‘Rapture’ by Carol Ann Duffy (Picador, £12.99, Amazon £7.79)Duffy’s latest collection of poetry is exquisite. Written with wit, passion and technical dexterity, ‘Rapture’ is a book of love poetry, with all the ups and downs, hot flushes and cold showers of falling in love – and out again, and in again. It’s also one of the handsomest books of the year.
JS
......................................‘Gobbledygook’ by Don Watson (Atlantic, £8.99 list or £7.19 on Amazon)Last month we featured Don Watson’s incisive ‘Death Sentences’, this month it’s ‘Gobbledygook’, a scathing polemic on the invidious spread of management-ese. The subtitle ‘How Clichés, Sludge and Management-speak Are Strangling Our Public Language’, says it all. And 26 is right behind him.
JD
......................................Brainwashed’s Canonical List of Weird Band NamesThere are plenty of bands that you suspect only came into existence because someone thought of the name and thought “Hell, we’d better form the band that goes with this name”. There are a variety of naming genres here, such as Random Three Word Names (Dead Fish Prophecy), Trying Too Hard For Effect (Glands of External Secretion) and Puns That Are Either Inspired Or Lame Depending On Your Mood (Gnat King Kong). Go on, take a look, and make up your own genres.
www.brainwashed.com/bandnames/ ML......................................www.shazam.comEver been in a shop, heard a track playing on the music system you really like, but been too intimidated to ask the standoffish staff? Well here’s a trick. Once you registered on www.shazam.com, you can just dial 2580 on your mobile, hold it near a speaker and, as if by magic, the track name and artist will appear as a text message. Now how cool is that?
JD
......................................www.theonion.comAmerica’s online answer to ‘Private Eye’. A sharply written, acerbic and very funny look at US politics and preoccupations. Yes there is irony out there in George Dubbya-land.
JD
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‘The Accidental’ by Ali Smith (Hamish Hamilton, £14.99 list or £8.99 on Amazon) Shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize. Slow to get into at first but then takes you in its soft clutches just as the mysterious figure at the centre insinuates her way into the family. Always intriguing, it’s told from shifting angles and perspectives, and every so often there's a passage of sheer bravura writing.
JS
......................................‘Robert Brownjohn: Sex And Typography: 1925-1970 Life And Work’ by Emily King (Princeton Architectural Press,£22.62 on Amazon)Worth it for the title alone. An overview of the risqué life and work of graphic pioneer Robert Brownjohn, a US émigré who spent most of the 1960s in ‘swinging’ London. His career highlights include the title sequence to Goldfinger, and the cover Rolling Stones’ ‘Let It Bleed’ – the one with the band sinking into a cake.
JD
......................................SestinasGood to see the sestina receiving some attention. Not only does ‘From Here To Here’ feature a rather lovely example of this poetic form (for Mark Lane, a dead station), but now the writing website McSweeney’s is accepting submissions from readers. The form goes back to the 12th century and consists of six six-line stanzas and a three-line concluding stanza. The ending words of the first stanza are repeated in each subsequent stanza in a set pattern. And then... oh, forget the technical description and read some at
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/sestinas/TR
......................................‘The Dictionary Of Bullshit’ by Nick Webb (Robson Books, list price £9.99 or Amazon £6.99)Damn. Same old story. Someone got there before me. With sections on corporate, political, sales and marketing, and professional bullshit, this little gem really cuts through the crap. For example… ‘Vision (n.) Nobody wants a mere plan. It’s not grand enough. Make sure you have a vision. If you cannot bring yourself to call your plan a “vision”, at least call it a strategy.’ Or… ‘Facilitator (n) A man or woman with a confident or fluent manner who can organise a sales conference and charge several pounds a day without laughing.’
Don’t do it.
JD
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Kilimanjaro MagazineA new mag dedicated to visual culture and editorial experimentation, it says in its somewhat waffly press release. Still, an early sight suggests there’s promise here, with some fresh takes on documentary writing and photography. I give it seven issues, but there might just be a cracker along the way.
www.kilimag.com TR......................................
The Design EncyclopediaA lively Wikipedia-type ‘growing, collaborative resource that describes, tracks and explains culture, commerce, politics, media, sports, brands – everything possible, really – through design’. Early days, but from it I have already gained this little gem: “First slogan of Chupa Chups: ‘
És redó i dura molt, Chupa Chups’, which translates from Catalan as ‘It is round and
lasts a long time’.”
www.thedesignencyclopedia.org TR
......................................This month’s plugs by Jim Davies, John Simmons, Martin Lee and Tim Rich. These are not necessarily the views of 26, but we hope they’re not far off the mark. Any contributions gratefully received.
