Are formal courses worth doing? What qualifications do you need to be a writer? We discuss:

• NEWS - lots of new opportunities at the moment. Plus Creative England, will it work?
• DISCUSSION - what should you study in order to be a writer?
• COMPETITION - Congrats to Liz Holliday who wins goodies, plus this month's question.

• REVIEWS - The Illusionist and Rare Exports

• PLUS - Merry Christmas and Happy 2011!