The second issue of MUSE, the quarterly literary e-zine from the pioneering Litopia Writers’ Colony, is out now - and can be browsed above (just click anywhere on the graphic) or you can download it from this link.

Once again compiled by members of Litopia, MUSE #2 is themed around ‘character’ and follows up the first issue’s focus on crime by casting its beady eye over the romance genre, including features on everything from Jane Austen to how to write good sex scenes.

There are interviews with the likes of Charlaine Harris, David Bridger and Cheyenne McCray and the return of New York-based clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist, Dr Sue O’Doherty, not to mention another dose of cynical advice dished out by the e-zine’s infamous literary agony aunt, Granny Bates, who makes Anthony Perkins’ Psycho performance seem relatively mild.

As well as the usual raft of quick-fire author interviews and book reviews, there’s more fine short fiction from within the Colony, a look at the e-book phenomenon, writers using the world of Twitter to market themselves and one writer’s madcap attempt to read the 113 greatest books ever written.

MUSE is coordinated by an editorial team, with each of the team taking a turn in the editor’s hot seat. Taking the reins for issue two is author Emma Shortt, who is also an editor at Evernight Publishing and Etopia Press. Looking after the design yet again for issue two was Matt Laws, a designer with Leicester-based marketing and design company Rock Kitchen Harris.

Litopia members who would like to assist with the next issue should post a note in the MUSE area within the Colony.