Another day, another offbeat fashion mag initiative, right?  That might be the case, but we love the latest endeavor from the British publication of Elle.  The magazine’s annual talent contest always seeks out new, fresh voices to write for the title, but this year’s search is a little different.  The editorial team not only wants to find the best of the best young writing talent, but aid their discoveries in full-on novel writing.

While the winner will be sent to an all-expenses-paid six month online writing course at the Faber Academy (and get their original contest entry published in Elle), the magazine will be offering free tutorials to all.  The weekly online sessions from novelist Richard Skinner go live on Elle‘s site every Wednesday, and they kicked off this week with a video on the finer points of crafting plot.

When was the last time you got a free series of tutorials on anything (besides lipstick application, etc.) from your favorite fashion rag?  We think British Elle‘s online offerings are pretty awesome (and we might even take advantage of the lessons).