Please note new email address for Yours magazine:
yours@bauermedia.co.uk
Thanks, Tam!
Monday, 30 March 2009
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Collecting Royalties
With thanks to Chris whose blog post prompted me to write this one - something I meant to post about ages ago.
Although it's perhaps not particularly relevant to womens' magazine short story writers, I know a lot of you write articles, contribute to anthologies and also write novels. The Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) may not have a snappy name but do an important job collecting royalties on behalf of their registered members. It's a £25 one-off fee to join, and if you publish a lot it would be well worth joining.
Take a look at their website here and even if it's not relevant to you now, bear them in mind for when you hit the big time!
Edited 30th March 2009 - please see comments below this post for more info - it IS worth registering if you're a short story writer!
Although it's perhaps not particularly relevant to womens' magazine short story writers, I know a lot of you write articles, contribute to anthologies and also write novels. The Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) may not have a snappy name but do an important job collecting royalties on behalf of their registered members. It's a £25 one-off fee to join, and if you publish a lot it would be well worth joining.
Take a look at their website here and even if it's not relevant to you now, bear them in mind for when you hit the big time!
Edited 30th March 2009 - please see comments below this post for more info - it IS worth registering if you're a short story writer!
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Some good news
It feels like ages since I had any good news to report, but this week's been nice to me. I sold a story to My Weekly on Monday. Then I realised I hadn't yet sent them anything since the new guidelines came out, and thought I ought to use up my 'March' sub (they are only accepting one sub per month per author now - see post below). So I went through my 'in the drawer' folder, chose a suitable story and emailed it. I had a reply the very next day, saying my editor liked it and was passing it on to the senior editor for a decision. It seems they have managed to get on top of submissions after their break - hurray! Although I suspect the senior editor is still the bottleneck!
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Calling all London womag writers!
If you're in the London area, and would be interested in forming a writers' group focussing on writing womag fiction, why not take a look at this blog www.shortstorywriterslondon.blogspot.com Issie is trying to find other writers in her area to meet and discuss the special niche that is womag writing.
I think it's a great idea, good luck Issie!
I think it's a great idea, good luck Issie!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
My Weekly - only reading one sub a month
Please note, My Weekly will only read one submission per month per author, so you really will have to spread them out, and note when each one was sent. They must be terrified of becoming swamped again! And this does apply to all writers, whether previously published by them or not - even the Queens of Fiction such as Della Galton.
I have also heard that while they want both coffee break stories (700 words) and twist in the tail stories (1300 words), they are not keen to receive 700-word twists. Presumably these are too hard to categorise. (Personally I really like the shorter twist stories - they can often be the most beautifully crafted stories around.)
Part of me wants to grumble about all these complex requirements, but then again, as I said in answer to a comment on another post, they're the customer and we're the supplier, and its up to us to supply them with what they want, or they'll just shop elsewhere.
So there you go. Have you sent them your March sub yet? (I haven't - must fill my quota soon!)
I have also heard that while they want both coffee break stories (700 words) and twist in the tail stories (1300 words), they are not keen to receive 700-word twists. Presumably these are too hard to categorise. (Personally I really like the shorter twist stories - they can often be the most beautifully crafted stories around.)
Part of me wants to grumble about all these complex requirements, but then again, as I said in answer to a comment on another post, they're the customer and we're the supplier, and its up to us to supply them with what they want, or they'll just shop elsewhere.
So there you go. Have you sent them your March sub yet? (I haven't - must fill my quota soon!)
Sunday, 15 March 2009
If you've never been published in The Weekly News...
... then go and buy the current Writers' Forum (April) because it's running one of those Target Practice competitions in conjunction with Sue Moorcroft and Jill Finlay, fiction editor of The Weekly News.
As always, study the stories in the paper before entering. Write an 800-1000 word story, and post to WF/Weekly News comp, PO Box 6337, Bournemouth BH1 9EH. Include a cheque for £3 payable to Sue if you would like a critique of your story (and once again I'm astounded at what good value this is).
I haven't yet read the article in detail, so won't summarise it as usual (go buy the mag yourselves!) but I will mention Jill's top tip for budding writers, because I whole-heartedly agree with it:
The more accomplished writers are in contact with other writers and aren't shy about having other people read what they've written. So join a writers' group!
As always, study the stories in the paper before entering. Write an 800-1000 word story, and post to WF/Weekly News comp, PO Box 6337, Bournemouth BH1 9EH. Include a cheque for £3 payable to Sue if you would like a critique of your story (and once again I'm astounded at what good value this is).
I haven't yet read the article in detail, so won't summarise it as usual (go buy the mag yourselves!) but I will mention Jill's top tip for budding writers, because I whole-heartedly agree with it:
The more accomplished writers are in contact with other writers and aren't shy about having other people read what they've written. So join a writers' group!
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
My Weekly new guidelines - at last!
Hurray, My Weekly are open for business again. Guidelines below. I'd suggest we don't all go mad and swamp them - don't want them closing their doors to submissions again. I know you're excited, but restrain yourselves, folks!
For authors new to us, please take some time to study carefully the detailed descriptions and inspirational examples overleaf, which will help you tailor your short stories exactly to our current needs. We can only consider stories in the categories stated.
I’m afraid we are no longer able to return unsuccessful manuscripts or indeed enter into correspondence about their progress. If you have not heard about the fate of your story within 6 months of sending, that unfortunately means it hasn’t been successful. For this reason, please do not submit the only copy of your work.
Stamped addressed envelopes will no longer be necessary.
Unfortunately it is impossible to give individual critiques. The editor’s decision is final.
It is vital to include a summary of the piece. The category for which it is intended and the wordage should be clearly marked.
Please pay attention to the story lengths as they are important.
Happy writing!
PRESENTATION
As we now edit on screen, please take a moment to check your manuscript and ensure that:
*Double quotes (“…”) are used for dialogue throughout
*You have avoided excessive use of ellipses (…) and exclamation marks
*There are only SINGLE spaces between words and sentences (please eliminate all unnecessary spaces).
To enable you to see exactly where spaces and new paragraphs occur on a Word Document, go to the tool bar at the top of your screen and find the button with the “backwards” P. It will say Show/Hide when you move your cursor over it. Clicking on this will bring up these “invisibles”.
*If you are emailing your story, make sure it is as a Word attachment and not in the body of the email
*You are enclosing only a SINGLE MANUSCRIPT, not several at once and that your story is in a standard plain type of 12pt
How Do I Submit?
You can send us your work by email to :myweekly@dcthomson.co.uk
or by post to: The Fiction Editor, My Weekly, D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.
If one of your stories has been accepted already by one of the team, please mark the email for their attention. All manuscripts must be type written, DOUBLE SPACED between the lines, with accurate wordage supplied.
Most important!
For your manuscript to be considered, it’s imperative you mark prominently on your envelope or email into which category your story falls. If you don’t do this, I’m afraid your work can’t be considered.
What Are The Required Categories?
You’ll find our present requirements overleaf, not only the types but the lengths.
Will The Categories Remain The Same?
No, they will change as our stocks fill up in some areas and deplete in others. Therefore, if you have an idea that doesn’t suit our present requirements, don’t despair - it may do so in the future. However, please be guided by the wordage mentioned.
How Will I Know When The Categories Have Changed?
That’s simple, you can phone 01382 575546 to check for any changes, or request our latest guidelines by post (please enclose an S.A.E.) or by email.
Well, here are the details you’re anxiously awaiting, so get your thinking caps on and good luck!
DO’S √ DON’TS X
√ Display clear intent
X Use black humour
√ Be uplifting, have message of hope
X Describe graphic violence
√ Offer different points of view
X Construct stand-up humour
√ Have strong central characters
X Rely on continuous one-liners
√ Be evocative and atmospheric
X Include overt sexuality or smuttiness
√ Use light and shade
√ Use natural, modern dialogue
X Rely on formulaic predictability
√ Portray relationships realistically
X Construct contrived storylines
√ Introduce humour where appropriate
X Overlook punctuation/spelling
√Try to move the reader and grammar
√ Uphold family values
X Use unrealistic dialogue
√ Check all facts are accurate for a specific age group
√ Set stories in other countries
X Portray one-dimensional characters
X Use clichéd situations and dialogue
For authors new to us, please take some time to study carefully the detailed descriptions and inspirational examples overleaf, which will help you tailor your short stories exactly to our current needs. We can only consider stories in the categories stated.
I’m afraid we are no longer able to return unsuccessful manuscripts or indeed enter into correspondence about their progress. If you have not heard about the fate of your story within 6 months of sending, that unfortunately means it hasn’t been successful. For this reason, please do not submit the only copy of your work.
Stamped addressed envelopes will no longer be necessary.
Unfortunately it is impossible to give individual critiques. The editor’s decision is final.
It is vital to include a summary of the piece. The category for which it is intended and the wordage should be clearly marked.
Please pay attention to the story lengths as they are important.
Happy writing!
PRESENTATION
As we now edit on screen, please take a moment to check your manuscript and ensure that:
*Double quotes (“…”) are used for dialogue throughout
*You have avoided excessive use of ellipses (…) and exclamation marks
*There are only SINGLE spaces between words and sentences (please eliminate all unnecessary spaces).
To enable you to see exactly where spaces and new paragraphs occur on a Word Document, go to the tool bar at the top of your screen and find the button with the “backwards” P. It will say Show/Hide when you move your cursor over it. Clicking on this will bring up these “invisibles”.
*If you are emailing your story, make sure it is as a Word attachment and not in the body of the email
*You are enclosing only a SINGLE MANUSCRIPT, not several at once and that your story is in a standard plain type of 12pt
How Do I Submit?
You can send us your work by email to :myweekly@dcthomson.co.uk
or by post to: The Fiction Editor, My Weekly, D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.
If one of your stories has been accepted already by one of the team, please mark the email for their attention. All manuscripts must be type written, DOUBLE SPACED between the lines, with accurate wordage supplied.
Most important!
For your manuscript to be considered, it’s imperative you mark prominently on your envelope or email into which category your story falls. If you don’t do this, I’m afraid your work can’t be considered.
What Are The Required Categories?
You’ll find our present requirements overleaf, not only the types but the lengths.
Will The Categories Remain The Same?
No, they will change as our stocks fill up in some areas and deplete in others. Therefore, if you have an idea that doesn’t suit our present requirements, don’t despair - it may do so in the future. However, please be guided by the wordage mentioned.
How Will I Know When The Categories Have Changed?
That’s simple, you can phone 01382 575546 to check for any changes, or request our latest guidelines by post (please enclose an S.A.E.) or by email.
Well, here are the details you’re anxiously awaiting, so get your thinking caps on and good luck!
DO’S √ DON’TS X
√ Display clear intent
X Use black humour
√ Be uplifting, have message of hope
X Describe graphic violence
√ Offer different points of view
X Construct stand-up humour
√ Have strong central characters
X Rely on continuous one-liners
√ Be evocative and atmospheric
X Include overt sexuality or smuttiness
√ Use light and shade
√ Use natural, modern dialogue
X Rely on formulaic predictability
√ Portray relationships realistically
X Construct contrived storylines
√ Introduce humour where appropriate
X Overlook punctuation/spelling
√Try to move the reader and grammar
√ Uphold family values
X Use unrealistic dialogue
√ Check all facts are accurate for a specific age group
√ Set stories in other countries
X Portray one-dimensional characters
X Use clichéd situations and dialogue
THESE ARE THE TYPES OF STORIES WE NEED:
Twist In The Tale (between 1400 and 1600 words) Your Inspiration
- “clues” must not be misleading eg Film – Sixth Sense,
- positive, pleasant outcome eg The Others, The Village,
- characters well rounded, need not all be likeable eg The Usual Suspects,
- revenge must not be vindictive eg TV: Hustle, Mobile, Fallen Angels, Tales Of
- a nice surprise instead of a “con” eg Fallen Angels.Tales of The Unexpected
- ensure crime themes have emotional engagement
Coffee Break (700 Words Only) Your Inspiration
- include a frisson of excitement, hint of passion eg Alan Bennett, Radio 4 play, P.G. Wodehouse;
- character studies eg Victoria Wood monologues
- unusual, offbeat subject eg Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected, The Twilight Zone
- humorous
- conversation – all dialogue eg Talking Heads
- a moment in time
- pulse racing, without being sexually explicit
The following should be 1300 words only in length for summer /late summer issues
- emotional themes involving relationships of all kinds, to make you laugh and cry.
- engaging storylines with children at the heart.
PLEASE NOTE –
WE ARE NOT CONSIDERING ANY CHRISTMAS OR MATCH-MAKING THEMES AT THE MOMENT.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Publication
Some better news - well, for me at least - I have a story in the April Fiction Feast, just out. They've kept my title which is always nice (Play With Me). First publication for ages and ages and ages.
And someone's pointed out to me that losing Best as a market only reduces the UK market for women's mag short stories by about 3%. Which is as positive a spin as can be put on that particular piece of news.
And only a week to go till the long-awaited My Weekly guidelines are due out. :-)
And someone's pointed out to me that losing Best as a market only reduces the UK market for women's mag short stories by about 3%. Which is as positive a spin as can be put on that particular piece of news.
And only a week to go till the long-awaited My Weekly guidelines are due out. :-)
Monday, 2 March 2009
Best - not good news
Thanks to Caroline, who passed this news on in a comment under another post. Looks like the number of markets available to us is about to shrink again. I'm really sorry to hear this news.
Thought you might be interested in this - just received from Pat at Best:
I am very sorry indeed to have to tell you that, very shortly, BEST will be dropping its Fiive Minue Fiction page, and no longer accepting short stories for consideration. A small number, already set aside, are up for a second reading - and may make into print before the axe falls - however, as I don't know which will be approved, or exactly when we will stop, I am not identifying these, as I don't want to raise false hopes. I can tell you that the story which I am returning herewith is NOT under consideration, so you are free to submit it elsewhere. And I can assure you that any stories in the 'possible' pile will get a response, either way, within the next six weeks.
Please note that we cannot change existing, 'in print elsewhere' guidelines for Fiction submissions to BEST, which might, if ypu come across them after reading this, imply that we are 'back in business' for Fiction. However, this message that you are reading now supercedes any such entries in Writers & Artists yearbook, etc. We are, sadly, not going to print any more fiction.
In closing, I would like to thank you for your past submissions, whether successful or not. They have been the lifeblood of a sectionn I have gained enormous pleasure from editing. I shall miss it as much as I know you will.
Kindest regards,
Pat Richardson
Thought you might be interested in this - just received from Pat at Best:
I am very sorry indeed to have to tell you that, very shortly, BEST will be dropping its Fiive Minue Fiction page, and no longer accepting short stories for consideration. A small number, already set aside, are up for a second reading - and may make into print before the axe falls - however, as I don't know which will be approved, or exactly when we will stop, I am not identifying these, as I don't want to raise false hopes. I can tell you that the story which I am returning herewith is NOT under consideration, so you are free to submit it elsewhere. And I can assure you that any stories in the 'possible' pile will get a response, either way, within the next six weeks.
Please note that we cannot change existing, 'in print elsewhere' guidelines for Fiction submissions to BEST, which might, if ypu come across them after reading this, imply that we are 'back in business' for Fiction. However, this message that you are reading now supercedes any such entries in Writers & Artists yearbook, etc. We are, sadly, not going to print any more fiction.
In closing, I would like to thank you for your past submissions, whether successful or not. They have been the lifeblood of a sectionn I have gained enormous pleasure from editing. I shall miss it as much as I know you will.
Kindest regards,
Pat Richardson
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