Monday 21 December 2020

Happy Winter Solstice – and Christmas!

Today is the winter solstice. From now on the days lengthen and spring draws ever nearer. For me, tomorrow is the start of a new year – and it will be very welcome. 

I recently went to Avebury for a bit of stone hugging, just in case that helps make 2021 a better year than this one.

Womag news

Thanks to Sharon H for the update about Love Sunday magazine. Submissions are now to be sent to lovesundaystory@trinitymirror.com This is a non paying market, but they will often include a mention of the authors book. If submitting to them and you want this, I suggest making that clear and reminding them on acceptance as this sometimes gets forgotten.

Thanks to Jill Crawford for passing on the information that following the closure of Woman's Weekly Fiction Special, Woman's Weekly are now only publishing stories of 800 or 1,800 words. Fiction is currently scheduled until October 2021!

Jill also informs me that stories of 1,800 words are wanted for both Woman and Woman's Own.

I understand that Woman's Weekly now has a new fiction editor. I'm currently trying to find out more about that, and the requirements and submission procedure for all three publications, and will update you with any information I get.

Free to enter writing competitions

Thanks to Sheila Crosby for telling me about this crime novella competition. The prize is publication and $1,000 (Sorry if I mentioned this one before. I thought I had but can't now find it, and decided twice was better than not at all.)

This competition is for 50 words featuring a candle. There are prizes in different age groups. You can write in English or Gaelic.

There's $250 on offer for the winner of this short story competition. You have 1,000 to 5,000 words to write about an attempt to repair something.

Here's a competition for plays which work in an audio form. The prize is £2,000.

A cheeky hint

If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas, a review of one of my books (even one of the free ones, and even if you don't feel gushing praise is warranted) would be lovely.

Most importantly

Thank you very much to everyone who has commented on this blog, provided information and shared links on social media. Your support means a great deal and is the reason I continue. I'm signing off now until January (or until something amazing that I can't keep quiet about happens.)

Wishing everyone an uplifting solstice, peaceful and happy Christmas, joy for any other festival or event you celebrate, and many good things for 2021.

18 comments:

ados123 said...

Thank you, Patsy.
Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
Alyson

carrie said...

Thanks, Patsy and wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a happier and healthier 2021.

Niddy said...

Best wishes to you this Christmas, let's hope 2021 is healthier in every way.
Thanks for all the work you do in keeping us womag writers updated with all the current news.
Good luck with all your own submissions in the coming year.

Marguerite said...

Merry Christmas, Patsy! 2021 has GOT to be better than this one...? Thank you for all the information this year - and I have done several of the competitions. Looking forward to putting this year behind us all!

Helen Lowry said...

Thanks, Patsy. Merry Christmas and here's to a vastly improved 2021!

Liz said...

Happy Christmas, Patsy, and thanks for all the work you do keeping us updated here.

May 2021 be a much better year for the world.

Wendy said...

Thank you, Patsy. I really appreciate all the information you share with us via this blog. Wishing you and everyone a lovely Christmas. Here's to a healthier and less stressful 2021, and lots of successful submissions too.

Charlie said...

Thank you Patsy and have a very happy Christmas and new year.

Bendywriter said...

Season's greetings to all and good wishes for the New Year. As for 2020, I say to it 'Thank you and goodbye - you will not be missed!'

Anonymous said...

Thank you for all your efforts on behalf of Womagwriters, Patsy. Your efforts are much valued. Here's wishing you, yours, and all the Womagwriters a safe, peacefull and happy Christmas, and good health, happiness and good fortune in all things in the New Year. Good wishes. Kate Hogan xxx

Patsy said...

@ Alyson – Thank you – and thanks for all the competitions links and retweets!

@ Carrie – Thanks, and for the info you've passed on to me over the year.

@ Niddy – Things are definitely going to change, much of it for the better I'm sure.

@ Marguerite – I'm pleased you've been able to enter some of the competitions. And yes, 2021 is going to be good – we'll make sure it is.

@ Helen – I second that!

@ Liz – Let's all do our bit to make that happen.

@ Wendy – absolutely!

@ Charlie – thank you.

@ Bendywriter – I concur.

@ Kate – There's so much determination that next year will be better, that I feel people will make it happen.

Elizabeth McGinty said...

Merry Christmas Patsy and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Here's to a better 2021 for us all.

Eirin Thompson said...

Thanks for another year of writing information and discussion, Patsy. I very much appreciate this blog. Wishing you and all your correspondents a very happy Christmas and much success with writing endeavours in 2021.

Sue McV said...

Hi everyone. I haven't posted before. Just noticed you wanted to know the new Fiction Editor at Woman's Weekly. As far as I know it is Jane Kemp. At least that is who Emma Shacklock, the outgoing FE advised me to send my stories to. Hope this helps and all the best to all.

Carolb said...

Thank you for all you do Patsy, and Merry Christmas. x

Patsy said...

@ Elizabeth and Eirin – It feels like there's enough hope, positive thought and determination to make it happen, for 2021 to be a very good year.

@ Sue – You're right that Jane Kemp took over from Emma Shacklock, but I believe she has now been replaced by someone else.

@ Carol – And thank you for your support.

Karel Wright said...

All best wishes for a Happy and productive New Year. Thanks for the blog I really enjoy and learn from it.

Patsy said...

@ Karel – thank you.