Wednesday 1 December 2021

Getting ready to prepare


December already! It's the time of year when I start thinking that I really should try and get organised for next year. To help with that, please let me know what kind of writing related content you'd like included on this blog. I don't promise to act on every single suggestion, but if a large number of people all want the same thing I'll do my best to provide it.

 Womag news

In the #PFWritingHour yesterday it was confirmed that The People's Friend 'always' want 3,000 word stories. 

For those who've not come across it, the 
#PFWritingHour is a twitter event from 11 to 12 every Tuesday. It's usually good fun.


Free entry competition news

This competition from Anansi Archives offers small cash prizes for flash fiction, poetry and short stories. The good news is that it's quarterly, the bad news that the current competition closes at midnight tonight.

You've got a lot longer for this one, which is just as well as they're looking for up to 8,000 words of realistic science fiction. There's a prize bundle including paid publication.


This competition is for Valentine's poems and offers £100 in vouchers as the prize.

My news (just in case you've missed it!)

My latest novel is now out! Acting Like A Killer is a cosy, romantic murder mystery, set in Falmouth (West country) and Lee-on-the-Solent (south coast of England). There's a dog in it, and castles, cake, the seaside, friendship, birds, flowers ... all the good stuff.

18 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats on your book release! And yes, it's great to start out the new year with goals. I try to make mine small ones so that I can actually accomplish them.

Leigh Caron said...

Congratulations on your book release. You've put in all the right elements for a great story. Does it mean I'm getting older...or more organized that I too am thinking ahead to 2022 with new goals for my writing, and cleaning projects for my home. Wishing you the merriest and healthiest holidays!

Sheelagh said...

Thanks Patsy, I love the contents of your blog as is, just the right mix of competition news, magazine criteria & info from all blog users on where they're at, what they have published or not as the case maybe. So from me its a big thumbs up and more of the same please in 2022. You wouldn't believe how happy I am to have found your blog & be part of this little community so thank you once again.

Marguerite said...

As Sheelagh has said, I think pretty much the right mix. This blog has been a wealth of resources - redirected me to two competition wins and the recent new magazine launch and subsequent expected publication, hopefully soon :) I have just registered with Anansi but can't seriously expect to see me do anything in the next 9 hours ;) I also echo Sheelagh's closing comments :)

New girl on the block said...

I totally agree with Sheelagh and Marguerite. Thanks for the Anansi link - I've also just registered, with a view to the next round of competitions. I couldn't find the link to the Valentine's Poems competition.....

ados123 said...

Love the mix of competitions and womag news, Patsy and the interviews about things like writing a serial and pocket novels have been really interesting too. Thanks for running it, as always, and good luck with your new publication.
Alyson

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations, Patsy!
Realistic science fiction...probably the furthest type from what I write.

Eirin Thompson said...

I, too, enjoy this blog very much, Patsy. It's always useful to pick up news and interesting to hear what your correspondents are up to. I have also enjoyed the guest posts on a variety of topics. Your new cosy crime novel looks like just the thing for a few lazy days over Christmas.

Elizabeth McGinty said...

Hi Patsy, I agree with others who have posted that I think you get the balance spot on, for me anyway. Well done getting organised for next year and hopefully I shall be able to get back to joining in with PF writing Hour and Writing Chat next year, shifts allowing. My plan is to read all the books on my ever increasing TBR pile :)

Linda Casper said...

I find your blog invaluable. You keep us up to date with the writing and submitting world saving us a great deal of time which is very generous of you. With this, your writing, photography and road trips can you share the key to your boundless energy?

Linda Casper said...

Anonymous Linda Casper said...
I find your blog invaluable. You keep us up to date with the writing and submitting world saving us a great deal of time which is very generous of you. With this, your writing, photography and road trips can you share the key to your boundless energy?

Anonymous said...

Hi, Patsy. Like others, I agree that your blog is magnificent. I admit I don’t comment on here as much as I should, but the information you pass on is invaluable - competitions, what’s going on in the literary world etc. Because of your blog, I’ve been able to sub to magazines I’d otherwise have no address for. I appreciate you keeping us all up to date. To you and other bloggers, Merry Christmas.

Michael D

Liz said...

I can only echo what others have said, Patsy - your blog is excellent.

Patsy said...

@ Natalie – I also plan to have lots of small goals for next year.

@ Leigh – I suppose in a way it shows we're getting older if we've learned that planning helps us achieve things.

@ Sheelagh – I love that it feels like a community. That part is thanks to all those who comment.

@ Marguerite – It's lovely to know that I've helped people towards success.

@ New Girl – I hope the link is working now?

@ Alyson – I'm always happy to host appropriate interviews and blog posts. Hopefully more people will volunteer to get involved in the future.

@ Alex – Even so you're closer than me as I don't write sci-fi at all.

@ Eirin – Obviously I'm biased, but I do think it would make a good Christmas read.

@ Elizabeth – If your TBR pile is like mine, that'll be a lot of books!

@ Linda – It could be all the cake I eat. It probably isn't, but I'm not going to risk stopping, just in case.

@ Michael – Magnificent, eh? I like that description!

@ Liz – Excellent is also a more than satisfactory way of describing it!

Anonymous said...

I think your blog is brilliant and invaluable just as it is Patsy. Always informative, helpful and supportive. I really appreciate all your updates and hearing from other womagwriters too. Xx Sharon H

Marian said...

As a newcomer to the womagwriting world, I've found a lot of useful information and support on this blog. Many thanks for the year!

New girl on the block said...

Thank you - link working now.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all you share, Patsy. Wishing you a very, happy, healthy and successful year. All good wishes for Christmas and the New Year to you and all the womagwriters who post here. Kate Hogan