Do you have any writing news?
Do you know any market news? Have you heard about any free to enter writing competitions? Or come across calls for submissions or other opportunities?
Are you researching, writing, subbing? Had any acceptances or rejections? Still waiting to hear back on outstanding submissions? Do you have a question? Can you offer tips or encouragement to other writers?
Any other writing related news, questions and comments are also welcome and appreciated. As well as allowing us all to share information, help and encourage each other, comments show editors, competition organisers and others that the blog is read and will therefore be more likely to answer my questions, or provide information for me to share with you.
Don't forget to check the submissions database for details of which magazines publish fiction under what terms, and how to submit.
Free entry competition news
Thanks to Fiona for the link to this poetry competition. I can't help with the verse, but if you need assistance drinking the prize, you can count on me!
Thanks to Fiona for the link to this poetry competition. I can't help with the verse, but if you need assistance drinking the prize, you can count on me!
My news
My latest cosy crime novel is out now!
Thank you so much to those who have already ordered, or reviewed it, those who are going to, and everyone who helps spread the word that the book is on sale.
31 comments:
Everything is very quiet at the moment for me. I have stories out there, with womags and a couple in competitions and its as if they've gone into a black hole...
Waiting to hear what The People's Friend have lined up for their existing writers as I don't fit their bursary competition!
On The Premises are running a short story competition, free to enter, at the moment. I'm not sure you've mentioned it, Patsy. Details below:
VEHICLE
For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which some kind of vehicle plays an important role. Merely using the vehicle as a simple plot device or to help characters get somewhere is not enough. For instance, "While flying home I made a bunch of new friends on the flight" isn't good enough, because the same story--making new friends--could easily be told without the plane.
One entry per author. No fee for entering. Maximum length of 5,000 words and minimum length of 1,000.
Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Alyson
And this is the link...
https://onthepremises.com/current-contest/
Alyson
At the very least, I'm Googling Dragon Ride on Wheels! I want to know where that's located.
And found it! The Dragon of Calais. That is wild.
Thank you, Fiona and Alyson. Thinking about the vehicle... we'll see...,.
Need to clear my decks a bit. I guess I'm scooping up any stories I've sent to Yours and have not been picked up. Also, another prompt to April as I have some 6 stories with her and not heard a word since I sent them spring last year. Difficult to know what to do when there's no limit and no specific guidelines out. Ah, well...,.
I wish you luck with the novel, Patsy :)
From January 2024, Yours are re-printing their stock of stories, so won't be accepting and considering any fresh fiction.
So that's that market gone.
Maybe you could try them with TPF instead?
I know some womag writers feel discouraged and demotivated and are looking at trying competitions and online fiction projects instead.
I'd try a radio play but if no-one wants it (and that's highly likely) I'd be stuck with a big piece of work that I can't shift!
My news is about the Green Stories ‘Microbes to the Rescue’ competition featured on this blog. I made it to the next round of judging, but no further. Last week, they e-mailed asking permission to use stories in an anthology. There’s no fee, unfortunately. But as the story is very theme-specific, I agreed. I’ll take any chance of a publishing credit!
Congratulations on your novel, Patsy.
HB
@ Alyson - Very quiet for e too, but that's because I've hardly subbed anything for months!
Thanks for the comp - I'll add it onto the next post so it doesn't get lost.
@ Alex – It's really impressive - breathes fire and steam into the air, and dribbles lukewarm snot onto unsuspecting tourists (guess how I know!)
@ Marguerite - long waits for responses with no cut off periods are very frustrating. I hope you get answers soon.
@ Sharon - that's a real shame. For readers as well as writers.
I'm one of those rather discouraged by the state of the womag market and trying other things instead. I don't think there are any fewer people who'd like to read original fiction, it's just getting harder to reach them with our stories. I do understand your reluctance to begin a big project without any idea whether you're likely to be successful though. With a novel you could self publish, but producing your own play would be far from simple!
@ HB - Well done! It's a shame you won't get a prize or payment, but good to know your entry was considered worthy of publication.
Thanks for letting me know your result - it's always good to hear that people have entered competitions I mention and doubly so when they have any kind of success.
Hello everyone, sorry to have been a bit quiet, there have been a few things going on...
Like most people, not much to report writing-wise. I have a couple of writing irons-in-the-fire (not Womag) and I'll tell you if they come off.
Best writing wishes, all X
To Ados 123
Dear Alyson,
Very grateful thanks for the post about the On The Premises Vehicle story comp - I have just the one!
Best wishes to everyone for 2024, may you all receive lots of well paid acceptances from grateful editors.
And Patsy, more very grateful thanks for your lovely kindly blog which keeps us all sane and optimistic.
Kind regards, Sue
I haven't been on here for a while thanks to the usual round of winter bugs (mine and other members of the family), but I realise I don't actually have anything new to report anyway! However, it's comforting (in a way) to learn that it's pretty quiet for everyone.
Just to add- Yours are not putting the writer names on their reprinted stories. Well, I didn't see any in my digital copy.
So, if you claim ALCS, remember to check the mag because your story could be in it.
If you're a fiction feast writer, be aware that they are taking stories that have been published in that mag and re-printing some of them.
There's 2 stories in the current issue of Yours.
Just realised I left an anonymous comment this afternoon - sorry. I don't know how I did that, but I blame the antibiotics!
Marian
Thank you for the tip-off about Yours, Sharon. I don't feel that it should be our responsibility as writers to check whether our work has been re-used in the magazine. I am contemplating writing a polite email to the Fiction Editor (still Marion Clarke?) to request that they let us know if/when they plan to re-use our stories - as you say, important for ALCS, if nothing else. Do others think that would be a good idea?
Maisie, Marion Clarke has left. There is no fiction editor at Yours msg now. She was freelance and was asked to quit.
From January 2024, Yours decided to re-print old stock and not accept and consider any new short stories.
The Yours fiction mag ent under in 2023.
As the publisher is the same as one as fiction feast, they are taking stories from there for Yours. The writers don't get paid a second time for a re-use.
It is up to us to check whether our work has been featured.
Sorry but it isn't up to any fiction ed or mag to inform us of when our work is in.
I've always relied on myself and other helpful womag writers to keep up to date and informed.
Even now, I pass on that info when I can.
Thank you for the info, Sharon, re Yours. Obviously, these big corporations can do as they please, but us minions, well, it would be nice to get the credit for something we'd written, eh? Re trawling through stories not taken up, I think I had sent the only few I could to TPF as I knew I would get a boomerang reply before sending anywhere else! I think I am falling down on word count at the mo - TPF seem to be very anxious to tell us they always want 2000 words plus. Oh, well... back to the drawing (writing) board.
Thank you for the clarification re Yours, Sharon.
Thanks for all the nice messages of support earlier in the month. Sadly my sister passed away after a very short illness. I hope to get back to writing in the not too distant future if even for a bit of distraction. Everything is very quiet on the womag front here too but that's okay.
Ally27
@Sheelagh I am so sorry to hear about your sister. That is very sad news. Sending virtual hugs and flowers, in lieu of real ones.💐💐💐
I'm so sorry to hear this Sheelagh. Condolences to you and your family. Take good care of yourself.
So sorry to hear about your sister, Sheelagh. My condolences to you and your family.
Michael
I am sorry to hear about your sister, Sheelagh. My condolences.
Sorry to hear you lost your sister, Sheelagh. My condolences.
HB
I'd like to add my condolences, Sheelagh. Be kind to yourself. x
I'm so sorry to hear about your sister, Sheelagh, and would like to add my condolences.
Thank you all for your support it means a lot.
So sorry to hear of your loss, Sheelagh. Thinking of you.
Oh Sheelagh, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you and the family x
Hi everyone
Witcraft, who publish humorous stories https://witcraft.org/guidelines-2/ - which I only found out about cos it was mentioned here - have taken a piece of flash of mine, to publish, - no payment but nice still.
@ Alyson Faye - congratulations!
It's always good to hear this blog has been useful to someone, so thanks for letting me know.
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