Still here!

We're still in Orkney, and still enjoying it very much, even today when the weather is showing us why people tie their sheds down here.

I haven't done anything in the way of womag fiction, but have been working on the next novel, and keeping up the blog of our adventures. Well, I'm posting every day, but we're doing more stuff than I include. The photos in this post are a random selection taken from there.

Thanks to everyone who is leaving comments, or supplying info, or both to help keep this blog going whilst I'm on my travels and not able to spend much time on it. That's very much appreciated and makes taking time away from our adventures to put up posts feel worthwhile.

Free entry competitions

On The Premises have a short story competition - 1,000 to 5,000 words, with an expert as one of the characters. First prize is $250.

Viking graffiti?

 

Free entry writing competitions

Thanks to Fiona for sending the link to this free poetry competition, with £100 prizes. UK residents only.

And thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for this - Here's a free to enter love letters competition below: CD 31st August.

https://www.valwood.co.uk/val-wood-prize

My news

We're still enjoying Orkney in the campervan. I've made some progress on the third book in my cosy mystery series (the first one is currently on offer at 99p / 99c) 

Mostly though, I've been hiking, sightseeing, eating cake, bird watching, taking photos such as the ones in this post, and blogging about our experiences.

Just to keep my holiday snaps somewhat writing related, it seems probable that those scratchmarks in the stone are actually Viking graffiti. I had read there was some inside Wideford Hill chambered cairn, where I took that shot, but couldn't believe I'd really found it. Since then I shared it with a group who know about these things, who assure me it's the real thing.

Over to you

 

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.

Feel free to use these photos as picture prompts. If you'd like written writing prompts, short exercises and story/scene suggestions then you might find this book useful.

Don't forget to check the submissions database for details of which magazines publish fiction under what terms, and how to submit.

Reporting in...

Sorry, I don't have anything in the way of womag news, nor any free entry competitions for you this week. 

I'm not sure if that's because I'm away (in Orkney did I mention it?) and therefore not on line much, or because not a lot is happening. Perhaps a bit of both?

We're having a great time exploring these beautiful islands, taking many photos and making an attempt at filming, editing, and uploading to Youtube.

I've written about some of our adventures on the blog on my website, and I'm making progress with the third book in my Little Mallow cosy mystery series. So far I've got about 9,000 words, which is nearly a tenth of a novel - except of course it doesn't work quite like that with first drafts!

What is everyone else up to - working hard or having fun? You're going to need a good excuse if you're not doing at least one of those!

Magazine response times

Womag news

Here's some information from The People's Friend about response times, and other things. I suggest reading the whole thing, but here's a snippet 'if you haven’t had an acceptance within a year of submission and you know your story was safely received, your story has been unsuccessful.' Although a year seems a long time, I very much welcome a definite cut off period.

Back in 2019 I sent a story to a magazine (not TPF). In 2020 I sent a query, as I'd not heard anything. In 2021, after hearing nothing I gave up on it and submitted it elsewhere. It was accepted, published and paid for in 2022. A few days ago, I received a reply to the query sent in 2020, rejecting the story, but assuring me it has been read and considered. I wonder when that happened?

My news

We've reached Orkney now, but I'm a bit delayed with my picture processing (too much time spent taking more!) so these are some shots taken at RHS Harlow Carr on the way up.