Thanks to Fiona for sending the link to this competition. The Scottish Wildlife Trust are looking for short stories, poems, essays, articles or letter and can be fiction or non-fictions, but must feature a real wild animal native to Scotland. There are some excellent prizes and as Fiona said, I've collected suitable ideas for this recently, so if I can find the time I'll give it a go.
Womag/competition news
Congratulations to Ruth who was a runner up in the Best summer competition - and thanks to her for passing on the details of the current Best competition. As Ruth pointed out to me, the T&Cs have now changed. By entering you grant Hearst all rights to your story - that means they'll own every entry and whether you win or not, you can't ever do anything with that story. I think it's deeply unfair and urge you to think very carefully before sending anything in.
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?
Here's a competition with categories for poetry, short fiction, non-fiction and unpublished books. There's a prize pool of $1,000.
This competition is for stories of 550 words or fewer which include a character with a print disability. The prize is an echo dot (that sounds familiar, but I'm not sure what it is) and a voucher.
My news
Yesterday our wedding anniversary, and launch day for Dependable Friends and Deceitful Neighbours in Little Mallow, the second book in my cosy mystery series. I'd very much appreciate anything you can do to spread the word e.g. sharing my social media posts, or this very short video.
The picturesque seaside village of Little Mallow is suffering a spate of robberies. Arnold Stewart, verger of St Symeon's interrupts a burglary in progress and saves the church's antique silver. His friend, schoolteacher Ellie Jenkins, is another victim. Who can be responsible? And are they also guilty of other, far worse, crimes?
Naturally, police officers Crystal Clere and Trevor Harris are investigating, and young Adam is asking many, many questions. Arnold's kind-hearted employer Reverend Jerry Grande is praying for answers, and for those involved. Cameron isn't so much interested in solving the crime as keeping Arnold safe and showing him the beauty the world has to offer. All those people are old friends of Arnold's.
His new friend Aurora is more interested in solving the mystery of Castle View. There's definitely something odd going on at the house next to Arnold's flat. Against his better judgement Arnold finds himself involved. He's even more suspicious of the neighbours to his other side. They're hiding something – he really hopes he's wrong about it being a body!
Can Arnold and his friends untangle the lies being told in Little Mallow?
As with all my books, Dependable Friends and Deceitful Neighbours in Little Mallow is available as an ebook or paperback, can be read via kindle unlimited, ordered in bookshops and requested at your library.
Here's a little film of the cute little beaky creatures.
