AI - how does it impact writers?

Last week Eirin suggested how AI might impact writers as a topic for discussion. As several others expressed interest, I'm giving it a go. What do you think? Love it, hate it? Have you ever tried it for fun or to use?

Personally I'm not a fan of the kind of AI which 'creates' new art. I don't think it does - it uses combinations of work which already exists and repackages it.

Thanks to Fiona for sending the details of this competition. It's only open to women who were either born, have lived or are living in Scotland (I wonder how long you have to have stayed to qualify, as I'm still here!) and is for short stories or poems on the theme of Hope. (I'm hoping the winner writes their entry, rather than getting AI to do it.)

Magazine guidelines and submissions database

 (Sorry, I forgot to make this live - only just realised why it hadn't got a single comment!)

I've not updated my submissions database since January. That's due to lack of time – an ongoing situation! Before I spend hours I'd otherwise use for researching more competitions and other opportunities, and my own writing, I thought I'd check whether that's worthwhile. 

The responses (and number of them) to the following questions will help me decide.

A) Do you use the database?

B) Is it important to you that it's regularly updated, or would it still be useful largely left as it is, with just occasional updates, as a reminder of markets to consider?

C) If I attempt to keep it updated will you help by reporting and changes / additions you become aware of?

Please note, if you don't have an adblocker you may see adverts placed by Google. I have no control over those and DO NOT recommend any products, companies or services you may see mentioned. I'm considering moving this blog over to my website, but haven't had time to look into that. It's a paid for Wordpress site, so would be ad free except for me occasionally mentioning all my lovely books! Any thoughts on that issue are welcome.

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.

Free entry competition news.

Thanks to Polly (@pollygraceauthor on Instagram) for the following - ' Cwlwm magazine are looking for submissions. It’s my understanding that they are looking for pieces exploring connections with Wales. £200 for a successful submission. More info can be found at https://cwlwm.substack.com/ 

I've had a quick look and it seems they want creative non-fiction articles which reflect contemporary Wales. I didn't see anything suggesting authors must be Welsh.

DCT contracts - 2013 post revisited!

The following images are of posts made on this blog in 2013 by novelist Kath McGurl (who started the womagwriter blog) and the response given at the time by DCT. The images were kindly supplied by Jenny Worstall, who printed them off at the time. Thanks to both of them for permission to reproduce it.

Please keep in mind that all the below info was created at the time with the intention of clearing up confusion, and I'm making it available again now for the same reason.

Nothing in this blog makes any difference to your legal position, or that of DCT. If you have questions or concerns about your own contract (which may differ from ones held by other people), or what has been done with your work, or anything else regarding a DCT publication, these should be raised with your editor.

 The People's Friend fiction editor Lucy has made her own - new - post about contracts and republishing, which you can read here.

Back to normal

No, not me - you can't go back to somewhere you never where! The blog though is back to its regular Saturday postings and will remain so until I forget what day it is again, or something happens that I feel shouldn't wait, or there's nothing to report, or I run out of time. You now how it is...

Free entry writing competition

Thanks to Alyson for sending me the link to this short story competition. You have 2,000 words to write a historical or mythology inspired short story and win 'some great prizes' (it really is an interesting selection). 

TPF content reaching new audiences

In case you haven't seen it, there's a new post on The People's Friend website about pocket novels (PNs) being epublished and the possibility of other content becoming available digitally.

It's because of changes like this, I keep reminding people they must understand and agree to any contracts before signing them (see my last post). If a contract allows for something to happen (and some mention 'any future technology') then you must be prepared for that eventuality.

btw, if anyone has self published a PN originally produced by DCT and made it available through KU it might be wise to change that, as you can't be sure your ebook is, or will remain, exclusive to Amazon.

My news

The photos are a random selection from our trip. No - we're still not back!

I'm making fairly good progress on my third Little Mallow book and am currently just over half way through the first draft.

Copyright and contracts

I've said this before, more than once, but something has come to light which makes me think a reminder might be a good idea ... 

When offered a publishing contract, whether for short stories, poems, articles or books, it's your responsibility to read it and make sure you understand and agree with the terms before you sign. You need to keep that contract, as a reminder of what has been agreed, both to ensure you comply with it, and you are able to challenge the other party if they don't.

Any rights you give up, whether you sell them or give them away, are gone forever (unless otherwise stated in the contract).