* It can be very reassuring to know we're not the only person who gets rejections, finds something confusing, or has doubts. It's also very encouraging when people we've heard of and know are real people, something like us, win competitions or get published.
** It takes time to find new free competitions every single week and it's very difficult to keep track of markets I don't submit to. Your support through sharing information, and leaving comments, makes a big difference. (Never worry you're telling me something I know – reminders are welcome!)
25 comments:
I don't have any actual writing news, but I'm feeling pretty happy at the moment, as I'm taking a breaak from the day job for a while (I hadn't had a break for ages), so have more time to write. I spent most of my spare time over our summer and autumn putting together a writing project that an Australian publisher is now looking at, so I have everything crossed that that works out. I'm really looking forward to focusing just on writing (and having some downtime) for a little while. I have a handful of projects (couple for TPF plus a couple of non-womag ideas) that I'll be working on. Patsy, I found your comment in the 'Writer of the Week' spot about setting goals really inspiring. It's good to set new goals and challenges, I think.
Hi, first thing to say is how lovely it was to get my People’s Friend email newsletter and see the link to you, Patsy, as Writer of the Week! A really good interview which I enjoyed reading.
Just seen your comments Liz - all the best with your writing project - and the word ‘happy’ struck a chord. I write because it makes me happy and I feel really unsettled when I don’t.
I’ve had a Christmas story accepted for TPF, but as I write mainly poetry and fiction for comps, literary mags, I’ve had my usual rejections or complete silence - that’s the writing world. Some of my prize-winning poems and stories have done the rounds before finding success, so this morning I’ve just been working on a ‘got nowhere’ poem, ready to send out again.
Wondering if any blog readers took part in the writing project, True Voyage is Return, run by Philip Holyman with Birmingham Uni last autumn.
The writing has now been made into an online anthology and 10 podcasts (also available on Spotify).
My poem, True Voyage, Returning, is in both. It’s read by actress Beth Organ in Podcast 10 (1hr 13 minutes in!) and I was really pleased with the result.
Not sure if I can add the link but will have a go.
https://philipholyman.com/true-voyage-is-return
Well done to all with positive news. I don't have much to report, I'm afraid, just a few poems in a local paper and some short stories accepted by an e- magazine.
Oh, and a 100 word creepy story accepted by TAB fate & fortune mag.
All of these are non- paid slots.
I guess April at BOWW is no longer interested, so I'll sub the story she accepted but didn't publish, elsewhere. I assumed it was a sale at the time, so it's disappointing. It's not been a good year for me.
By the way, My weekly have a current call out for photos for their letters page. It's a paid slot and anyone can submit.
I saw a competition this week but darn it, I don't remember where!
Well done all who have had acceptances. Fiona that podcast sounds amazing, I will listen to it later. I haven't any news to report at the moment & I haven't been doing any writing either, my heart just isn't i it. I'm keeping busy though & doing lots of reading & when the time is right I will return to writing, hopefully soon for as Fiona said above I feel a bit unsettled when I'm not doing any. But I love hearing of what others are doing, it keeps me connected to the writing world and my fellow writers.
I’ve been lucky enough to have had some acceptances from TPF and BOWW recently, but before those I hadn’t had an acceptance for several months and felt pretty low, so I hope that will encourage other people that things do turn around.
Meanwhile, I’m also trying a longer project, but it’s very early days and I’m not sure it’s going very well!
Congratulations to others with positive news -it’s lovely to feel part of a writing community because there isn’t much near me.
I entered the Tom Grass competition which I heard about on the blog. No success though! Congratulations to everybody who has had good news. That podcast sounds great, Fiona.
I entered the Tom Grass comp too but I haven't heard anything, so I guess it's a no. Thanks for the supportive words, Marian. A writing life has it's fair share of ups and downs but for me, it's mainly downs at the moment!
From all the comments above, it's clear that one thing is probably true for all of us - writing brings highs and lows. I relate to Liz's experience of finding happiness in writing but also to Sharon's of feeling despondent when much hard work seems not to have paid off. And I understand, too, Sheelagh feeling unable to write at all when other matters crowd the emotions. I mostly find joy and even solace in writing and wonder, now, how I managed without it for so many years. I can strongly recommend the book I have almost finished reading, 'In Writing' by Hattie Crisell which features all kinds of writers talking about how they work, how they improve, how they deal with disapointment etc. It is very interesting to hear how some extremely successful writers struggle as much as the rest of us, and how they deal with it. (Some of the opinions are directly contradictory, which just shows that there is no definitive 'right' way to do any of this!) About a month ago, I tried to get back to my current longer WIP, which I'm hoping is a novel, and of which I had already written half. Inside my head, it was the best thing I'd ever written, but when I read it back, it was awful and I was crushed. It has taken me the weeks since to calm down and recognise that this is a first draft, and first drafts may well be pretty rough. I am now reconciled to going back and trying to make it good, and this is just starting to excite me again. Highs and lows, lows and highs, folks.
I agree with Eirin in relation to highs and lows in writing but I believe if your writing brings you joy then it's never a waste. I've been fortunate to have had a recent successful submission to TPF. I attended the Scottish Association of Writers conference in March and picked up three certificates, which, given the standard of entries delighted me. I've found, for me, being part of a writing group gives me valuable support. I know these have been highlighted on this blog previously but Scottish Book Trust run a free monthly 50 word competition and Paragraph Planet on X run a daily publication of flash fiction. Good luck everyone and thanks Patsy for keeping this blog running!
*and* I believe not *but* I believe.
Congratulations to everyone with positive news. I managed to listen to the podcast, Fiona - how lovely to have your words publicly written AND read :) Although I am trying to write when I can, The Move (a book in there somewhere, maybe a trilogy... possibly a saga straddling many months...) is dominating my life. I am squeezing things in when I can and, yes, getting enjoyment from it.
I find this blog really useful and encouraging. Its always a highlight to check in and find out where people are at with their writing. Huge thanks to you Patsy for all your hard work. I had a go with the Tom Grass competition and enjoyed the process but I saw the shortlist this week so no luck for me this time. However I do feel the story may be recyclable. Every cloud! I did have an acceptance AND a publication date from Andrew Shaw so that was a great boost as I had given up on the story which had just passed the 12 week cut-off and I had written it off.
I am much newer to writing than many here so I'm learning to ride with the ups and downs but, as people here have said, there is fun and satisfaction in the process of writing.
Congratulations to those who’ve had acceptances and best of luck to those busy with projects. And a belated congratulations to Patsy for being TPF Writer of the Week.
Not much happening for me atm. I sent a story to BOWW about a month ago, and, apart from an ‘out of office’ email, I’ve heard nothing. A story of mine that was to be published in WW in June was put back to July and now it’s been delayed again until October.
Does anybody know if Best magazine are holding their summer story competition this year? I’m thinking that I might’ve missed it, as I don’t always buy it.
Michael
The results of the Best crime comp have yet to be announced, so when they do that, (it should be fairly soon) the summer one will probably be launched.
Thanks for listening to the podcast Marguerite - yes, it felt very different hearing someone else speak my words. A lovely experience.
Interesting discussion! I find writing is essential for my mental health - but unfortunately, negative publishing experiences can be very bad for it. Writing is wonderful, but publishing is a business, and often a ruthless one. I think that's why it's best to have a few different projects on the go, and not to have all your eggs in one basket, if you can avoid it.
I submit my material to a wide range of places. Most of them don't pay but I'm still pleased to see a story a poem published, especially if I've had that piece for a long time and it hasn't got anywhere. I also have a go at letters in mags, that do pay!
It’s good advice, Liz and Sharon, about having several different projects on the go. I’ve been tempted to try writing letters for magazines as a way of having something else out there to have hope for, even if it doesn’t get anywhere!
A friend of mine has had a great deal of satisfaction getting a couple of 100-word stories in TAB FF but she also sends tips to magazines. I think it's mostly £25 a go! So, worthwhile if you can think of things. I've had a total of 3 letters printed in WM but they are all things I've felt passionate about, so I guess it shows through.
@ Sharon – Thanks for the info re MW.
I started off my writing 'career' by sending letters and tips, with photos, to magazines. It's a lot less daunting than submitting a story or full length article, but still very satisfying to see our words in print.
Congratulations to those who have had successes. Reading about them gives me inspiration and motivation to continue after two recent rejections.
I’ve just bought a copy of Best and the Summer Romance short story competition is launched this week, with the theme of summer love.
Great, I wondered when it was out - I’ll grab a copy as like to enter it. Thanku. Charlie
Congratulations to those who have had acceptances. I have a story out in WW next month and got paid already, which is a first as usually after it is printed, so happy days 😀 Charlie
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