Spam!

 I've been getting quite a lot of spam comments recently, so have turned 'comment moderation' on as a temporary measure. That means any comments you make won't show until I've approved them. I'm not censoring what people say - just checking it's an actual response to my post, rather than an 'offer' for something none of us want.

The balloon in the photo is full of hot air, which seemed relevant to the post until I started trying to explain it. Still, it's pretty and that's generally a good thing.

Tuesday top tip - the rules!

I'd like to remind everyone to read the rules, and terms and conditions, of any competition before entering. It's probably best to do that before spending and time writing something, and then again just before submission. Although they often look very much the same, then can be surprising differences tucked away in the small print.

I've come across terms declaring the entrant gives up all rights to their work simply by entering, and cases of a 'free' competition requiring the spending of money on a product or service. I do my best to check for that kind of thing, and will mention it in my posts if I find something, but please don't rely on that. Sometimes these posts are cobbled together in a hurry (don't tell me you hadn't noticed!)

Quite often there are one or more very precise rules, such as using a particular font, having your name and contact details in the header or footer, or removing anything which identifies the author. It would be a shame to have your hard work eliminated before it was read because your entry didn't measure up to something like that. Having judged writing competitions in the past, I can tell you it's disappointingly common.

This tip was (and dodgy pun) brought to you by Patsy Collins. 

If you'd like to contribute a tip to this blog, here's what to do

Three for free - plus one from me!

Free entry writing competitions

Here's a competition for historical or mythological short stories. There's an interesting prize bundle, including $1,000.

This competition is for fiction, non fiction and poetry. International entries accepted, although they're especially keen to see work from people in Aberdeen. Publication seems to be the only prize.

If you're a new writer, can come up with something involving 'timeless terrors and a flare' and do it quickly, this competition is for you. The prize is $3,000.

A competition from me!

The above photo appeared on my phone. I sort of know why, and the reason is... weird. 

If you'd like to, leave an explanation of the photo in the comments (it doesn't have to be what you think really happened, although it can be). My favourite will win a free download of any book in my Slightly Spooky Stories series. You'll need to give me your email later on to claim your prize, but please enter anonymously if you can. 

Entries must be in by midnight 10th August. On the 16th August I'll announce the winner, share their entry in a post, and tell you what really happened. 

Over To You - and some free reads

 

Please share writing related news – successes and failures, details of free entry writing competitions, updates about the womags you submit to, any other publication opportunities, and raise any queries you may have. All these things will help other readers of this blog, and help me to keep it going!

Free entry writing competition news

Here's a competition for funny poems. You can send in a written version, or film yourself performing it. I'm almost tempted to try the latter option. The prizes are book tokens.

Promotion opportunity

If you've ever been published by Bridge House, then you're able to submit your writing news for their blog and newsletters. (The blog post is an old one, but the link appeared in the current newsletter.) Thanks to Fiona for passing on this info.

My news

It's been a bit hot for much writing lately. The photos in this post are an indication of what I've been doing instead.

I'm doing a couple more those promos aimed at enticing readers onto my newsletter mailing list, and thought some of you might be interested in some of the free reads on offer. (You can, if you'd like to, download and read the books using devices other than kindles - laptops, tablets etc.) You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time.

For those who enjoy short stories, here are a selection of individual stories and collections which are free when you sign up to the authors' newsletters - https://books.bookfunnel.com/short-story-smorgasbord/d0i6qzkuhv

And this one is is for longer works - whole books or sample chapters - https://books.bookfunnel.com/freejulyreads/6nqmo5v36v

Do any of you produce your own writing related newsletter? (If you'd like to, put a sign up link in the comments and I'll put clickable links in a future post.)

Discussion topic - do you subscribe to any author newsletters? What do you like / dislike about them?

Having a lovely time!

 

We're away in the mobile writing retreat / campervan, in part to celebrate our wedding anniversary, at the moment. Depending on the weather, I'm either writing a lot or not at all. 

Free book!

My book With Love And Kisses, a collection of 24 short stories, is currently free to download. I'm hoping that making it free will lead to a few more reviews as for some reason, this book has hardly any.

More free entry writing competitions

Free entry writing competition news

Thanks to Ruth for the link to this competition from the Scottish wildlife trust. They're looking for up to 1,000 words in any form on the theme 'from source to sea'. You can write in English, Scots or Gaelic. (I confess, that despite sometimes having needed a translator for my mother-in-law, I hadn't realised Scots was a separate language!) There's a prize bundle of stuff likely to appeal to wildlife lovers. UK residents only.

Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for sending this - 

In case you can't read the small print, it says unpublished (when it comes to novels) UK residents without an agent, over 18  only. Self published is OK.

Sharon and Alyson both found this short story competition. It's open to everyone, they want up to 550 words featuring braille, audio , community, or all three. The first prize is an echo dot. Second prize is a book token. The fact I understand the second one but don't know what the first does probably says something about my age, or technical abilities. Honestly, you're lucky this blog doesn't come in the form of totally unreadable handwritten notes.

Thanks to Aly Rhodes for sharing the details of this short story competition. They're looking for a murder mystery story with a fun twist. 

I asked the organiser for clarification on the rules and have been told, 'It’s open to anyone over 18 with an original story that’s not published elsewhere."

Calls for submissions

Thanks to Liz for the info that Flametree are looking for romantic fantasy submissions for two anthologies. They pay 6p per word for first publication and 4p for reprints.