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.
14 comments:
Patsy thought a pic of her laptop with the latest from Little Mallow would be the perfect teaser for her website. And it would have been, but for too much Blue Curacao.
Thanks for the info Patsy. Your photo looks like a sideways on volcanic eruption but with a cellophane sweetie wrapper from a tin of Quality street, possibly the coconut one, placed over the lens :)
Against her better judgement, Patsy had installed a mood-analysing app on her phone.
“Hold the phone in your hand,” read the blurb, “and we’ll sense how you’re feeling!”
A cross between those fortune-telling fish you used to get in crackers (oh, the excitement when it curled over completely!) and those mood rings you find in seaside gift shops.
It sounded quite silly, but somehow Patsy couldn’t resist.
She felt a little cross with herself for believing a phone could detect her mood, but gave it a go, pressing the ‘read my mind’ button.
The screen turned red with flecks of purple and yellow, and she heard a click as the phone took a screenshot.
“Try not to let your feelings overshadow your day, Patsy,” cajoled the text that arrived with the picture. “Go for a swim and you’ll soon feel better. Be kind to yourself.”
Piffle and nonsense, thought Patsy.
The next day, while scrolling through the news, a pop-up message told her, “I know how you’re about to feel, Patsy. We all feel the same. Remember this moment will pass.”
She deleted the message, irritated.
As she continued to read the news, she was dismayed to see the headline: Ozzy Osbourne, Prince of Darkness, Dies at 76. She’d only been watching him at his farewell concert a week or two ago.
His crazy music reminded her of her youth, and his passing made her think about her own mortality.
Her screen suddenly filled with colour: a vivid blue, edged with black.
The phone clicked, locking away her sadness.
Thanks for the competition(s) info Patsy & as for the photo I'll have to put my thinking cap on but no matter what surfaces I can't compete with third comment there!!😁
I'm not entering the comp but I've heard rumours that a new fiction ed is now in place at MW. Well done to all with positive news.
Would it be the shadow created by leaving your laptop unattended in a darkened room? But then how did your phone take a picture of it unless you have a cat or a poltergeist in the house??
You downloaded an app to check reading age and suitability of manuscripts. When checking your latest WIP: Dastardly Deeds and Delightful Decadence, you realised you'd have to tone down the language. Either that, or the AI had gone rogue. You were going more for purple prose but it flashed violent blue.
Violet Beauregarde came to mind. Have you been dropping blueberry pie on your keyboard?
The picture of a blue screen on your phone is a tragic reminder of digital despair... bringing to mind error-riddled manuscripts submitted in error, corrupted files... and crushed dreams.
Love the blue picture. I get seemingly random photos on my phone all the time. Usually wine has been involved though.
These are all great! I'm going to have a tough time choosing – but don't let that put you off adding your own suggestion.
I'm back in the playground singing with my friends...
"Blue is the colour, football is the game,
We're all together, and winning is our aim,
So cheer us on through the sun and rain,
'Cause Chelsea, Chelsea is our name!"
Happy days...
Patsy knew her phone listened to her conversations.
Patsy had been baking in readiness for an Open Gardens event. She took her gateau to the church hall. 'Black Forest' she said, putting her plate on the table.
Her phone had then sent her numerous photos of woodlands.....at night.
But it had taken a while to work out what the blue image meant.
'I planted this flower bed with cool, receding colours of purple, lavender and mauve,' she told her visitors, 'and this is my blue corner.'
Patsy was amused when AI took things literally, and loved it when it got its technological knickers in a twist.
But when she went out later that evening she didn't ask for her favourite cocktail, 'S.. on the Beach'. Tequila Sunrise was a lot less risky!
But is it really blue and black... or white and gold?
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