Free entry competition news
Thanks to Fiona for sending the link to the Val Wood prize. They're looking for stories of up to 1,500 words on the theme of secrets. The prize is £100, plus a book.
Today I'mm selling my books at the first ever literary festival in Lee-on-the-Solent.
If you happen to be in the area please come and say hello - and listen to some of the authors reading their work.
Discussion point
Do you go to literary festivals, either as an author or reader? If you've got one coming up soon, please share the details.
12 comments:
Thanks Patsy. Afraid I won't be near Lee-on-the-solent today, much as I'd love to be visiting a book festival. Last one I was at was about 2 years ago in Wexford & after 2 days I came home with a stack of books & a good feel factor. Not much happening on the writing front, need to get down to it but my new puppy is absorbing every free moment. She's cute though.
Thanks for info and comps. Prima take the rights to their selected stories in their ongoing story competition.
I don't tend to go to literary festivals, as there usually isn't much on that interests me.
One in a nearby city was charging £5 for a 15 minute advice session about how to pitch your novel to publishers.
Sorry, but I think that's a rip- off. Anyone can find that info out for free. These sessions weren't given by authors.
Wel done to all with positive news.
Thank you for the comps. Might have a ggo at the Chrismas one - need to file away some words. I feel guilty I don't attend my local literary festival. I probably feel (wrongly) it's all for high literary types. I'm sure that's not true.
I've been to the last two Stratford festivals and really enjoyed them. We heard some really interesting authors talking about their work. Really well organised and tickets for the talks were not too expensive. It's become an annual treat.
On a different note does anyone know if the Best summer competition results are out? I had a go but imagine not successful as closing date was end July.
The results of the Best mag summer comp haven't been announced yet. The next one is usually Halloween, then Christmas. But they could change the themes.
That's the reason I'm not bothered about literary festivals, Marguerite .
It's not called a literary festival for nothing. But my interest is mainly commercial fiction.
For instance, I wouldn't be enthusiastic about listening to people read out sessions of deep, meaningful, artistic poetry.
Thanks for the update re the Best summer competition Sharon.
Thanks for the competitions, Patsy.
I must admit I have never been to a literary festival. But you have got me thinking... perhaps I should look out for a local one.
HB
@ Sheelagh – Of course the puppy takes priority at the moment.
@ Sharon - I thought Prima took all rights before, but there's nothing stated this time.
@ Marguerite – there is a lot of variety in literary festivals. Of the few I've attended, none seemed particularly highbrow. Maybe some individual speakers may have been, but not the events themselves..
@ Sue - I'm glad you enjoy the festivals. I find there's always something encouraging and inspiring about being around other writers.
@ Sharon – Thanks for the Best update.
I can promise you I wasn't reading deep, meaningful, artistic poetry! Actually, rather than read a book extract as most people did, I read a story that had previously been published in My Weekly and which is set in Little Mallow - the world of my cosy mystery series.
@ HB - There's no harm in finding out what's on locally and deciding if it's something you might enjoy.
I would certainly go to literary festivals if womag writers were reading their stories out!
I was interested to see the Val Wood comp. I love the idea of secrets - so might enter! I went off that comp when the 2023 winning entry was so clearly AI generated - I see they now state very clearly "AI-generated work will not be accepted".
I find the whole idea of AI-checking amusing though. I loaded one of my own stories into the Grammarly AI checker out of idle curiousity and was told it was 35% AI-generated. The cheek of it!
An annual literary festival near me always features a Crime Night, which is fun and not high-brow. This year's guests included Sir Ian Rankin, who was informative, frank, funny, self-deprecating and thoroughly entertaining.
Oops! That Sir Ian Rankin comment was from me, Eirin.
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