Free to enter writing competitions.
Other opportunities
Jerwood Arvon Writer residencies are offering 'a fully funded, self-directed development opportunity for 12 emerging writers. You need to have a current project in fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and playwriting - and of course to meet the requirements and be able to attend. It seems an excellent opportunity for the right people.
Update 26/10/25 - Sorry for half a post! We're still on our travels and I've not been able to keep up with everything. Still, it seems my plan of putting up what I can when I can and scheduling it is sort of working.
My news. I entered the Croydon Writers competition I posted about a few weeks ago and got this response - 'Although your entry did not reach the shortlist this time, it was commended by the judges and might well be successful elsewhere. Thank you for supporting our competition and well done!'
I thought it was very nice of them to take the trouble to say something encouraging. That turned the disappointment of not winning into a mildly positive experience.
Thanks Patsy. Not for me but it looks like an amazing opportunity. Along with your atmospheric photos, it reminded me that anyone willing or able to commit to one month away in a Scottish castle should consider applying for a Hawthornden Fellowship. I went about eight years ago and it’s an amazing experience. Yes, you live in a castle with another five writers for a month.
ReplyDeleteYou ‘do your own thing’. Nothing organised except meals - we had the most amazing dinners and lunch is delivered in a little hamper to your study room. There’s silence in the castle from after breakfast to ‘sherry time’, but you can talk in the grounds and there is a beautiful modern library as well as many other rooms you can work in. Everything is done for you - laundry, cooking, afternoon home-baked snacks - you just have time to write. Of course you can go out - I went swimming at the leisure centre in Bonnyrigg (they gave me a temporary resident card to save money - address of course the castle!) and you can get the bus to Edinburgh. I know a month is a huge time commitment, but for anyone who can spare that time away from everyday life, I’d definitely recommend it. Applications will open again next year.
https://www.hawthornden.org/hawthornden-castle
I wouldn't be good on residential courses but both are good opportunities.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, I haven't anything to report, apart from a re- print of a Xmas story this week. I'm having stories published in a little e- mag. No fee, but I'm pleased to see them published. One of these is a recent TPF reject.
Congrats to all with positive news.
That’s good news Sharon, definitely something to report😊
DeleteDee
Even if there's no fee, it's still good to see someone acknowledging your work. :)
DeleteBoth ideas sound fantastic at the right time. Things are quiet for me too, but I managed to submit a 3000 word story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patsy and Fiona.
ReplyDeleteThis week, I had two stories accepted by TPF to be published in April. Flabbergasted!
Also been watching The Traitors 😉
HB
That's great, what a lovely surprise!
DeleteDee
Thanks Patsy photos are are very thought provoking. Fabulous writing opportunities for someone to benefit from good luck anyone applying :)
ReplyDeleteAbove comment was from me. Forgot to scroll down to enter name!
DeleteSorry for half a post! We're still on our travels and I've not been able to keep up with everything. Still, it seems my plan of putting up what I can when I can and scheduling it is sort of working.
ReplyDelete@ Fiona - Oooh, I really like the idea of that! As you say it's a big time commitment, so it won't suit everyone, but in theory it's an idyllic chance for a writer. I'll try to remember to post about it when submissions open.
@ Sharon - Well done for finding alternative homes for your stories.
@ Marian - Finger's crossed for a positive response.
@ HB - Well done on the acceptances. I'm not watching the Traitors (or anything except 'quizzy Mondays' when we happen to be able to get a signal, and remember, and aren't doing something else!
@ Anonymous – I'm glad you liked the photos. There will be more!
My own news. I entered the Croydon Writers competition I posted about a few weeks ago and got this response - 'Although your entry did not reach the shortlist this time, it was commended by the judges and might well be successful elsewhere. Thank you for supporting our competition and well done!'
I thought it was very nice of them to take the trouble to say something encouraging. That turned the disappointment of not winning into a mildly positive experience.
Well done all on positive news. Thanks for the posts, Patsy. A great opportunity for someone.
ReplyDeleteAlyson
That's nice Patsy. I also didn't get anywhere with the Croydon writers comp but I didn't expect to, really.
ReplyDeleteTheir theme of 'far and wide' was difficult to weave into a story.
Well, it was for me, anyway. The response I had was 'the judges enjoyed reading it' which was a courteous reply.
I didn't get anywhere with Croyden writers comp either. But it was good to receive a reply rather than hear nothing. Like you say, very courteous.
DeleteHB
There’s been so much good news recently: Fiona as writer of the week in TPF and the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s finalist – that’s great. Liz and the Scarlet Stiletto Awards shortlist – that really is a fantastic name for an award!
ReplyDeleteThe self-directed development opportunity triggered a silly memory for me. At school (work), the art teacher gave the 11-year-olds SDMs (self-directed modules). Not sure you should ever give self-directed anythings to 11-year-olds! It’s great when you get encouraging rejections, Patsy. I had one from Flame Tree Press this week (Romantic fantasy). They have ongoing submissions but they were… way out of my league. They would alright for niche… so niche:
https://www.flametreepublishing.com/open-submissions.html
What even is a Gilgamesh?
Brilliant news, HB!! Hopefully I will follow one day... might be another 5 years yet!
Thanks Marguerite. Had almost given up hope! Keep trying ...
DeleteHB
That does sound like a great opportunity for someone, not me unfortunately. I love the sound of a month in Scotland Fiona though not sure my husband would be thrilled if I managed to swing that one!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all with good news, its always inspiring to hear. Nothing to report here.
Wonderful pics as always, Patsy - I really do envy your roving lifestyle as it's something I just couldn't do in current circumstances; but I'm glad someone is doing it! Fiona's castle experience sounds amazing - definitely one to keep in mind if circumstances change. Congats to everyone who has received encouragement or publication, especially to HB who is clearly the most enthusiastic! I, too, am watching The Celebrity Traitors, never having seen the previous series, and am finding it utterly addictive - a guilty pleasure if you do guilt, which I try not to.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick query. Does anyone know if Crowvus have an ISSN number? I tried to enter it on my ALCS list but it was rejected. I've emailed Crowvus a couple of weeks ago but no response. Wondered if anyone here might know. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteISBN 9798267636889
ReplyDeleteHello Sue, this was on the back of the Cosy Romance Journal.
Dee
Dee again - apologies Sue, I have just re-read your query and you asked for the ISSN number, not the ISBN number... I should have read it more closely!
ReplyDeleteHi Dee. Thanks. Yes that was the one I tried but its not the right one.
ReplyDeleteKeep going Sue: enter in the 'books' with the ISBN, not the journals :) It took mine and just checked it's still there.
ReplyDeleteAh thanks Marguerite. I'll give that a try.
ReplyDelete