Subscriptions
It seems that entering your email in the little purple box at the top of the right hand column really will result in you getting email notifications of new posts on this blog - however they may not arrive until the following day.
My aim is to have a post every Saturday morning (around 7 UK time) with occasional posts on other days in between (guest posts, breaking news, stuff I just didn't have room for... ) If you have questions / comments regarding a previous post it's fine to make them there, or on the new one.
btw, only subscribe if you'll find it helpful and feel free to unsubscribe anytime. This blog doesn't benefit, or lose out, whether you subscribe or not.
Womag news
I'm continuing to update the submissions database - thank you so much to Alyson, Liz Sharon B and everyone else who has helped by providing information. Most of the entries relate to short stories, but I'm adding flash fiction, poetry and non-fiction when I come across these, or are sent the details.
Please do continue to pass on any market news and changes, let me know if anything on the database is wrong or inaccurate etc. (By comments on posts, emails, or however is easiest.) I can't do this without you!
Here's how to submit your 'real life' stories to magazines in the Bauer group. These seem to be well paid, and you'll be interviewed so won't necesarily have to do much writing yourself. Be prepared for anything you submit or say to be edited to make the most of anything weird, shocking etc
I did one of these once, when I first started writing for womags. I *may* have exaggerated a little in my version, and the published version contained some details I don't recall happening...
Free entry writing competitions
Thanks to Fiona for the details of this haiku compeition. The theme is the joy of nature, and there are several cash prizes going up to $500 for the winner.
Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for reminding me about the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Competition, which has a prize package including $2,000.
Other writing opportunities
Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for mentioning Fiction on the Web. They consider stories, not available elsewhere online, of 1,000 to 10,000 words and pay £15 (or $15) via Paypal.
Sharon also came across the Inkitt website and thought some blog readers might find it of interest. They run free entry writing competitions, with good cash prizes, plus publishing deals (here's an example) – but you do have to be a paid subscriber to take part. That also apparently allows you to share your work for free with millions of readers, which somehow gives it a great chance of becoming a bestseller and being made into a film.
I haven't done enough research to be able to recommend this company, but I did find a few references suggesting they're legitimate and a good platform for new authors. If you'd like to get published and feel you write the kind of thing they're after, then it might be worth taking a look. As always, read all the t&c's and only proceed if you're happy with those.
Many thanks Patsy. The woman's mags are always looking for true life stories.
ReplyDeleteThey have been placing appeals in the mags for the past 3 months.
A lot of theses features are passed around the syndicates and are published over and over again, as there isn't enough fresh ones. So the UK ones are published in the Australian mags and vice versa.
I've had a few small pieces published - a letter to my younger self and a Xmas cringes slot but as Patsy says, be beware because you may find that things in the final piece will have become exaggerated. I went on to letters instead and found that more appealing!
Thank you, Patsy. Re the true life stories, a friend of mine who writes had her 'true life' mangled somewhat, emphasis on different things, and the same person, and another, wrote pieces, as in, articles requested or anecdotes, and had them trimmed down to a short letter - two different unnamed magazines. Editing seems to be the key here: just be aware. Maybe a degree of cynicism on our part, as well, sadly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patsy, Sharon & everyone who has their finger on the pulse in relation to new writing opportunities. Re the 'true life' slot, I can't imagine anything worse than writing such a piece (especially if it had my name or photo on it!) and then having it exaggerated wildly to up the magazine sales. It would be my kind of nightmare.
ReplyDeleteNo names but I was on an IT course many years ago (not run at a college or uni) and a previous female student had had an affair with one of the male married tutors. When he ditched her, she kissed and told and it appeared in a national women's mag.
ReplyDeleteRightly or wrongly, the guy was sacked because of this.
His wife discovered he'd been cheating (as did his colleagues, family, friends and other students, plus his neighbours) his reputation was ruined and he and his wife were forced to move away.
So there are severe consequences to trying to earn a quick buck.
I also cannot imagine anything worse than the 'true life' stories. I don't read them and don't understand how women's magazine's thrive on them. Give me fiction to disappear into any time!
ReplyDelete@Patsy regarding the fictions lists, you could add the Scottish Book trust's 50 word comp. For Dec they are looking for a 50 word story on the theme of 'gingerbread'. Winners get a mug.
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/50-word-fiction/write-a-story-featuring-gingerbread
On another matter entirely, can anyone help me with this? Does Woman's Weekly publish historical stories? I don't think I've ever seen one in there, so I know it would have to be infrequently but anyone have a definitive answer?
Thanks
Alyson
Yes Alyson they definitely do because I remember some of them.
DeleteSame here - I'd run a mile from the 'true life' stories! Thanks for the reminder of the Scottish Book Trust's 50 word comp. I've entered a few, with no luck, but it's a fun thing to do.
ReplyDeleteLots to think about in this week's post. Thanks Patsy and everyone. I will have another go at subscribing now I know it works. I must have messed up last time. Not unusual!
ReplyDeleteAlison the serials in WW are often historical too.
Sorry for the mis-spelling of your name Alyson. Predictive text.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheelagh. Will a historical story with them then. Watch this space!
ReplyDeleteAlyson
Great Alyson I look forward to reading it as I love historical fiction
ReplyDelete@ Sharon - It's good (for those wishing to write one) to know there's a definite demand for such articles.
ReplyDelete@ Marguerite - Yes, editing can make a big difference, and perhaps not in the way we'd expect or would have chosen.
@ Sheelagh – I suppose it would depend on the subject material to some extent, but you're right that this won't appeal to everyone.
@ Sharon - yes there are indeed consequences to consider (as there are when behaving badly towards writers!)
@ Alyson – I don't read them either.
Do you think the readers really believe them all, or take them with a heavy pinch of salt? Maybe reading them makes some people feel better about their own lives?
I sold a historical story to WW back when Gaynor and Claire had hold of the reins. I think they do still use some.
@ Maisie - Same here (Tied, failed, found it fun to try)
@ Sue - Thanks for confirming that.
I don't think I've ever seen a historical story in TAB?
@ Alyson - sorry, missed your bit about the Scottish Book Trust. I don't want to set up a competitions database - mostly because it would be so much work! I did add one ezine though, so maybe some ongoing opportunities like this could be included.
ReplyDeleteLots of really interesting reading here everyone. My only experience of ‘true life’ in a mag was years ago when, through work, I was interviewed in a ‘my best Christmas present’ feature - I think for Prima. Mine was my first typewriter when I was 17 (still have it with all the stickers on the case!). The story was awful - claimed I was crying when I got it and couldn’t eat my turkey Christmas dinner I was so excited, neither of which I’d said. My mum said she knew it was all rubbish, because in those days we never had turkey! I was really shocked at how they put words in my mouth and considered it ok.
ReplyDeleteI got my email blog update this morning, Patsy - working well, thank you.
I think it's a good idea to pick these slots carefully.
ReplyDeleteI went for the smaller ones, such as a letter my younger self and Xmas cringes. TAB used to have an opinion page called You're telling us, and I had a few in there. They were published pretty much as I wrote them.
They have a limited amount of space for these, so there's not much room for adding words! Most mags post call outs for these, and their regular opinion pieces, on their SM pages.
I have an idea for making our fortunes; a new magazine, called Triction!
ReplyDeleteCelebrities would be invited to tell their stories (the more scandalous, the better) and readers would guess what was true, and what was fiction. Answers to be revealed in the next edition. I think we could be on to a winner here…! 😊
Dee
Excellent idea, Dee, except when I first read this on my phone I thought it read 'Friction' - guessing either might do! My little writing group get a lot of fun out of the exercise where we say five things about ourselves, two of which are true...,. Instead of using it as a trigger for writing (what they are SUPPOSED to do!), they try and guess the 'lies'!
DeleteMarguerite - your writing group sounds great! Dee
DeleteThanks for keeping the database going and up to date. Really appreciate all the hard work that goes into this.
ReplyDeleteThe 'real life' stories are the reason I don't bother even looking at the majority of today's women's magazines! So tawdry!
ReplyDeleteThanks for updating the database.
Has anyone entered the val wood secrets comp? The results were supposed to be announced on the website on Friday. I've emailed but I haven't had a reply.
ReplyDelete