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Saturday, 21 March 2026

 Free entry writing competitions

On the Premises have a new mini competition. This time they want two stories, but even if you use the maximum word count for both, it's still only 150. The first prize is $45.

Other publication opportunities

If you're a Scottish writer of romance novels, or a writer from anywhere writing romance set in or inspired by Scotland, then this might be of interest. Thanks to my friend Pauline for passing on the details. She's not a writer, yet is still looking out for interesting opportunities for us.

UPDATE - Sorry, I didn't get around to finishing off this post. There's been 'stuff' - you might know how it is. Still, my plan of adding stuff when I can and scheduling seems to be sort of working. 

Here are some tulips by way of apology.



28 comments:

  1. Thanks, Patsy. I've already entered the OTP comp - it was quite challenging.
    My editor at TPF said Christmas next month.... for anyone submitting.
    Alyson

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  2. Thanks Patsy and Alyson. Well done to all with positive news. I've written a piece of non-fiction for a no fee project and submitted it, but they are away until the end of the month, so I have to wait until then and submit it again.

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  3. Thanks Patsy. I've had a go at the OTP competition too. It was good to try something completely different.

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  4. Thank you, Patsy and Alyson... and Pauline for looking out for us 😊. I am thinking of Christmas and have an outline. I have another story in BOWW next month: that's two running, so, pleased with that! I've even managed to come up with a cosy crime idea for Best, one of those light bulb moments. Must be spring.

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  5. Thank you Patsy, Pauline and Alyson. Congratulations on BOWW, Marguerite.
    There must be some magic in the spring air - because it has happened (and I am thrilled to bits) first acceptance from TPF! 😊
    Dee

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    1. That's brilliant, Dee! Now, hopefully, they'll be looking out for your future submissions!

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    2. Thank you, Marguerite - fingers crossed!
      Dee

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  6. Well done everyone and that's great news Dee. I envy you! I've tried for many years at TPF with no story success.
    Please send some magic spring air this way!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sharon. It's on its way to you!
      Dee

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  7. Dee, this is fantastic news - congratulations! I think everyone remembers the giddy feelings at these special moments. And Sharon, fingers crossed for you to break through, there, too - I will continue to wait and watch for your name. On my travels, so trying to do this on my phone - apologiesif garbled. Thanks, Patsy, as always. Good luck with Christmas submissions, Alyson- I have some festive stories resting since December; I love writing Christmas stories best of all, I think. Happy writing to all.

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  8. Thanks Patsy and congratulations Dee! Hope we hear you’ve also had good news from
    PF soon, Sharon. I had a summer story accepted by them last week. Sent in a couple of weeks ago so probably scraped in to the last of the season’s stories.
    Fast forward to Christmas then! All the best with your writing everyone.

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  9. Sorry, last comment was from me!

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  10. Thank you, Eirin and Fiona. 😊
    Dee

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  11. Ah that's wonderful news Dee & Marguerite, I'm delighted for you both.

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  12. Congratulations Dee and Marguerite 👏
    Lovely to hear some good news 😊
    HB

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  13. Congratulations, Dee and Marguerite!

    This is fab news.

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  14. Ally27

    @Patsy - Thank you, as always, for all the info/tips and for the gorgeous Spring themed photos. I had to come on to tell you about a bizarre dream I had last night, in which you featured. I was attending a writing group that you were leading and you announced that for homework, we had to do a task related to something that the group studied one and a half years ago. I piped up very meekly that I wasn't in the group then, so had no idea what to do but you ignored me. I asked the man next to me, who resembled Willie Nelson and he said that the group has a team of Preachers who approve all the writing that the members of the group submit. Truly bizarre! I don't know if I would be able to come up with a story out of that.

    On a less bizarre note, @Dee - congrats on your TPF acceptance. That is fabulous news! Definitely something that I aspire to, so when you're sending some lucky Spring magic to Sharon, please could you remember my address as well.

    Congrats on any successes/acceptances and best of luck with any submissions.

    Happy writing/dreaming/chocolate consumption.

    Ally

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  15. Thank you everyone.
    Ally - I have just been out in the garden, still plenty of magic about, so I have bottled some and sent it to you…! 😊
    Dee

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  16. Congratulations to everyone with good news!

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  17. Thank you everyone for the good wishes. This blog acts as real encouragement.☺️ Ally, you must have the same dream-maker come and visit you as me. Mine are... just as convoluted and acts as real-time movies. Such rick pickings for writers but SO exhausting!🤣

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  18. Thank you Patsy, love the tulips. Many congratulations Dee it's a wonderful feeling! Well done everyone who has had lovely writing news or made submissions.

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  19. Congratulations to everybody who's had successes. I'm a bit out of touch. Is April Madden still the fiction editor for BOWW, please? If not, please could somebody share the contact details of whoever it is now. Many thanks!

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  20. @Dee - Thank you, that's very generous of you:)

    @Marguerite - I know what you mean. I've always had vivid and detailed dreams since I was a child. For some reason, they've become weirder of late. Must be the downside to being very creative:)

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    Replies
    1. Clearing out Ken Dodd's house with two other ladies? Seriously? Why?! It's like living two lives! Glad someone else understands!

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  21. Yes it's still April madden who is the fiction ed at BOWW.

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  22. Thanks so much, Sharon.

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  23. Just got yet another TPF story reject. Ah well.

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  24. Well done on the successes. Thanks for the info from OTP.

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