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:

ados123 said...

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

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

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.

Sue McV said...

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

Marguerite said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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

Marguerite said...

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

Eirin said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Fiona said...

Sorry, last comment was from me!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Marguerite - fingers crossed!
Dee

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Eirin and Fiona. 😊
Dee

Sheelagh said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Liz said...

Congratulations, Dee and Marguerite!

This is fab news.

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Marian said...

Congratulations to everyone with good news!

Marguerite said...

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!🤣

Elizabeth said...

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.

Maisie Bishop said...

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!

Anonymous said...

@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:)

Marguerite said...

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

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

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

Maisie Bishop said...

Thanks so much, Sharon.

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

Just got yet another TPF story reject. Ah well.

Linda Casper said...

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