Saturday, 2 May 2026

No prize!

We've been doing a lot of travelling over the last week, both in the van on foot. The weather has been (mostly) fabulous and we've taken a great many photos – quite a few work ones for Gary, lots of flowers, and some random scenery. I've even managed some writing!

Free to enter writing competitions

Croydon writers have a monthly 'writer of the month' competition for short stories and poetry. "There is no prize except the satisfaction of having put out some good writing!"


Here's a poetry competition, which will be judged by Aly Rhodes (actually there is a prize for this one - a book token.) Aly says,
 
Obviously it helps if the entrant has visited or knows Saltaire but also though it's not compulsory. If the entrant does win or is a runner up there is a presentation/open mic evening to attend - so travel distance will be a factor.

My news


I've finished the first draft of book 4 in my Little Mallow cosy mystery series! It doesn't have a confirmed title yet, but the first word is likely to be distracting or distracted. That's appropriate in lots of ways, not all of them related to the plot.

If you'd like to know where those steps lead, and join me in a virtual climb, take a look at my website post here. 

11 comments:

Fiona said...

Gosh, Patsy. I just looked at your website photos. That’s a lot of steps! Great views though and yes, writing does feel a lot like that too.
Thanks for the competition information and congratulations on finishing the first draft of your latest book.
I spent the last few days changing typeface, cutting and pasting poems into documents then converting to rtf or whatever format was required for the competitions I wanted to enter. That felt like an uphill challenge. Met all the deadlines, now to get on with some actual writing again!

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

Glad you're having a nice time pasty. Thanks for the info.
Well done to all with positive news.
Just a reminder about my last 2 comments re: FF- Tammy at beaur said they were having an 'audit'. The avalanche of rejects seems to have stopped now, anyway.
Best mag's new comp is on the theme of summer romance.
I haven't heard from Micro romance e- mag for a while. Has anyone else? I'll assume that my stories to them are rejects.
TPF are publishing more poems, so they need more.
That's it for me. April has been a very quiet month. I hope it picks up in May.

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

I've looked at the Croydon writer's website and I can't see where I can enter a story for an open to all competition.
The link takes me to a website for Croydon writers.
Reading the info on the website, it looks like that I'd need to be a member of Croydon writers to enter. I'm puzzled.
I don't think they'd accept me as a member, as I live in West Yorkshire.
Patsy's post gave the impression that it was free to enter and open to all.
If anyone can provide any further info, please let me know!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the first draft Patsy, and making it up all those steps, pleased there was a view when you reached the top …
Just looked at Saltaire’s website, it looks a fascinating place Aly, definitely somewhere I would like to visit.
Dee

Marguerite said...

Thank you, Patsy and Aly. STEPS! My goodness! Any idea how many? Too vast, I expect... Glad you are on your way the next Little Mallow, Patsy :)

Sheelagh said...

Thanks Patsy enjoy your travels & getting your steps in so to speak. Look forward to reading your next Little Mallow book, I very much enjoyed the others in the series.

Patsy Collins said...

@ Fiona - Often all the associated 'stuff' we need to do to get our work read seems harder than the actual writing.

@ Sharon – I wonder why, having started, they've now stopped. I can't be the only one with many, many, stories I've not had a response for.

Good news re poems and TPF.

I'm confused re Croydon writers. I thought I'd seen a competition which was open to all, but you're right there isn't anything obvious now. Sorry about that.

@ Dee – I confess I kept taking photos as an excuse to get my breath back.

@ Marguerite – 623 was the figure quoted. I think they missed some!

@ Sheelagh – Thank you – I'm enjoying writing it, even if it is slower going than the first three.

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

No worries Patsy. Membership is open,so anyone can join Croydon writers, but it's £30 a year. I hope you enjoy your writing and your travels.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your support Patsy in mentioning the Saltaire festival poetry competition, much appreciated

Alyson Faye said...

Thank you for your support in mentioning the Saltaire Poetry Festival Comp, Patsy, much appreciated.

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