Over To You

Womag news

The People's Friend have lots of stories in the shorter lengths, but not so many of 2,000 and 3,000 words, so if you're hoping for a relatively quick response, those are your best bet. Especially if they're set during the season the editor is scheduling for. Currently that's spring. 

Do you have any womag news?

Are you researching, writing, subbing? Had any acceptances or rejections? Any other news?

Feel free to use the as a picture prompt. If you'd like other writing prompts, short exercises and story/scene suggestions then you might find this book useful.

Free entry writing competition news

Thanks to Maria Kinnersley for telling me about this competition for under represented writers. The prizes include cash and mentorship. You may enter fiction or poetry.

Thanks to Sheelagh, for the following – "There is a weekly six word story competition in the Irish Independent open to all, every week. The prize is €30 & the top 5 get published every week. I have entered a few times and made the top 5 at least 3 times but the €30 eludes me. Its good fun and the entry email address is weekendmag@independent.ie for anyone interested in entering."

I'd love to hear your competition news. Have you entered any competitions, heard about any, had any luck?

Do you have writing tips to share, questions to ask, or suggestions for this blog?

Saying it with flowers

Free entry competition news

This competition from ServiceScape is for short stories of up to 5,000 words and offer a prize of $1,000. I've entered for the last three years with no luck, but I'll probably try again. There's plenty of time to come up with something as it doesn't close until November.

Nottingham Writers Studio are running a short story competition on the theme of climate change. You have up to 5,000 words and they're offering numerous prizes from £250 for first place to £15 for runners up. All winners and runners up will be published in an anthology. I made it into last years, so will enter again if I can come up with a suitable idea.

The word count and prize are much smaller for this flash fiction competition. £10 is on offer for the best 10 word story. I can't think of an excuse not to try – and if I could it would probably take more than 10 words to explain it!

Womag news

I've had an acceptance from Take a Break. The only reason this even vaguely qualifies as news is that it was my first from there in a long time, as I didn't submit during the period when they took all rights. I was pleased that I got a yes with my very first attempt under the new terms. 

This market is currently closed to submissions, but there are still some magazines which will consider work by new to them writers. See my newly updated submissions database for details.

Thanks to Jenny Worstall for alerting me to the fact that People's Friend Pocket Novels are now wanted in a slightly shorter length. Guidelines are here.

If you find any of my blog posts useful, encouraging or interesting PLEASE leave a comment. This isn't just to make me feel it was worthwhile posting, although it does do that. The main reason I ask for comments is that it shows the blog is read. That makes it more likely that magazine editors, competition organisers etc will answer my queries and share information with me. In turn that allows me to make this blog more useful for everyone who reads it.

The flowers are to say thank you to all those who do take the trouble to leave a comment and/or supply with information which I can share.

Off to a good start

Free entry competition news

If you saw yesterday's post you'll already know I plan to enter more free to enter competitions this year. (If you missed it, please consider reading and voting for this story of mine. You'll need to provide your email and verify your vote, but I'll really appreciate you making the effort.) I also entered the fable competition which I mentioned a few posts back. As I'm aiming for at least 2 entries a month, I feel I'm off to a good start!

I'm taking a two pronged approach. First I'll be entering more of those I'd blog about anyway, and secondly I'll be searching for even more free contests to enter. If you hear of any, please let me know via a link as a comment, email, tweet – however you like. 

Thanks again to Alyson, who regularly passes on competition links. Her latest find is this flash fiction competition which offers $200 as its top prize. Winning and shortlisted entries will be published. I intend to try this one.

Creative Writing Ink run various competitions, plus provide a list of others you can enter, both free and with entry fees. They currently have a free to enter poetry competition, with a £10 Amazon voucher as the prize. Poetry isn't really my thing, so I'll probably give this one a miss.

The Anansi Archive offer quarterly competitions for poetry, flash fiction (up to 500 words) and short fiction (up to 3,000 words). All have cash prizes and all are free to enter. I entered last time with no luck, but I'll have another go.

This competition is for thrillers and offers $20,000 as the top prize! It's another of those where your popularity and social media reach play a part. I see why the organisers do this, but I wish they wouldn't. 

Fusili Writing have another flash fiction competition. They have an unusual way of working – they wait until they have 100 entries, then pick their favourite to publish and promote on social media. That glory is the only prize, but writing flash fiction is a great exercise and they offer some advice on the site. There's also the option to get paid feedback. I've not seen an example of that, so don't know how useful it would be, but £3 isn't a lot to risk if you feel a few pointers might be helpful

Womag news

I've heard from Siobhan at Seven Days. Cheques for published stories weren't sent out before Christmas as she'd thought, but she's been assured that this will still happen.

In case you're wondering, there's no significance to the tulips, beyond my usual excuse that you could use the photos as writing prompts. Really they're just there because I like them so much and the post looked dull without any images.

Happy New Year and help requested!

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2022 is going well so far!

Have you made and writing plans or resolutions? One of mine is to enter more of the free to enter competitions I blog about.

Last year my plans included photographing and climbing more mountains and publishing this book. That went so well, I started this year full of confidence.

I got carried away and entered this one without realising it was one of those annoying ones decided by votes, not judges. If you like my story, I'd really appreciate a vote! (You'll be asked to give your email and click on a verification link).

Update on Seven Days

Siobhan Kielty and I have been in communication about Seven Days magazine. She has asked me to pass on the latest information via this blog. Sadly she's confirmed that, "the publisher of SevenDays has decided not to continue with the magazine in its current format." However there is a small glimmer of hope as "In the new year, the magazine will be available digitally in the short term while its direction / closure is decided."

I asked that if there was anything we could do to help secure the magazine's future and Siobhan replied, "I’m doing everything I can to resurrect it in one for or another! I’m hopeful there will be a place for it somewhere. I’ll let you know if there’s any news."

In response to my earlier query about payments she said, "I escalated the request and cheques should have been sent out to all writers." She assures me that all writers whose stories have been published will be paid. She will personally check with the accounts manager on the 3rd that this is happening.

Any work which has not been published, whether accepted or not, won't now be used or "may be freely submitted elsewhere with all rights offered."

Siobhan added "Although I'm really disappointed that the magazine won't continue, it was outside of editorial control. It was well received but I suppose it's exceptionally tough out there at the moment. I for one was proud of SevenDays and loved the fiction. At least some people had a chance to get their work in print (and they WILL be paid!)

I’ll keep you posted on any lifelines for SevenDays. Thanks again; your fiction army made the magazine really good. I’ll be in touch on 3^rd. All the best, happy new year."

 

 

The inbetween time

It's a funny time of year, isn't it? Some people take time off writing now as they have family commitments or are otherwise extra busy, some are enjoying a welcome break from work and using the time to get lots of writing done, and yet others are just eating cheese, reading and aren't 100% sure what day it is.

How about you? Are you writing? Have you made any writing related New Year resolutions or plans? Personally I'm not writing, but I am doing writing related admin and making plans for 2022 – and eating cheese, obviously!

Womag news

Sadly it seems that Seven Days magazine will not continue. It feels like we're one step forward and two back with womag markets, doesn't it?

Free entry competition news

OK, it's not really news as I think I've mentioned all these in previous posts, but here's a bunch of free entry writing competitions. I think that should be enough to keep you busy until 2022!

The Red Dragon play writing competition offers a £1,000 prize. And there's £500 on offer to the writer of a one act play in this one.

This competition offers paid publication, plus lots of other stuff for science fiction of up to 8,000 words.

You could win an Arvon residential course with this short story competition.

There's £1,000 in vouchers on offer for the winner of this poetry competition. And this poetry competition has a top prize of $2,000.

The prize for this fable writing competition is £500.

This one is for short stories, songs, poetry or visual art and offers a top prize of $1,000 and here's one which offers £1,000 and engraved whisky glasses to the winner.

Why does nobody ever offer cheese as a prize?  I like cheese. And cake. And cheesecake.

A happy little writing challenge

 Happy winter solstice!

Here's the nearest I think a blog can get to party games ... I challenge you to comment with a cheery festive/Christmas/winter type greeting which is different from mine above and from any comments already posted.

Once you've done that you can help yourself to a virtual mince pie or cranberry tart, plus your drink of choice.

Over to You!

Do you have any womag news?

Are you researching, writing, subbing? Had any acceptances or rejections? Any other news?

Feel free to use the as a picture prompt. If you'd like other writing prompts, short exercises and story/scene suggestions then you might find this book useful.

I'd love to hear your competition news.

Here's a free short story competition with a $250 prize.

And this is "a free-to-enter poetry and art contest with over $10,000 in cash prizes, paid via PayPal. This is a huge opportunity for any and all writers or artists".

Have you entered any writing comps? Had any luck? Heard about interesting contests? Got any tips to pass on? (Although I only feature free to enter competitions in my posts it's fine to share news about other competitions too.)

Do you have writing tips to share, questions to ask, or suggestions for this blog?

Cake!

Did the blog post title grab your attention? It would have worked on me! 

It's not just click bait, I promise. There is a relevance to writing. I have a tendency to include lemon drizzle* in my stories – they're a kind of delicious citrusy motif.

Do you do anything similar? Maybe a lot of your characters drive the same kind of car, or ginger cats often lurk ready to jump into the action, or there's a particular name you frequently use?

* Other cakes are available. I know – I've done the research!

Womag news

Thanks to Jane Ayres for passing on the ISSN for Seven Days. It's 2753-1295. I had asked ALCS, but they told me they couldn't find it so it was safe to assume there wasn't one!

Free entry writing competition news

Secret Attic have a monthly short story competition which is free to enter, however the prize of a $20 Amazon voucher is only awarded to members and membership isn't free. Winning stories will be published, whether you're a member or not, but you may opt out of this if you wish.

There's also a 'weekly write' which again is free to enter, but only members receive the cash prize. All winning entries will be published.

This competition is for fables of up to 350 words, written in the style of Robert Louis Stevenson. The prize is £100 and you've got until early April next year to enter.

If you're a playwright with east or south east Asian heritage, then take a look at this competition which offers a £1,000 prize. I'm not massively keen on competitions which are only open to a restricted group of people, but I accept there are often good reasons for them.

There are prizes on offer for this poetry competition. They don't say what they are, other than that they'll be 'exciting experiences'. As the competition theme is 'A Life After Conflict' I find that just a bit alarming! 

This competition is for flash fiction with a twist. At first I assumed they meant a twist ending, but then I thought about the picture and blog name and now I'm not absolutely sure about that. Anyway, the prize is publication and promotion on social media. If you wish you can pay £3 for feedback on your entry.

Getting ready to prepare

December already! It's the time of year when I start thinking that I really should try and get organised for next year. To help with that, please let me know what kind of writing related content you'd like included on this blog. I don't promise to act on every single suggestion, but if a large number of people all want the same thing I'll do my best to provide it.

 Womag news

In the #PFWritingHour yesterday it was confirmed that The People's Friend 'always' want 3,000 word stories. 

For those who've not come across it, the #PFWritingHour is a twitter event from 11 to 12 every Tuesday. It's usually good fun.

Free entry competition news

This competition from Anansi Archives offers small cash prizes for flash fiction, poetry and short stories. The good news is that it's quarterly, the bad news that the current competition closes at midnight tonight.

You've got a lot longer for this one, which is just as well as they're looking for up to 8,000 words of realistic science fiction. There's a prize bundle including paid publication.

This competition is for Valentine's poems and offers £100 in vouchers as the prize.

My news (just in case you've missed it!)

My latest novel is now out! Acting Like A Killer is a cosy, romantic murder mystery, set in Falmouth (West country) and Lee-on-the-Solent (south coast of England). There's a dog in it, and castles, cake, the seaside, friendship, birds, flowers ... all the good stuff.

No more rehearsals

Free entry competition news

You'll probably have heard the phrases 'life is not a dress rehearsal' and 'there is no planet B'. Both came to mind when I read about the latest competition from Nottingham Writers Studio. You have up to 5,000 words to write your story. There are a range of prizes from £250 for the winner to £15 for highly recommended. As well as the money they'll each get a year's free membership of NWS and have their story published in an anthology. (I was a runner up last year last year.)

My news

My romantic murder mystery Acting Like A Killer is out today! Thank you so much to everyone who has helped (or is about to help) with the promotion for this and/or ordered a copy. As always your support is greatly appreciated.

The ebook will remain at the introductory price of £1.99 ($2.99) for a few more days and then go up to the regular price of £2.99 ($3.99).  It can also be read through kindle unlimited. The paperback version is now available too. You can get it from Amazon, or order through bookshops and libraries. If you do read a copy, I really hope you enjoy it.

I'm no actor, but I have made a video of me reading the first few pages.

Thanks, maybe, yes, no and please.

Womag news

Several people have asked about the rejection policy with Seven Days, magazine, so I asked Siobhan. Her (very swift) reply was – "I’m not sending out rejection responses so 2 months / 60 days would be the cut-off for assuming and sending elsewhere." She added "the fiction content has now increased – which can only be good news." 

Thanks, Siobhan. It's so much better to know where we stand within a reasonable period of time than to wait and wait and wait and still be left wondering.

Free entry competition news

For this competition from On The Premises, you're asked for 25-50 words on holiday stress. The first prize is $35. I'm very tempted to have a go at that one.

Thanks to Alan Barker for letting me know about this crime writing competition. Stories can be up to 2,000 words and the top prize is £1,000 plus some nice whisky glasses. I'm definitely entering that!

Here's what seems to me to be an odd poetry competition. Entries are to be inspired by something within the TV show Twin Peaks, which I've never seen so it makes no sense to me. Possibly American spellings, such as 'donut' will help. Still, as with all the competitions I feature, it's free, they seem to like a bit of alliteration, you can have up to three goes and there's a £75 prize. I'll probably give it a miss, but if I do enter I'll craft couplets concerning my curious compulsion for chocolate cake.

A request from me

My romantic murder mystery Acting Like A Killer is officially released on Sunday (it can be ordered now). Anything you can do to help support it will be very welcome. 

That support includes, but isn't limited to, buying a copy of the ebook or paperback*, asking your library to stock it, or borrowing through kindle unlimited. If you do read and enjoy it, a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads would be wonderful.

Also sharing tweets and posts or otherwise letting people know the book exists will be very much appreciated.

*books make excellent and easy to wrap gifts ;-)

Over to you!

 Do you have any womag news?

Are you researching, writing, subbing? Had any acceptances or rejections? Any other news?

Feel free to use the as a picture prompt. If you'd like other writing prompts, short exercises and story/scene suggestions then you might find this book useful.

I'd love to hear your competition news.

Have you entered any writing comps? Had any luck? Heard about interesting contests? Got any tips to pass on? (Although I only feature free to enter competitions in my posts it's fine to share news about other competitions too.)

Do you have writing tips to share, questions to ask, or suggestions for this blog?

My news

Just a reminder that my murder mystery novel Acting Like A Killer is out next week, and that my friend Rosemary J Kind and I are doing a combined launch event for our books.  

We'll be reading the opening pages, getting interviewed and answering questions from attendees.

It's free to take part. Email ros@rjkind.com for the link.

Couple of things ...

Free entry competition news

Thanks to Alyson for sending me the link to this competition. If you can write up to 500 words about why you love London, you could win up to £500.

My news

Together with my friend Rosemary J Kind, I'll be taking part in a Zoom chat /; book launch.  Rosemary will be talking about her historical novel, Vi for Victory and I'll be discussing my romantic murder mystery, Acting Like A Killer.

Womag updates

I'm still on my travels, so not always finding it easy to keep up with news. Luckily I have friends who help to keep me informed. Thank you to those who have passed on the following bits of womag news ...

Those writers on the Take a Break closed list have been sent news contracts, offering a much lower rate of pay, but no longer requiring all rights. 

The fiction editor at YOU is still reading and buying stories which were sent prior to them temporarily closing to new submissions.

The current word count requirements for Yours fiction are –  450, 800,1400, 2,000, and 2,700

The word count range for Seven Days is confirmed as 500 - 1,200 (not 500 - 1,000 as stated in one issue.)