How to comment on this blog

 I recently had an email from someone who's read this blog for sometime, but hadn't commented before, as they weren't sure how. Like a lot of things in life, it can seem complicated or daunting until you try, but is easy once you know how ...

Step 1

Scroll down to the very end of the post, to where there are little icons for sharing the post, post tags etc and click on the word 'comments'.

Depending on your device, you might not have to do that and will go straight to the next step.

(That's a screenshot - you need to scroll down for the real thing.)

Step 2

A comment pop up box will appear. If you've never commented before and don't have a Google profile it will look like this.

That let's you comment anonymously, which is fine although it helps me if you either add your name or nickname. Alternatively you can click on the little arrow after the word 'anonymous' to select a different profile. Selecting the bottom one will allow you to enter your name, which will then be shown on the blog before your comment. That's how most of my blog readers comment, but the choice is yours (I'll add examples myself, so you can see the differences)

Step 3

Type in whatever you want to say - I've added the words 'Type your comment here' in this example. 'Sign' with your name or nickname (unless you want to remain anonymous) and press the red 'publish' button.

Comments usually appear immediately, but sometimes due to spammers, I activate 'moderation' which means I have to approve them first. 

Step 4

That's you done – and me grateful that you took the time. Comments are hugely important to this blog - it wouldn't continue without them.

Feel free to have an experiment on one of my recent posts. I promise I won't mind if there are sixteen all saying 'test', half completed comments, comments with names missing etc etc. I also promise that it is completely impossible for you to somehow mess up this blog by getting commenting wrong.

Sorry, but as this post attracts multiple spam posts per day, I've had to switch off commenting here.

And the winner is...

 

In my 26th July post, I invited blog readers to give an explanation of this mysterious photo which appeared on my phone.

My favourite reply was... Well, it was impossible to pick just one, so joint first place goes to –

the third one down beginning "Against her better judgement," (and not just because that sums up quite a few of my life choices)  the one giving me the great suggestion of "Dastardly Deeds and Delightful Decadence" for another book in my cosy mystery series and the one advising drinking a Tequila Sunrise as the safest option.

They were all really good though. If you've not read them, click here and scroll through the comments.  You should always read the comments - they're definitely the best part of this blog. 

The writers of the above mentioned gems win their choice of ebook download from my Slightly Spooky Stories series. Please email me at patsycollins53@yahoo.com to say which you'd like. Fee free to say which was yours in the comments, if you'd like to.

What really happened is that I had the phone in the pocket of my very blue trousers. Gary and I were walking, and talking about a variety of subjects including voice activated technology and panoramic photography. We discovered my phone had taken a panoramic photo of my pocket. I don't have anything voice activated on it, and the camera app wasn't open. Nothing was. To take the picture myself, I'd have had to enter my six digit password, select the camera app, chosen pano mode and press start. Weird, eh?

Womag news

The new fiction editor at My Weekly is Sian Dolan. There's no change to the 'closed list' situation, but there are other changes. If you're one of those who can submit to this market, read the latest guidelines carefully!

Free entry competition news

Here's an interesting travel writing competition. You're invited to recount a journey in the footsteps of a literary hero. I like visiting the locations of books I've enjoyed - does that count? The first prize is publication and $300. There's an option to pay rather a lot of money to have your entry assessed. That might be worthwhile to anyone interested in submitting work to the organisers, but it's not a requirement of entry.

I mentioned travel, which as you've probably realised by now, means you get a random selection of photos from my trips.

This one is for poems on the theme of togetherness Decolonising Minds and Shared Identities. Thanks to  Jenny for pointing out that I'd missed that detail. There's a £500 prize - and a (free) 32 page manual on the theme, which it might be advisable to read before you write.

I'm probably going to pass on those two, but I am working on entries for some competitions I've mentioned over the last month or so.

Festival time

Free entry competition news

I spotted this on Facebook. There weren't any other rules or t&Cs - just that. (Festive stories are ones which cellebrate festivals, aren't they?)
 
Thanks to Fiona for sending the link to the Val Wood prize. They're looking for stories of up to 1,500 words on the theme of secrets. The prize is £100, plus a book.

My news

Today I'mm selling my books at the first ever literary festival in Lee-on-the-Solent. 

If you happen to be in the area please come and say hello - and listen to some of the authors reading their work.

Discussion point

Do you go to literary festivals, either as an author or reader? If you've got one coming up soon, please share the details.

(Un)seasonal greeting!

Womag news

Thanks to Babs Trevitt who spotted this on Twitter – I'm glad she did as I'm not on it and so wouldn't have known. In case you can't read the small print it says The People's Friend have now chosen all their Christmas stories, won't be keeping those they have on file, and you can resubmit them next year. Babs was told next years' Christmas submissions can be sent from 1st June.

I've heard through the grapevine that a new fiction editor has been appointed for My Weekly.
 

Free entry competition news

This competition is for playwrights from anywhere in the word, as long as they write in English and produce a minimum of 65 pages and the work hasn't been previously professionally produced. (I guess there's a standard definition of a page and I can't just write 'Nobody wanted him so he exited stage left, chased by midges and a Highland cow' in really big letters.) Prize is $10,000.

There's still time to have a go at my blue photo competition.

My news

I'm at the cathedral in Old Portsmouth 2- 5 today, helping to sell books on behalf of the Portsmouth Authors' Collective. Do come and say hello if you're in the area.

Two of my cosy crime novels are currently reduced to 99p / 99c. These are Acting Like A Killer and Disguised Murder and Community Spirit in Little Mallow. Offer ends 7th August.

As explained in my last post, I've had to switch comment moderation on, so don't worry if yours doesn't appear straight away.

Spam!

 I've been getting quite a lot of spam comments recently, so have turned 'comment moderation' on as a temporary measure. That means any comments you make won't show until I've approved them. I'm not censoring what people say - just checking it's an actual response to my post, rather than an 'offer' for something none of us want.

The balloon in the photo is full of hot air, which seemed relevant to the post until I started trying to explain it. Still, it's pretty and that's generally a good thing.

Tuesday top tip - the rules!

I'd like to remind everyone to read the rules, and terms and conditions, of any competition before entering. It's probably best to do that before spending and time writing something, and then again just before submission. Although they often look very much the same, then can be surprising differences tucked away in the small print.

I've come across terms declaring the entrant gives up all rights to their work simply by entering, and cases of a 'free' competition requiring the spending of money on a product or service. I do my best to check for that kind of thing, and will mention it in my posts if I find something, but please don't rely on that. Sometimes these posts are cobbled together in a hurry (don't tell me you hadn't noticed!)

Quite often there are one or more very precise rules, such as using a particular font, having your name and contact details in the header or footer, or removing anything which identifies the author. It would be a shame to have your hard work eliminated before it was read because your entry didn't measure up to something like that. Having judged writing competitions in the past, I can tell you it's disappointingly common.

This tip was (and dodgy pun) brought to you by Patsy Collins. 

If you'd like to contribute a tip to this blog, here's what to do

Three for free - plus one from me!

Free entry writing competitions

Here's a competition for historical or mythological short stories. There's an interesting prize bundle, including $1,000.

This competition is for fiction, non fiction and poetry. International entries accepted, although they're especially keen to see work from people in Aberdeen. Publication seems to be the only prize.

If you're a new writer, can come up with something involving 'timeless terrors and a flare' and do it quickly, this competition is for you. The prize is $3,000.

A competition from me!

The above photo appeared on my phone. I sort of know why, and the reason is... weird. 

If you'd like to, leave an explanation of the photo in the comments (it doesn't have to be what you think really happened, although it can be). My favourite will win a free download of any book in my Slightly Spooky Stories series. You'll need to give me your email later on to claim your prize, but please enter anonymously if you can. 

Entries must be in by midnight 10th August. On the 16th August I'll announce the winner, share their entry in a post, and tell you what really happened. 

Over To You - and some free reads

 

Please share writing related news – successes and failures, details of free entry writing competitions, updates about the womags you submit to, any other publication opportunities, and raise any queries you may have. All these things will help other readers of this blog, and help me to keep it going!

Free entry writing competition news

Here's a competition for funny poems. You can send in a written version, or film yourself performing it. I'm almost tempted to try the latter option. The prizes are book tokens.

Promotion opportunity

If you've ever been published by Bridge House, then you're able to submit your writing news for their blog and newsletters. (The blog post is an old one, but the link appeared in the current newsletter.) Thanks to Fiona for passing on this info.

My news

It's been a bit hot for much writing lately. The photos in this post are an indication of what I've been doing instead.

I'm doing a couple more those promos aimed at enticing readers onto my newsletter mailing list, and thought some of you might be interested in some of the free reads on offer. (You can, if you'd like to, download and read the books using devices other than kindles - laptops, tablets etc.) You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time.

For those who enjoy short stories, here are a selection of individual stories and collections which are free when you sign up to the authors' newsletters - https://books.bookfunnel.com/short-story-smorgasbord/d0i6qzkuhv

And this one is is for longer works - whole books or sample chapters - https://books.bookfunnel.com/freejulyreads/6nqmo5v36v

Do any of you produce your own writing related newsletter? (If you'd like to, put a sign up link in the comments and I'll put clickable links in a future post.)

Discussion topic - do you subscribe to any author newsletters? What do you like / dislike about them?

Having a lovely time!

 

We're away in the mobile writing retreat / campervan, in part to celebrate our wedding anniversary, at the moment. Depending on the weather, I'm either writing a lot or not at all. 

Free book!

My book With Love And Kisses, a collection of 24 short stories, is currently free to download. I'm hoping that making it free will lead to a few more reviews as for some reason, this book has hardly any.

More free entry writing competitions

Free entry writing competition news

Thanks to Ruth for the link to this competition from the Scottish wildlife trust. They're looking for up to 1,000 words in any form on the theme 'from source to sea'. You can write in English, Scots or Gaelic. (I confess, that despite sometimes having needed a translator for my mother-in-law, I hadn't realised Scots was a separate language!) There's a prize bundle of stuff likely to appeal to wildlife lovers. UK residents only.

Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for sending this - 

In case you can't read the small print, it says unpublished (when it comes to novels) UK residents without an agent, over 18  only. Self published is OK.

Sharon and Alyson both found this short story competition. It's open to everyone, they want up to 550 words featuring braille, audio , community, or all three. The first prize is an echo dot. Second prize is a book token. The fact I understand the second one but don't know what the first does probably says something about my age, or technical abilities. Honestly, you're lucky this blog doesn't come in the form of totally unreadable handwritten notes.

Thanks to Aly Rhodes for sharing the details of this short story competition. They're looking for a murder mystery story with a fun twist. 

I asked the organiser for clarification on the rules and have been told, 'It’s open to anyone over 18 with an original story that’s not published elsewhere."

Calls for submissions

Thanks to Liz for the info that Flametree are looking for romantic fantasy submissions for two anthologies. They pay 6p per word for first publication and 4p for reprints. 

Free as a bird

 

Free entry competition news

I think I may have mentioned this short story competition from Croydon Writers before, but as there's still plenty of time to enter and £100 prize, I thought it wouldn't hurt to include it again. Thanks to Fiona for reminding me about it - and thanks for everyone who is on the look out for competitions, news and opportunities to pass on for the blog. 

The skua in the photo was on the look out for threats to its nest. We beat a hasty retreat when it seemed to place us in that category! I don't think many of you are that ferocious - are you more more like puffins, oystercathers or fulmars?

Tuesday top tip - write regularly

Ever taken a break from writing and then found it difficult to get started again? Or wanted to get on with writing, but struggled to find a couple of free hours of peace without interruptions? 

Yeah, me too. The answer is to get used to writing regularly. Not necessarily every single day, but at least a couple of times a week, even if it's just for a few minutes. At first it might seem like you're not getting very far, but trust me, you WILL make progress. I wrote my first two novels (Paint Me A Picture and Escape To The Country) mostly in tea breaks at work and on trains going to meetings. Now a great deal of my writing is done in the van at photographic locations, waiting for the right light. I might have hours to write, or have to stop before the laptop has booted up. I'm not saying that's ideal, but you definitely can learn to work that way.

To get into the habit of writing in spare moments, how about trying short exercises every day? My book A Year Of Ideas; 365 sets of writing prompts and exercises, has suitable exercises for every day of the year - plus prompts and suggestions for turning them into a longer piece if work if you get the time.

This tip was brought to you by Patsy Collins. 

If you'd like to contribute a tip to this blog, here's what to do

Over to you

No blogger is an island – I benefit greatly from the help I get from readers who pass on info, leave comments, share posts etc. Thanks everyone!

Please share writing related news – successes and failures, details of free entry writing competitions, updates about the womags you submit to, any other publication opportunities, and raise any queries you may have. All these things will help other readers of the blog, and help me to keep it going!

As always, feel free to use my photos as writing prompts. If you prefer words to images for that purpose, take a look here.

Free entry competition news

Thanks to Alyson Hilbourne for sending me the details of this flash fiction competition from Green Stories - it's good to know they're still going. They want stories under 500 words on the theme of epiphanies. The first prize is £300, with seven runner up prizes of £100!

My news

One of my short story collections, Slightly Spooky Stories I is currently on sale for 99p / 99c.

International news - not all bad!

 

Womag news

This (paraphrased) info comes from Liz. It's been announced this week that Woman's World (USA) sister publication, First for Women, is being closed down, and its subscribers moved across to Woman's World (if they want to). There have been redundancies from Woman's World as well as First for Woman, among them Sienna Sullivan, one of the two editors who worked on the WW fiction (as well as some of the features). It's unclear as yet what this means for the two fiction slots in Woman's World.

Since I made the post, Liz has learned more -

A follow-up to my info regarding Woman's World - two new fiction editors have been announced. One (Shay) will look after the mysteries and the other (Melissa) the romances. The email addresses remain the same: Fiction@womansworldmag.com for writers who haven't published with Woman's World before, and FictionPro@womansworldmag.com for those who have. I'm hopeful that having two editors again, one for each slot, will make the role less overwhelming (they look after other parts of the magazine as well as the fiction). 

And from Sharon Boothroyd "If anyone is interested in writing nostalgia/ memory pieces, Best of British monthly mag want around 800 words, with photos. One photo must be a headshot of yourself. If it's accepted, they pay £20." Sharon also informs us that That's Life in Australia has resumed the Fast Fiction slot. Neither of us know if they're accepting unsolicited submissions.

Here's a link Fiona found, about how magazines are perhaps being appreciated differently.

Free entry competition news

The BCSA are running a competition for up to 2,000 words of prose. There's an optional theme of 'liberation' and other compulsory criteria. First prize is £400.

Calls for submissions

From Liz - The June issue of The Simple Things is asking for readers to submit microfiction (300 words). There's no money or prize (that I can see), but the best submissions will be published in next June's issue of The Simple Things. See the mag for more details. The Simple Things is a great mag that includes a commissioned short story in every issue. They're more literary than in the womags, but I've really enjoyed several of them. 

The Heroines Anthology reimagines women in myth, fairy tale, folklore or legend, & tells women's lost histories and untold stories. Submission is open to women writers from around the world, and all submissions are considered for the Heroines women's writing prize, which is $500.

More free entry writing competitions

 

Free entry writing competition news

This competition is run by the Scottish Mental Health Festival, but is open to all. They want fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction on the theme of 'comfort & disturb'. Shortlisted entrants will be invited to read at the awards ceremony (pretty sure that will be optional). The shortlisted and winning pieces of writing will also be published in an illustrated print and digital book. 

Thanks to Marguerite for this short story competition. The theme is heat wave and there's just a couple of weeks left to get your entry in and possibly win an Amazon voucher.

Thanks to Alyson for this short story competition with £100 prize.

Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for the info that Scribble magazine have writing competitions which are free to enter for their subscribers, and that The Oldie magazine have a regular free poetry competition with a £25 prize.

New blog feature! 

Here's a discussion point, hardly at all intended to justify littering the blog with my travel photos! 

Do you think writing is like peeping in through a window, or walking straight through the doorway?