Thursday talk time

Hello! This is another experimental chat, just like last week's attempt, but on a different day so it doesn't conflict with the chat which has been set up on Twitter as a replacement for TPF's writing hour. There's no time limit on these chats, although you're less likely to get a response once I put up a new post.

Everyone is welcome to join in and chat about writing related subjects, including but not limited to -

 Q 1 Do you like using punctuation such as ! and ... or do you prefer to keep things simple?

Q 2 How many notebooks do you have?

As always, feel free to use the photo as a writing prompt if you like that kind of thing. And if you'd enjoy more opportunities to talk virtually with other writers, you might like Writing Chat on Facebook. It's a public group. To take part you'll need to request to join and say what you write - just a word or two to show you realise it's a writing group.

Gone adventuring

We're currently adventuring in the mobile writing retreat (campervan) so apologies if blog posts are even more sketchy and cobbled together than usual! There's also a strong possibility of LOADS of travel photos, but I'm not apologising for that.

Free entry writing competitions

Irish Country Magazine run a monthly themed competition. The prize is publication and a year's subscription. (We're not in Ireland - hopefully that will be next year's big trip.)

For those who were wondering, the weird things in the phot on my last post were the 'knees' of swamp cypress trees. They're protrusions from the roots and, as far as I can tell, nobody is exactly sure about their purpose. 

Tuesday talk time

Hi!

This blog post is an experiment to see if people would like a chance to chat about writing here. It's partly prompted by the ending of The People's Friend writing hour on twitter, but is open to other writers too.

If you're new, then welcome! I'm Patsy. If you're not new, hello again!

Those who don't know how to comment on this blog can find all the details here. Whether or not you participate in chats on this group, you may like to join the Facebook writingchat group. It's a public group. To take part you'll need to request to join and say what you write - just a word or two to show you realise it's a writing group.

Fell free to chat about writing here, ask writing related questions, share info, encourage others etc. Please also make suggestions for how you'd like these chats to work, or share any other ideas of ways this blog can be useful. I'll ask a couple of questions to maybe get you started, but as I said at the start, this is an experiment. Depending on results, I'll carry on in this vague rambling fashion, make changes, or discontinue the whole thing and pretend it never happened!

Q1 What have you written recently?

Q2 Care to guess what's in the photo - it's nothing nasty, I promise. 

Q3 Could you use the image as a story prompt?

Q4 Which is your favourite font?

Over to you

 

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.

Womag / free entry competition news

From Sharon Boothroyd "Prima are running a crime story comp that's free to enter. The CD is 27th October. You are given an opening to start the story (written by a published novelist)  then the writer has to finish it. I think they take all rights to the winner.

They have a normal, ongoing story comp as well that's 800 words.  

It's free to enter but again, they take all rights to the winning story."

From Alyson Hilbourne "Best have just announced their Halloween/spooky competition. 1200 words - something that will leave readers with goosebumps by 28th September."

Thank you, ladies!

Womag news

Also from Alyson, are a couple of tweets she spotted from The People's Friend.

Here's a shout out from Fiction Ed Lucy! We're now looking for stories from mid-January onwards for the weekly, and from spring onwards for our specials.

We're also looking for 3500 word stories of any genre. Please remember seasonal stories must be sent in six months in advance.

Loads of money!

The photos are a random selection of dahlias, seen at a garden I visited If I ever have loads of money to spare, I'll spend quite a lot of it on dahlias – but not as much as I'll spend on tulips!

What would you treat yourself to if you won a big cash prize?

Free to enter writing competitions.

Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for sending me the link to the Commonwealth short story prize, which opens 1st September. To enter you must be a commonwealth citizen. There are regional cash prizes and a grand prize of £5,000.

I think I previously mentioned the mysterious murders competition, but when Sharon reminded me of it I wasn't sure.

Sharon says of these competitions "The cash prizes are very high, which kind of puts me off. I'd rather try and win £50 than £3,000, as I'd stand a better chance."

I'm sure she's right that the bigger competitions will attract more entries, but personally that doesn't put me off. I'll have a go at any competition where I think I can come up with an entry which fits the requirements. Lack of time is my most usual reason for not entering.

How about you? Do you like to try for the bigger prizes, and well known competitions, or keep it more low key? 

 Womag news

Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for sharing the the updated People's Friend word counts, in a comment to last week's post. Sharon was able to access the info via a saved link. At time of writing this post I, and others, couldn't access everything on their website. Hopefully that's all sorted now, but just in case, here they are –

For the weekly:
1, 200, 2000, & 3,000
For the PF special:
1000, 1, 500, 2,500 & 3, 500 & 4,000
Can go 10 % under, but not over.

Other magazines do allow leeway in both directions, but keep in mind that going over means the story is likely to be cut. You might prefer to do that yourself, than have the editor take out the 'wrong' bits.

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.