Please forgive a little trumpet blowing. It’s been quite a while since I’ve entered any competitions, and even longer since one of my entries placed, so it was a very nice surprise this evening to stumble across the longlist for the Bournemouth Writing Prize for Short Story 2021, only to discover a story of mine… Read More Bournemouth Writing Prize 2021 longlist
[UPDATED 14/5/2021] It really does feel like we’re emerging from a collective hibernation, doesn’t it? Armed with a Covid vaccination, or at least the promise of one in the near future. For many people, writing has been on the back burner – it certainly has been here at Wordherding Towers. But I have set a… Read More Short story competitions April-December 2021
Full disclosure, I’m not impartial in the case of this particular interview. It’s not an exaggeration to say that guest author Laura McKenna is the reason I’m writing today. Back in 2014, I spotted a sign on the noticeboard of the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. It was for a six-week writing class, using the… Read More Words to Shape My Name author Q&A
[UPDATED 14/5/21] I’ve reached the point where I’m researching agents and trying to find a good match for my recently completed book. For some writers, the way to an agent, and indeed a publishing deal, is by winning or placing in a novel competition. So for my latest round-up, here are some UK and Ireland… Read More Novel competitions 2021
[UPDATED 27/4/21] Happy New Year to you all – how’s it going so far? I’ve been sitting on a UK and Ireland flash fiction competition list for a while, waiting for several regular ones to be announced, but a lot still seem to be in hibernation. This is understandable when times are so uncertain, particularly… Read More Flash fiction competitions 2021
This has been the year of the novel for me. Back in January, I set myself the task of actually getting a move on and finishing one of three novel projects I’ve been dabbling with for some years. I had a pattern of working on one for a while, becoming disheartened and bailing, only to… Read More A farewell to 2020
‘How’s the book coming along?’ is a question that writers are asked over and over and over. The answer generally goes along the lines of, “I’m a teeny bit stuck/We’ve decided to consciously uncouple/I hate it more than fascism/Oh look, a pigeon! Sorry, must dash…” Today, I can happily report the book is going well… Read More Book report: Irish Novel Fair runner-up!
[UPDATED 2/3/21] It may feel a bit soon to be looking towards next year’s UK and Ireland short story awards, but there are quite a few currently open and waiting for your wonderful words. Of course, the Covid crisis has played havoc in terms of planning 2021 arts festivals, so there aren’t as many accompanying… Read More 2021 short story competition guide
One area of the writing process that I’ve noticed writers can be hazy on is the role of an editor or mentor. This is familiar to me. I worked as a freelance sub-editor for many years, and found myself explaining repeatedly at parties what I actually did. So with the hope of bringing a bit… Read More Editing / mentoring Q&A with Mary Morrissy
I’m at the very final stages of my WIP now – this draft, anyway. The troublesome character has been ironed out a bit more (still not completely there, she’s such a pain) and the MS has had a rigorous read through with various sections moved around. Now I’m back on the laptop, taking in all… Read More Book report: reading, writing and research
