The weekly herding: empty pastures

Interesting articles have been thin on the ground this week, even for my eagle eyes [the management reserves the right to take some liberties with the truth]. Maybe it’s because summer’s here and the contemplation of how and why we write is a pursuit for colder days.

So I’ll entice you instead with a few submission opportunities…

Not seeing much of this thing called summer, but it’s the only explanation for the dearth of wisdom-sharing articles at the moment

 

Magazine submission opportunity

Galway-based Crannóg magazine is published three times a year. It is currently open for submissions during the month of July for their October issue. Short stories should be under 2,000 words, or you can send up to three poems for consideration, at a maximum of 50 lines each.

There are several benefits to having your work accepted by this respected magazine. Contributors receive payment of €30 per story, €20 per poem, as well as a copy of the magazine. They are also invited to read at the issue launch in Galway. Four poetry contributors [I presume they mean per year rather than per issue] will be nominated for the Forward Prize for best single poem, and six contributors will be nominated for The Pushcart Prize (poetry and fiction).

Thanks to writing group pal Brenda O’Driscoll for the tip.

 

Aestas short story competition

The catchily named Fabula Press Aestas 2016 Summer Short Story Competition is open for entries. Stories should be between 1,700 and 7,000 words and there is no theme. The entry fee is US$10.

The prizes are as follows: first prize is $250, second prize $150, third prize $100. All 15-20 longlisted entries will be published in an anthology, and non-prize winning longlisted entries will be paid $50 for their work. The closing date is September 30.

 

Costa short story competition

Have supplies, now get writing

It’s become a very high-profile competition in the five short years it’s been running, but why not try your hand at the Costa Short Story Award 2016?  The winner will receive £3,500, second prize is £1,500 and third prize £500.

Stories should be a maximum of 4,000 words and it’s free to enter. Make sure you read the submission guidelines carefully as there are some unusual requirements in there – such as using Arial font and not including page numbers. Last year’s finalists are all available to listen to on the website if you want an idea of the kind of story that might appeal.

The competition is open to entrants living in the UK or Ireland, and the closing date is August 5.

 

 

 

 

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