I have started 2020 with great writing fervour, dear readers. Ok, that isn’t true. I’ve dragged myself into 2020, frustrated with my lack of concentration and nagging myself to commit to one – just one – project. Things are about to change. Oh, yes. For I am determined to finish one of the novel projects… Read More Book report, week 1: hope and hammers
[Updated 22/1/20] It’s been a while since I featured a flash fiction competition list, so here are some interesting things coming up. A few of these competitions push the boat out in terms of the micro form, asking for collections of flashes that work together as a whole. Could yield some very interesting results. As… Read More Flash fiction competitions 2020
Unsurprisingly, my most read posts this year have been competition round-ups, short story awards being of particular interest. Everyone likes a list (my annual stats have quadrupled since last year as a result of featuring them), and it’s handy to have chronological guides for the main ones so you don’t have to worry about missing… Read More A farewell to 2019
Just a quick post to wish a very happy Christmas to all my regular readers. Thank you for dropping by the blog, and even venturing back here again. It’s lovely to see the stats rise year on year, and to feel that someone is actually willing to read the daftness my fingers type! It’s been… Read More Merry Christmas, everyone
[Updated 20/1/20] Can you actually believe we’re casually referring to 2020 as something imminent and not the setting for a sci-fi series where everyone dresses in tin foil smocks? How on earth did that happen? In this bold new world, there will be things called short story competitions and you – intrepid explorer – will… Read More Your 2020 short story competition guide
The absolute highlight of my writing year in 2018 was getting to attend the inaugural five-day Creative Writing Winter School held by the University of Limerick in Doolin, Co Clare. I may have mentioned it once or twice. I was so blown away by the experience that I blogged about it. Daily. With extensive references… Read More UL Winter School 2019: return of the Dooligans
Online literary journals are wonderful. Fact. From a readers’ perspective, they’re easily accessible, free to read and – for the most part – packed with quality writing. For writers, they offer an opportunity to get work out into the world (often for the first time), the confidence boost of an acceptance and a credit to… Read More A couple of Best Microfiction 2020 nominations
