[UPDATED 14/9/22] Hello! Because my short story listings post from the start of the year was getting a bit long and unwieldy, I thought I would do a fresh one for the second half of the year (which means that we are, unbelievably, halfway through 2022 already – that’s mad, Ted). As ever, I will… Read More Short story competitions June-December 2022
[Updated 14/9/2022] As I’m solely focussed on a novel right now (and struggling, at that), I’m not really keeping a close eye on the world of flash fiction. But I thought I’d share a list of the competitions that are showing up on my Twitter timeline – hope these are useful for someone. As always,… Read More Flash fiction competitions 2022
A little bit of writing news to share with you on a grey Monday – my book, Fundamental Things, made the longlist of the Caledonia Novel Award 2022. I’ve been sitting on the news for some time as the longlist was announced in early December, but the competition was being judged anonymously so I was… Read More Caledonia Novel Award 2022 longlist
[UPDATED 6/8/22] High time for a fresh round-up, I feel. Here are the novel competitions currently open for entries, with a wide variety of prizes and judges. They range from established awards like the Bridport Prize to newcomer the Cheshire Novel Prize (which ambitiously promises feedback on every single entry!). Entering competitions like this can… Read More Novel competitions for 2022
[UPDATED 13/5/22] Happy New Year, happy new writing opportunities. January seems as good a time as any to plot world domnation through words. If nothing else, it can be useful to set deadlines in order to actually finish some the many drafts languishing in your files. And some competition organisers are so forward-thinking, you could… Read More Short story competitions 2022
Please indulge me for another brief blog post as I tell you that my short story ‘A Guide to Keeping Birds’ has come joint second in the Bournemouth Writing Prize. The report from the judges, United Agents literary agent Sophie Scard, Picador Commissioning Editor Ansa Khan Khattak and Fresher Publishing Editorial Director Emma Scattergood, said:… Read More Bournemouth Writing Prize, a final update
Greetings, fellow scribblers. I hope you’ve all had your jabs or are at least nearing the time for an appointment. I’ve been working away on a new project that I’d like to explain a bit more about at a later date because I think it will be of interest to other writers. In the meantime,… Read More Bournemouth Writing Prize 2021 shortlist
[UPDATED 2/9/21] 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 1/6/21] 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
‘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!
Word herding 