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!
[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
[Updated 4/11/20] This year has been so devoid of normal structure that it doesn’t feel like we could possibly be in Autumn already, and yet here we are. The new calender is measured in competition deadlines, so here is a fresh crop for your diary. And the flash fiction competitions below are largely quarterly ones,… Read More Flash fiction competitions September-December
From time to time, I do a round-up of competitions that have no entry fees because heaven knows it’s a costly business. Right at the moment, there aren’t that many available, but I think the list below is nonetheless an interesting mix. I’ll add to it as and when new opportunities arise, and I hope… Read More Free-to-enter competitions 2020
[Updated 8/6/2020] In keeping with my most pressing current project, I have a list of upcoming novel prizes for you. From women-only awards to tales of adventure, hopefully there will be something here for everyone. As always, please do read the fine print before you enter anything. Good luck! Comedy Women in Print Prize 2020… Read More Novel competitions for 2020
[Updated 3/5/20] 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
