• Closing Date Today!

    A few weeks ago, I announced the launch of a new short story competition to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the release of my first book of short stories, The Siege. The closing date is today, so if you’ve written a story but haven’t sent it, you’ve just time to! I’ve had some great entries…

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  • Your new five-word challenge is here. Last week, I wanted to know what you thought about your BLOG. This week, I want to know about your HAIR. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word HAIR in it somewhere? Here are your BLOGs from last week: Ritu: I blog, therefore, I…

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  • What To Write Next?

    As many of you know, my first writing craft book, Publication Guaranteed (Well, Almost!) is coming out on the 27th June. Thank you to those of you who have already pre-ordered the book. I have so many ideas for the next book in the series. Would you like to see one about actual publications to…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    Perhaps this sign could have been worded a little differently…

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  • A number of you missed my limerick post from last week as there was a slight technical issue. So I’m kick-starting it again with a new limerick challenge. Feel free to send in your own or here’s a prompt: NOSE Now for a couple of limericks to make you smile this Monday morning: Ritu: There…

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  • The quote from The Observer on the front caught my eye as I was traipsing round Waterstones searching for a new book: ‘Engaging and enchanting…a fairytale for adults, with all the wonder – and terror – that that entails…‘ Intrigued? I certainly was. I turned the book over and read the blurb: ‘It is 1917,…

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  • It’s two weeks until the launch of my first writing craft book, Publication Guaranteed (Well, Almost!). I know many of you have struggled to get your articles and short stories published in magazines and I want to help. I hope you’ll find the book useful in giving you plenty of advice, tips and examples. There…

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  • A couple of weeks ago, I announced the launch of a new short story competition to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the release of my first book of short stories, The Siege. There’s still time to enter. Here are the details for you: One of the stories in The Siege opens as follows: I didn’t…

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  • Your new five-word challenge is here. Last week, I wanted to know what you thought about the WEATHER. This week, I want to know about your BLOG. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word BLOG in it somewhere? Here are your WEATHER forecasts from last week: Deeply Shreded: Whether, the…

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  • Markets For Writers

    U.K. women’s weekly, My Weekly accepts articles. The editor, Stuart Johnstone is always happy to hear from new freelance writers, with fresh ideas. He advises you study a few copies of the magazine so you get a food feel for what they’re all about. Typical features are 800 words, spread over two pages. If you…

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