• Bite Size Writing Tips

    Family Photos – more than just a memento Photos of loved ones, including the beloved family pet, can often be found on our mantelpieces, windowsills or walls. The women’s weeklies all publish photos of babies, pets, special anniversaries and parties. Wedding photos, whether it’s our own, a family member’s or friend’s, could be amongst the…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    The January sales – you never know what bargain you might find…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Writing Magazine have got an interesting competition for you to enter: The Odd Couple Short Story Competition. Want to know more? Here’s what they have to say: ‘It’s a narrative setup that has entertained readers for centuries, from Don Quixote and Sancho Panza to virtually every TV crime series ever… and most sitcoms. Tell us…

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  • I met fellow editor, Emma Mitchell at Harrogate Crime Festival this year and we had a good chat about all sorts of things to do with editing, especially our thoughts on the use of the Oxford comma! Emma’s recently brought out a wonderful book of short stories with all the proceeds going to charity. Please…

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  • It’s time for another five-word challenge. Last week I gave you something New and this week, I’m going back to the old. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word OLD in it somewhere? Chris Page: Another new year; new writing. Ritu: New year, new me – Nah! New book, out…

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  • Markets For Writers

    My first market of the year for you is a short story contest. The Scottish Arts Club Short Story Competition is open to writers worldwide. The word limit is 2000 words. Here is some information on the prizes: 1st: £1,000 2nd: £500 3rd: £250 The £600 Isobel Lodge Award is open to unpublished writers born,…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    Having volunteered at Cats Protection for some years, I must admit I’ve never come across a cat quite like this…

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  • I first came across this book at Harrogate Crime Festival a couple of years ago. As I’m sure many a reader who has a massive to-be-read pile will understand, when you get another book, it just goes on top of the pile. Though, I’d heard a lot of great things about Cally’s books and so…

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  • As many of you who have self-published will know, formatting your book, ensuring the book cover looks right etc, isn’t easy and there’s many a hurdle to be overcome along the way. This is exactly what’s happened with A Walk in the Woods. But, I think (fingers crossed!), I’m almost there. So the paperback version…

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  • I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year and here’s to a great 2020! For the first five-word challenge of the year, can you tell a story in five words, using the word NEW in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word WISH. You sent in some great…

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