• Win A Book!

    To celebrate the paperback launch of A Walk in the Woods, I’m holding a short story competition. A copy of my book will go to the winning entry and the story will also be published on my blog. If you’ve already bought a copy of the book, thank you, but why not still enter and…

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  • I hope you’re having a great week. How about trying a new challenge? Last week I wanted something COLD from you. This week, I’m looking for the opposite and something HOT. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word HOT in it somewhere? Here are your creative thoughts on COLD from…

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  • Markets For Writers

    The Writers Bureau Short Story Competition is open for entries. Prizes: 1st: £300 2nd: 200 3rd: £100 4th: £50 All winners will also receive a Writers Bureau Course of their choice, worth over £374 Entry fee: £5 per story. Members of The Association of Freelance Writers have the reduced fee of £4.00 per entry .…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    My thanks goes to Murray Clarke who sent in this week’s Funny of the Week.

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  • Bite Size Writing Tips

    One way to instantly hook your reader’s interest in your story is to introduce your main character to them and to make them care for that character. The result – your reader will immediately feel involved in your story: “Please. No…” Hannah looked at the big, balding man, her lower lip trembling. An adult would…

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  • I’m delighted to welcome fellow Newburian, Martin Strike, better known as The Newbury Short Story Teller as my interviewee this week. I first met Martin when he wrote a delightful tale about the cat he and his wife had just adopted from Newbury Cats Protection for The Cat Flap magazine (I’m editor of the magazine).…

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  • It’s time for another five-word challenge. Last week I wanted something ODD from you. This week, I’m looking for something COLD. So can you tell a story in five words, using the word COLD in it somewhere? Here are your creative thoughts on ODD from last week: Ritu: Oddly enough, I like you. The odds…

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  • Markets For Writers

    The Bath Flash Fiction Award is open for entries, with a closing date of 16th February 2020. Here are some details for you: Prizes: 1st: £1000 2nd: £300 3rd: £100 Two commendations receive £30 each. Entry fee: £9 for one story, discounts for further stories entered Word limit: 300 For more details, visit the competition…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    If you’re looking for a new car, here’s just the ad for you…

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  • For those of you who missed my blog from Saturday – I’m pleased to announce that the paperback version of A Walk in the Woods is finally out. Here’s an extract from one of the short stories: Home Six o’ clock in the morning. Another day Muriel would rather be dead. She opened her eyes…

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