• Markets For Writers

    Want to try something different? Then why not give the Writing Magazine ‘Genre Mash-Up Short Story Competition’ a go? ‘Smash conventions and cross boundaries with your short story for this month’s competition, for a genre-defying (or defining) mash-up. It could be the likes of urban fantasy or domestic noir, but we’re really looking for a…

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  • For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word biscuit in it somewhere? I previously set you the challenge of writing a five-word story where one of the five words had to be phone. Here are your fabulous stories: Ritu: A phone ruined my life… Mobile phone – friend…

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  • Happiness In Harrogate

    Mum, Dad and I first visited the beautiful spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire some years ago. Move forward a decade or two and we were back there for a week’s break. We stayed in the charming Cairn Hotel, which dates back to Victorian times when many a visitor came to the town to…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    That’ll swing it then… Photo credit: Livabl

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  • The TV – a source of inspiration for writing? In many houses, the TV is the focal point of the room and we spend a lot of our relaxation time watching it. Visit your local newsagents and you’ll see a lot of shelf space taken up with TV magazines. Most of these have letters pages…

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  • It’s Launch Day!

    It’s finally here! My book of short stories, A Walk In The Woods, is available to buy today! Thank you to all of you who have pre-ordered the book. I hope you enjoy it. If you haven’t, why haven’t you?! You can order it through Amazon worldwide. Here’s the blurb to entice you… An autumnal…

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  • You still have time to get your story in – can you tell a story in five words, with the word ‘phone‘ in it somewhere? I’m looking forward to reading all your witty and entertaining stories.

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  • Funny Of The Week

    I think I’ll avoid this dental clinic…

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  • Not sure how to end your short story? Well, don’t do it this way! Finishing your story with a cunning twist can make for a very effective ending and leave your readers admiring your brilliance. However, a lot of magazine editors and competition judges complain that they see the same twist endings again and again.…

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  • It’s a week to go until the launch of my book of short stories (A Walk In The Woods). Last week, I gave you a sneak peek of part of the first story. Would you like some more? Here’s part of another story for you: William Mummy has gone mad. I don’t like her like…

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