fiction

  • Markets For Writers

    Looking for a publishing package for your novel? Writing Magazine is running an exciting competition. They have teamed up with Lulu.com and Authoright to offer one lucky winner a complete publishing package. To enter, send the first chapter of your book, or up to 2,000 words, together with a one-line teaser or strapline, one-page synopsis…

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  • Another Dash Of Flash

    Looking at the title of one of the books on my shelf, the following story came to mind: Escape I stop, tears streaming down my cheeks. Soft whispers caress me, building in sound slowly, the harshness of the words with them. The snap of stiff wood to my right, a yell of triumph to my…

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  • Markets For Writers

    We all love a ghost story, don’t we? Well, The Fiction Desk have announced that their 2018 Ghost Story Competition is now accepting entries. Here are some details for you: Prizes: 1st: £500 2nd: £250 3rd: £100 Entry fee: £8 per story Word limit: Between 1000 – 7000 words Closing date: 31st January 2018  To…

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  • Another Dash Of Flash

    Continuing my run of flash fiction, here’s another bite size story: The Return He came for me yesterday. I hadn’t been expecting anyone on such a viscous night. I had just stoked the fire when the knocker thudded, once, twice, three times. Somewhere inside me, a familiar sensation exploded, memories prodding and poking their way…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Fancy writing a science fiction or fantasty story? Then Writing Magazine‘s latest short story competition is just for you! Here are the details: Word Count: Between 1500 – 1700 words Prizes: 1st: £200 plus publication in the magazine 2nd: £50 plus publication on the website Entry fee: £5, £3 for subscribers Closing date: 15th December…

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  • Markets For Writers

    The London Magazine is holding a short story competition for stories of up to 2500 words. Here are the all important details for you: Entry fee: £10 per short story (this may seem steep, but you can send in as many entries as you like) First Prize: £500 plus publication in the magazine Second Prize: £300 plus publication…

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  • A Little Piece Of Flash…

    One of my short story tips is to take a single word and then to create a story around it. In the book I’ve been reading the word ‘envy’ stood out. It set my mind working on a story…   Envy   I look around at my colleagues with envy. “Are you ok, Jamilla?” Shirley…

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  • Writing Workshop…Top Tips

    Now for the sixth instalment in my writing workshop series. I’ve covered the short story ending as well as the opening.  I’ve guided you through dialogue and focused on the importance of taking time to do things properly. Last week, it was a competitions refresher. This week there’s some advice on the art of the…

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  • Markets For Writers

    As many of you know, I have a passion for flash fiction so, when I saw the advert for this writing competition, I knew I had to share it with you: Competition: The Writers Bureau Flash Fiction Competition Word count: up to 500 words Closing date: 30th November 2017 Prizes: 1st: £300 2nd: £200 3rd:…

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  • Love…And Hate…

    And here’s another piece of flash fiction for you: Destruction I touch his face, my fingers caressing his lips, catching on a ragged ridge of chapped skin. I press my own to them, tasting the tang of tears as they cascade down my cheeks. I drink in his warmth. Or what’s left; it won’t be…

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