short stories
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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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Fancy a themed competition? Retreat West are holding a flash fiction competition for stories up to 500 words on the theme ‘Earth’. Here are some more details for you: Prizes: 1st: £200 2 x runners-up: £100 Entry fee: £8 Closing date: 29th December 2019 For more information and to read previous prize winning entries, click…
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You’ve got plenty of time for this week’s market – the closing date for The Writers’ and Artists’ Short Story Competition is 13th February 2020. Stories are invited on any theme, up to 2000 words. The competition is free to enter. A winner and two runners-up will be chosen. Prizes include a place on one…
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Iron Press is looking for short stories for a new anthology, titled Aliens. Here are some details for you: ‘This is not a competition. There is no fee and no prizes. Authors included will receive two free copies. Extra copies can be ordered at trade price and writers may be invited to read their work…
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It’s my pleasure to introduce Hugh Roberts as my interviewee this week. I met Hugh at the first Bloggers Bash in London and we’ve remained good blogging friends since then. Hugh writes short stories, a real passion of mine, too. He’s put together two short story collections. In the interview, he tells us more about…
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The Fish Short Story Prize is accepting entries for short stories of up to 5000 words. Here are some more details for you: Prizes: 1st: €3,000 plus a five-day Short Story Workshop at the West Cork Literary Festival 2nd: A week at Anam Cara Writers’ Retreat and €300 3rd: €300 Seven Honourable Mentions receive…
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For those of you who haven’t yet read my latest book of short stories, A Walk in the Woods, you can get it free – today and tomorrow! Tempted? Here’s an extract from one of the short stories, The Dark Place: I hate this dark place. A cobweb gently glides over my cheek, its maker…
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Fly on the Wall Press is looking for submissions of collections of poetry, as well as collections of flash fiction/short stories and individual short stories. The closing date is 15th November 2019. What are they looking for? Writers who have a strong voice and style. A manuscript with a theme or story arc. Writers unafraid…
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Don’t overdo your ending Don’t go beyond your story’s natural ending e.g. in a horror story, it’s more effective to finish with the girl thinking she’s got away only for the monster to appear right at the end, its jaws drooling, than it is to go into graphic detail about how the monster finished her…
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The People’s Friend: This long-running magazine is primarily known for its short stories, which are character-driven, traditional, feel-good tales. The fiction team are hugely encouraging and often offer advice if you’re close to being accepted. The magazine also publishes features and poetry. They have recently given their website an overhaul and there are some useful…
Esther Chilton 