short stories
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I love a bit of flash fiction – stories told in 100, 250, 500 words, but what about a bite-size flash fiction story? Well, I can write a 50-word story, I hear you cry. But how about a ten-word story? Here’s mine: “Yes!” Eyes dancing, she punched the air. £5000 lottery win. ***
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Most of you know I have a soft spot for flash fiction. Here’s a competition for those of you who also enjoy a bit of flash: The Irish Writers Centre is holding a flash fiction competition of up to 400 words in partnership with the National Botanic Gardens and the Five Lamps Arts Festival. The…
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I had a bit of a shock recently when I realised it was nearly five years ago when, The Siege, my first book of short stories came out. So I think another one is long overdue! It’s not as if readers haven’t been asking for another one; it’s just been something that I’ve always meant…
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Need an idea for a story? Think books and films Bookshelves and/or DVD racks are commonly found in our living rooms, featuring all manner of titles, e.g. ‘The Grudge’, ‘When Will There Be Good News?’, ‘Robin Hood’. Think about each title in turn and you should find all sorts of ideas for short stories, or…
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The Fish Publishing Flash Fiction Prize is open for entries. Here is some information for you: Word Limit: 300 Closing date: 28th February 2019 Entry Fee: €14 (€8 subsequent entries) Prizes: The ten winning stories will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2019. 1st: €1,000 2nd: €300 3rd: Online Writing Course To find out more,…
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Do you enjoy writing dialogue? Then give the Writing Magazine dialogue-only competition a go. Here is some more information for you: 1st prize: £200 and publication in Writing Magazine 2nd prize: £50 and publication in Competition Showcase Entry Fees: £6, £4 for subscribers Closing date: 15th February 2019 Word limit: Between 1500 – 1700 A…
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The End… Are you struggling to bring your story to a close? Make sure you don’t over-explain your ending e.g. in a crime story, when you reveal who killed the victim, don’t feel as if you have to explain exactly why he/she is the murderer. If you have written your story well, your readers should…
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The Writers Bureau Short Story Competition 2019 is now open for entries. Details are as follows: Prizes: 1st: £300 2nd: £200 3rd: £100 4th: £50 Plus all winners receive a Writers Bureau course of their choice (worth over £374). Entry fee: £5 (£4 to members of the The Association of Freelance Writers) Word limit: 2000…
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My new challenge for your this week is to write a limerick, poem or short story on the subject of: Favourite films Last week’s challenge was Famous People. Here are some of your fabulous pieces: Kristian: When it comes to being famous, You can keep that kind of life, The wild parties couldn’t tame us,…
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The Fiction Desk is getting its latest anthology ready for publication, but they still have a few slots for stories left. The deadline is 31st January 2019. To find out exactly what they’re looking for and to submit your story, read their short story submission guidelines. ***
Esther Chilton 