writing

  • Markets For Writers

    If you’re looking for a writing competition which is FREE to enter and which has a great first prize, then the annual ‘Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook Short Story Competition’ is for you. This year, there’s no set theme so get those ideas coming. You have until Monday 13th February 2017 in which to enter. The…

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  • Markets For Writers

    My market this week is for those of you who enjoy a good old ghost story. The Fiction Desk is accepting stories for its annual Ghost Story Competition. Here are the all important details for you: Prizes: 1st prize: £500 2nd prize: £250 3rd prize: £100 Entry fee: £8 Word limit: Between 1000 – 7000…

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  • Monday Motivations

    After a wonderful weekend in London seeing the Christmas lights and stunning landmarks, it’s back to reality with a bang. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. Here’s a challenge to help you back into work mode: Write a story or poem on the theme Christmas Eve Last week’s challenge was to write a story…

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  • I Need You – Again!

    Competition Time! Last week I set a mini-competition within a mini-competition! Lots of you took part in my recent flash fiction competition where I set the theme of ‘The Discovery’.  The results can be read here, if you missed them. So I’m now looking at running my next mini-competition, but I’m not quite sure of the theme to…

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  • Monday Motivations

    Well, this Monday certainly came round far too quickly. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Here’s a new challenge for you: Write a story or poem on the theme Flashback. Last week’s theme was Darkness. There were some fantastic pieces: I’ve really missed Keith Channing‘s limericks so it’s great to see him back: Distinguishing…

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  • I Need You!

    Competition Time! Thank you to all of you who took part in the first of my mini-competitions. The results can be read here, if you missed them. I’m now looking at running my next mini-competition, but I’m not quite sure of the theme to set. So, that’s where you come in. What theme would you like to…

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  • Markets For Writers

    This week’s market is for the novelists. The Exeter Novel Prize is open until 1st January. They’re looking for the first 10,000 words of an uncontracted novel, together with its synopsis. All genres are accepted bar children’s. Prizes: 1st: £500 + a trophy Runners-up: £75 + a trophy Entry fee: £18 To find out more,…

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  • Monday Motivations

    Happy Monday! Here’s a little challenge for you: Write a story or poem on the theme of darkness. How you interpret the theme is up to you. Last week, your challenge was to write about the cold. Here are your interesting and entertaining pieces: Jason Moody‘s story is superb: Jessica woke with a start and…

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  • Monday Motivations

    I hope the start of a new week is going well for you. Here’s a little challenge for you: Write a story or poem on the theme of the cold. It doesn’t have to be about the weather; you can interpret the theme any way you like. Last week’s challenge was for you to write…

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  • Markets For Writers

    My market for you this week is for both short story writers and poets. The Magic Oxygen Literary Prize is open for entries into both competitions. You have plenty of time to enter; the closing date isn’t until 31st December 2016. It’s certainly worth entering, as you’ll see from the prizes on offer. The prizes…

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