writing

  • Markets For Writers

    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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  • Bite Size Writing Tips

    Re-read, Re-write and Re-submit Do you save all your old stories? I do and now and then I’ll have a look back through them. I’ve discovered pieces I’d completely forgotten about. Most of you will be familiar with these – the ones you’ve entered into numerous competitions or which have done the rounds with the…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    Hope your week is going well. Here’s your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word LOTTERY in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word HERO. You sent in some entertaining stories. Here they are: Bharul Chhatbar: Hero rises to heal…

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  • Markets For Writers

    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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  • Bite Size Writing Tips

    Ever thought about writing a true-life tale for one of the women’s weeklies? Many writers cringe when it’s suggested they consider writing a true-life feature for one of the women’s weeklies. Take a look at the cover of some of them and it’s easy to see why. ‘Gunned down by her mum’s gold digging  killer’,…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    It’s Thursday and time for your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word HERO in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word VILLAIN. You sent in some super stories. Here they are: Roberta Writes: I am not a villain. Villainous…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Writing Magazine are holding their 500-word flash fiction competition. There’s no theme, so you can choose your subject, but you don’t have long – the closing date is 15th November 2019. Visit the competition page for the rules and to enter. Prizes: 1st place: £200 Runner-up: £50 Entry fees: £6 (£4 for subscribers) ***

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  • Book Review: The Magicians

    I had high hopes of this book – the first in the series by Lev Grossman. The Times described it as ‘…Harry Potter for grown-ups’. Now, being a massive Harry Potter fan, I settled down, expecting to be taken on a gripping, enchanting and thrilling journey. The blurb says: ‘Quentin Coldwater’s life is changed forever…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    Happy Halloween! It’s time for your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word VILLAIN in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word SQUASH. You sent in some fantastic stories. Here they are: Trent’s World: Pumpkin puree or squashed squash? Previously…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    It’s time for your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word SQUASH in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word KINDLE. You sent in some fantastic stories. Here they are: K Morris: The story blew the Kindle. Christine Mallaband-Brown: Re-kindle…

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