Thanks to one and all for your lovely messages about Sometimes a River Song, and to anyone doubting themselves out there (because I know that’s what we writers do) I would say that while I hope I have some talent for writing and a lifetime of reading to bring to the table, getting published is mainly the result of hard work and perseverance. I’ve had plenty of rejections. So please, keep on keeping on…
Now, here is a round up of 7 opportunities from today’s weekly newsletter. If you would like it to land in your mailbox every Monday you can sign up for it her
1.From the Scottish Booktrust, The 50-Word Fiction Competition – ‘Can you write a story in just 50 words? Each month we’ll provide a prompt to get you started, but where the story goes from there is entirely up to you.The competition includes two categories, All-Age and Young Writers (under the age of 18). All stories will be judged by the same panel and both winning stories will be published on our website. A prize will be awarded to a writer in each category: Need some inspiration or tips? Read our 50 Word Fiction blogs and check out Sophie Cooke’s 5 Things for Writing A Short Story. MORE HERE
2. Don’t forget the Bristol Prize – ‘The closing date for entries is 30th April 2016. Stories can be on any theme or subject and entry can be made online via the website or by post. Entries must be previously unpublished with a maximum length of 4,000 words. There is no minimum length. There is an entry fee of £8 per story.20 stories will be shortlisted for the first prize and published in the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 9. 1st Prize is £1,000, 2nd Prize £700, 3rd Prize £400. 17 further prizes of £100 will be presented to the writers whose stories appear on the shortlist. MORE HERE
3.Spontaneity magazine is seeking submissions –‘ What we’re looking for -The idea is simple: respond to any piece from any issue of the magazine if you’d like to be part of the next issue. You can submit something from scratch in response to a piece in the magazine, or you can send something that you made earlier – as long as there is a strong connection, this is what makes Spontaneity unique!’ MORE HERE:
4.Bath Flash Fiction Award is an international rolling flash fiction competition. Each award runs for 4 months. Judging takes place quickly with a top prize of £1000, £300 second, and £100 third. At the close of each competition, the next competition begins. Our last winner was announced within a week of the Award closing, and running three Awards per year means our total annual prize fund is £4200. All entrants will be considered for print publication in our forthcoming Bath Flash Fiction Award Anthology, due out the end of 2016. MORE HERE
5.This is a great opportunity but HURRY, applications close January 15th. ‘Word Factory is accepting applications for our 2016 apprentice scheme. We have places for four writers and will, this year, seek at least one applicant from the north of England and one from a BAME background. Applicants must be over 18, serious about developing their short story writing and passionate about working with the Word Factory team. MORE HERE
6.BBC World Service, The 25th International Radio Playwriting Competition 2016 closes on 31 January 2016. ‘Send us your 53 minute playscript for the chance to have your work produced and broadcast to millions of listeners worldwide!’ DETAILS HERE
Ten Tips on Writing for radio from the BBC.
* All work must relate to the theme of ‘Adventure’.
* Poems must be no more than 25 lines. MORE HERE
8.The Bolton Octagon Theatre has launched its first national writing prize: a competition celebrating new and original writing for the stage. Closing date Feb 26th
Entrants over 16 with any level of experience are invited to submit 40-minute dramatic monologues of any theme or genre, from children’s interactive storytelling, to adult horror. Judges will be looking for original subject matter, engaging speech and, above all, something that makes them sit up and take notice. The successful entry will be performed on the Octagon stage by professional actors, and directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman. MORE HERE
Location: National
