I have just received this press release:
Can members of your writing group help us with a book we are producing to raise money for Barnardo's? We are looking for very short stories of about 100 words. They must be on the theme of "Things Kids Say" and should be funny illustrations of amusing things that children have said.
We hope you can help because we need more material for the book and half of the £5.99 cover price goes to Barnardo's.We launched the book with the help of actress and TV celebrity Lynda Bellingham recently, and your members can see more details and an interview with Lynda at http://www.unitedpress.co.uk/itn.php.
We are also looking for people to do simple black ink illustrations of some of the funny stories, so if you can help in any way please let us know.
Many thanks, Peter Quinn, Managing Director, United Press
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Winchester Writers' Conference
The next Winchester Writers' Conference is scheduled for 3-5 July, with a series of workshops programmed for the week beforehand (29 June to 3 July). It's perhaps not the cheapest course but Jan, who has attended it in previous years, has always returned home fired up and full of creative enthusiasm. Visit their website for more info and booking details.
They also run a competition that is open to both attendees and non-attendees. Click here for details.
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They also run a competition that is open to both attendees and non-attendees. Click here for details.
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Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing Course
I've just received this press release:
"Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing" is designed to help you improve your creative writing techniques. This four-night crash course in what science fiction is -- and does -- is taught by one of Britain's most accomplished science fiction novelists, PAUL McAULEY -- author of 17 novels and over 70 short stories, and winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award, John W. Campbell Award and Philip K. Dick Award.
Multiple award-winning editor, writer and publisher Stephen Jones (THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW HORROR series, etc.), will be a special guest at the final class, talking about how to get published and what you need to do to build a career.
WHEN AND WHERE? 18th-21st May 2009, 6:00-9:00pm at Kingston University London, Penrhyn Road Campus, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE
WHO IS IT FOR? The course is designed for everybody -- from beginners to long-time devotees of the genre -- and McAuley will provide workshop-style discussions of student work, overviews of the history of the genre, the current state of play, and the best ways of breaking into the market.
WHAT WILL WE DO? There will also be class exercises in brainstorming story ideas and narrative development, and class discussions of topics including good work habits, getting from idea to story, research and plausibility, world-building, interaction between character and narrative, and revision and preparation for publication.
HOW WILL IT HELP ME? Before the course begins, you are invited to submit 1,000 - 2,000 words of a work in progress.
You can expect personal feedback -- by the instructor and the class as a whole -- of your work, and you will learn how to closely read and contructively critique others' stories, as well as how to revise and improve your own work.
HOW MUCH? £180 (£120 students -- student ID number required). To book go to the Kingston short course website. Kingston's main website is here; And click on the following links for more information on Paul McAuley and Stephen Jones.
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"Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing" is designed to help you improve your creative writing techniques. This four-night crash course in what science fiction is -- and does -- is taught by one of Britain's most accomplished science fiction novelists, PAUL McAULEY -- author of 17 novels and over 70 short stories, and winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award, John W. Campbell Award and Philip K. Dick Award.
Multiple award-winning editor, writer and publisher Stephen Jones (THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW HORROR series, etc.), will be a special guest at the final class, talking about how to get published and what you need to do to build a career.
WHEN AND WHERE? 18th-21st May 2009, 6:00-9:00pm at Kingston University London, Penrhyn Road Campus, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE
WHO IS IT FOR? The course is designed for everybody -- from beginners to long-time devotees of the genre -- and McAuley will provide workshop-style discussions of student work, overviews of the history of the genre, the current state of play, and the best ways of breaking into the market.
WHAT WILL WE DO? There will also be class exercises in brainstorming story ideas and narrative development, and class discussions of topics including good work habits, getting from idea to story, research and plausibility, world-building, interaction between character and narrative, and revision and preparation for publication.
HOW WILL IT HELP ME? Before the course begins, you are invited to submit 1,000 - 2,000 words of a work in progress.
You can expect personal feedback -- by the instructor and the class as a whole -- of your work, and you will learn how to closely read and contructively critique others' stories, as well as how to revise and improve your own work.
HOW MUCH? £180 (£120 students -- student ID number required). To book go to the Kingston short course website. Kingston's main website is here; And click on the following links for more information on Paul McAuley and Stephen Jones.
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It's Alchemy!
The Alchemy Writers' blog is worth a visit now and again. You'll find useful posts and links -- mostly leaning towards the fantasy, horror and science fiction field. Click on Alchemy to whizz over right now. The Alchemy Writers is a small group that meets approx every other month. Peter and Jan are members.
Friday, 17 April 2009
The Virginia Prize for Fiction
To celebrate 20 years of success as a small independent publishing house based in Richmond-upon-Thames, Aurora Metro is launching a new competition to encourage and promote new writing by women.
Virginia Woolf completed and published her first novel The Voyage Out while living in Paradise Road in Richmond where she and her husband Leonard also founded the Hogarth Press in 1917. By naming this prize in Virginia Woolf’s memory, we’d like to celebrate her significant literary contribution and her inspiration to young writers.
The Prize is open to any woman over 18 who has written an unpublished novel in English. The shortlist will be compiled in October 2009 and the £1000 prize will be awarded in November as part of Richmond’s Book Now! Literary Festival. The winning entry will be published by Aurora Metro Press in the following year.
Pop over here for details. Aurora Metro is an independent publisher of books - drama, fiction, non-fiction, humour, children's and biography. Their website can be found here.
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Virginia Woolf completed and published her first novel The Voyage Out while living in Paradise Road in Richmond where she and her husband Leonard also founded the Hogarth Press in 1917. By naming this prize in Virginia Woolf’s memory, we’d like to celebrate her significant literary contribution and her inspiration to young writers.
The Prize is open to any woman over 18 who has written an unpublished novel in English. The shortlist will be compiled in October 2009 and the £1000 prize will be awarded in November as part of Richmond’s Book Now! Literary Festival. The winning entry will be published by Aurora Metro Press in the following year.
Pop over here for details. Aurora Metro is an independent publisher of books - drama, fiction, non-fiction, humour, children's and biography. Their website can be found here.
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Monday, 13 April 2009
SCBWI-BI Undiscovered Voices 2010 Anthology
From the Undiscovered Voices website:
"SCBWI-BI is pleased to announce the return of the Undiscovered Voices anthology. As with the first anthology, this book will highlight debut fiction writers exclusively from the SCBWI British Isles region membership. The printed anthology will present a selection of novel extracts from early readers up through young adult novels and be sent to editors and agents in both the UK and the US. As before, the anthology will be produced thanks to the kind support of Working Partners Ltd.
In a change from the previous anthology, only SCBWI British Isles un-agented members can submit work for the anthology. See further eligibility rules below. There is no submission fee for this contest and the deadline is Monday 1st June 2009. See below for the submission policy. On submission, each author must sign an agreement confirming adherence to the eligibility rules and giving SCBWI-BI the right to print the submitted extract."
There is a lot more information on the website, so pop over here and here and take a few minutes to read all the rules and advice.
For more info on the SCBWI, click here.
And in case you were wondering, what does SCBWI stand for (I did), it's the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. So now you know.
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"SCBWI-BI is pleased to announce the return of the Undiscovered Voices anthology. As with the first anthology, this book will highlight debut fiction writers exclusively from the SCBWI British Isles region membership. The printed anthology will present a selection of novel extracts from early readers up through young adult novels and be sent to editors and agents in both the UK and the US. As before, the anthology will be produced thanks to the kind support of Working Partners Ltd.
In a change from the previous anthology, only SCBWI British Isles un-agented members can submit work for the anthology. See further eligibility rules below. There is no submission fee for this contest and the deadline is Monday 1st June 2009. See below for the submission policy. On submission, each author must sign an agreement confirming adherence to the eligibility rules and giving SCBWI-BI the right to print the submitted extract."
There is a lot more information on the website, so pop over here and here and take a few minutes to read all the rules and advice.
For more info on the SCBWI, click here.
And in case you were wondering, what does SCBWI stand for (I did), it's the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. So now you know.
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Teenage Fiction Competition
I know that a number of SToW members are interested in writing for children and teenagers. If you need inspiration, maybe entering a competition will spur you on. I cannot vouchsafe for any of the competitons that have been listed on this blog. Anyway, here are the details:
1st Prize: £100; 2nd Prize: £75; 3rd Prize: £25; 4th Prize: Critique of story of choice to the value of £20; Closing Date: 6th June 2009; Entry Fee: £3.00
"Have you ever fancied writing a story that can reach out and enthrall teenagers everywhere?
Writing for the teenage market is a fun and exciting project. Like us, teenagers have a wide taste in fiction: from romance to mysteries to everyday stories that may contain a message. The theme for this competition is open to interpretation but must be created specifically for teenagers. Think in terms of language, lifestyles, issues and dilemmas encountered by today’s teens. Maximum word count is 2000 and stories must be original and unpublished."
Visit the Creative Competitor website for details.
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1st Prize: £100; 2nd Prize: £75; 3rd Prize: £25; 4th Prize: Critique of story of choice to the value of £20; Closing Date: 6th June 2009; Entry Fee: £3.00
"Have you ever fancied writing a story that can reach out and enthrall teenagers everywhere?
Writing for the teenage market is a fun and exciting project. Like us, teenagers have a wide taste in fiction: from romance to mysteries to everyday stories that may contain a message. The theme for this competition is open to interpretation but must be created specifically for teenagers. Think in terms of language, lifestyles, issues and dilemmas encountered by today’s teens. Maximum word count is 2000 and stories must be original and unpublished."
Visit the Creative Competitor website for details.
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Sunday, 12 April 2009
The London Book Fair
Every year I promise myself to go to this event, and every year I 'forget' to get organised enough to attended. Same this year -- just realised that the Book Fair is a few days off. Never mind, maybe in 2010. Full details of the event can be found here.
Goings on in the West Midlands
A list of literary events in the West Midlands can be found here, part of the Lit-Net website.
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Saturday, 11 April 2009
Adventures in Fiction
This is taken from the Adventures in Fiction website:
"We are pleased to announce the fourth year of the Apprenticeships In Fiction scheme. This year we are offering five placements including one for crime and one for children’s fiction (age range 11-16). The selection panel will include Stephanie Glencross from the influential Gregory and Company Literary Agency.
In its first three years, the scheme has already resulted in a publication and referred a further six writers to literary agents. Four writers have also secured funding, two from Arts Council England, one for an individual mentoring programme with Adventures In Fiction and one to support an apprenticeship placement."
To find out more, and how to apply, visit Adventures in Fiction and then their Apprenticeship pages.
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"We are pleased to announce the fourth year of the Apprenticeships In Fiction scheme. This year we are offering five placements including one for crime and one for children’s fiction (age range 11-16). The selection panel will include Stephanie Glencross from the influential Gregory and Company Literary Agency.
In its first three years, the scheme has already resulted in a publication and referred a further six writers to literary agents. Four writers have also secured funding, two from Arts Council England, one for an individual mentoring programme with Adventures In Fiction and one to support an apprenticeship placement."
To find out more, and how to apply, visit Adventures in Fiction and then their Apprenticeship pages.
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Members websites and blogs
If you are a member or friend of SToW and you have a website, and you want it mentioned here, send me the URL. Well, let's be honest, if you do have web presence you surely want it to be seen.
Nicholas Corder
Jan Edwards
Peter Coleborn
Jenny Barber
Peter Coleborn (I'm greedy!)
Mike Chinn
Peter Coleborn (told you I'm greedy; actually, this is to my Flickr site)
Alchemy Writers (a national group that includes a couple of SToW members)
And here is the link to the Creative Stoke website.
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Nicholas Corder
Jan Edwards
Peter Coleborn
Jenny Barber
Peter Coleborn (I'm greedy!)
Mike Chinn
Peter Coleborn (told you I'm greedy; actually, this is to my Flickr site)
Alchemy Writers (a national group that includes a couple of SToW members)
And here is the link to the Creative Stoke website.
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Poetry on Loan
Poetry on Loan is joint promotion from the public libraries in the West Midlands. They have a website located here. POL appears to be connected to Lit-Net, a West Midlands literature group. And that's all I know about them; if you have more info that you wish to share, send it to stokeonwriting@gmail.com.
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A Sense of Place
Stoke-on-Trent Central Library is hosting a series of poetry workshops titled "A Sense of Place". The workshops will be lead by Dinesh Allirajah, a founder member of the North West writing group, Asian Voices, Asian Lives. You can find more info on Dinesh by clicking here.
The workshops take place on the following Saturdays: 2nd May, 16th May, 30th May, 13th June and 27th June, at 10.00 a.m. (to end at 1.00 p.m.). Actually, the press release calls this a course, so you may be expected to attend all the workshops rather than just one -- this isn't made clear. I suggest that you phone the Library to check: 01782 238455.
The workshops are free (a nice touch in these hard economic times) but booking is essential. Ring the above number to book your places.
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The workshops take place on the following Saturdays: 2nd May, 16th May, 30th May, 13th June and 27th June, at 10.00 a.m. (to end at 1.00 p.m.). Actually, the press release calls this a course, so you may be expected to attend all the workshops rather than just one -- this isn't made clear. I suggest that you phone the Library to check: 01782 238455.
The workshops are free (a nice touch in these hard economic times) but booking is essential. Ring the above number to book your places.
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Write On, and on and on...
The Stoke-on-Trent Library has announced The Write On Anthology. This book will be published later in the year, and will contain a mix of prose and poetry. The submission date is 1st September 2009 -- so get your pens, typewriters and keyboards cooking...
Each contributor may submit prose up to 1200 words or verse up to 40 lines, or a combination of the two (on a pro rata basis). The anthology is only open to the participants of the various Stoke workshops held over the past 18 months. Every contributor will receive a copy of the book and will be able to purchase further copies (approx £5 each).
The Library's press release states: no salacious, libellous or offensive material; submissions may be edited; submission does not guarantee acceptance; and contributors must keep copies of all their work in case stuff goes missing.
Send submissions (preferably on disk plus a hard copy) to:
Write On Anthology (c/o Emma George)
City Centre Library
Bethesda Street
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 3RS
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Each contributor may submit prose up to 1200 words or verse up to 40 lines, or a combination of the two (on a pro rata basis). The anthology is only open to the participants of the various Stoke workshops held over the past 18 months. Every contributor will receive a copy of the book and will be able to purchase further copies (approx £5 each).
The Library's press release states: no salacious, libellous or offensive material; submissions may be edited; submission does not guarantee acceptance; and contributors must keep copies of all their work in case stuff goes missing.
Send submissions (preferably on disk plus a hard copy) to:
Write On Anthology (c/o Emma George)
City Centre Library
Bethesda Street
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 3RS
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More online publications
Many thanks to Jenny for sending me the following links -- more online venues for your fiction:
http://www.strangehorizons.com
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com
http://www.darkfantasy.org/fantasy/
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http://www.strangehorizons.com
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com
http://www.darkfantasy.org/fantasy/
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Thursday, 9 April 2009
Just a minute
The minutes from the latest SToW meeting, held on 4th April, are available. If you would like a copy via email please contact us on stokeonwriting@gmail.com
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Competition links
The following are links to websites detailing story and poetry competitions. Often there is an entry fee -- so competitors beware: I have no idea how these competitions function. If you have experience of these and you want to pass it on please contact me. And send me updates and corrections and news of any other competitions.
http://www.pw.org/content/grants_amp_awards_your_guide_writing_contests?was=/mag/grantsawards.htm
http://www.biscuitpublishing.com/comp/index.html
http://www.chapteronepromotions.com/competitions/open-short-story-competition.htm
http://www.writersbureau.com/competition/
http://www.jbwb.co.uk/writingcomps.htm
http://seawoman.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/the-commonwealth-short-story-competition-2009-united-kingdom/
http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/going-out/Short-story-competition-2009/v1
http://www.britishfantasysociety.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=43
http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/user/Competition.php
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http://www.pw.org/content/grants_amp_awards_your_guide_writing_contests?was=/mag/grantsawards.htm
http://www.biscuitpublishing.com/comp/index.html
http://www.chapteronepromotions.com/competitions/open-short-story-competition.htm
http://www.writersbureau.com/competition/
http://www.jbwb.co.uk/writingcomps.htm
http://seawoman.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/the-commonwealth-short-story-competition-2009-united-kingdom/
http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/going-out/Short-story-competition-2009/v1
http://www.britishfantasysociety.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=43
http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/user/Competition.php
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Online short story markets
These links all head off to websites that seem to publish short stories. I can not comment on the quality of the fiction, so it's try and buy -- except you don't actually have to pay for anything. If you know of any other sites, let me know, and let me know if any of these are worth revisiting on a regular basis.
http://www.pantechnicon.net/
http://www.short-stories.co.uk/
http://www.short-fiction.co.uk/
http://www.fringemagazine.org/
http://www.hubfiction.com/
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/
http://www.indianchild.com/short_stories.htm
http://www.storiesville.com/
And this sites appears to be about short fiction:
http://www.theshortstory.org.uk/
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http://www.pantechnicon.net/
http://www.short-stories.co.uk/
http://www.short-fiction.co.uk/
http://www.fringemagazine.org/
http://www.hubfiction.com/
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/
http://www.indianchild.com/short_stories.htm
http://www.storiesville.com/
And this sites appears to be about short fiction:
http://www.theshortstory.org.uk/
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Monday, 6 April 2009
Date of next Meeting
The next SToW meeting is scheduled for Saturday 9 May at 10.00 am at the Bentilee Community Centre.
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