The Tor site from Macmillan is full of interesting articles (for geeks). They have a lot on Iain M Banks, currently a new series on The Culture, his socialist (ish) future civilization.
Here’s a link to an article on Consider Phlebas >
I first read his SF when I found a copy of Use of Weapons in a newsagent remaindered books bin. A good one to start with. I also discovered Adam Roberts in a remainder bookshop, with Land of the Headless.
Never know what you might find!
Once the book is finished I’ll update with images from the book, downloads of extracts etc.
Everyone who has subscribed will get a free peek before official release, I’ll do a mail out about that in the next weeks.
Brain Mill Press are open for new SF manuscript submissions. These are be any novel length (40,000 words or more) story. This is organised by the Malaysian Chinese writer Yen Ooi. Closing date is 1st December 2016 (please check on application).
For full details see:
Did you know National Flash-Fiction Day is 25th June 2016? Get writing!
I wrote my first Flash Fiction in my head while in the dentist’s chair, and wrote it up on my phone the next day. With the costs of dentists and phones, I suppose that is the expensive way to do it.
These are the competitions coming up in the Spring. I will do more later in the year. Some are for ‘chap-books’ which are not for chaps only, and the lengths vary from 100 to 500 words. So check out what suits for you.
There are lots, which is great news for writers. They even have cash prizes!
Chronological order
The Fiction Desk Ghost Story Competition 2016
Go to Fiction Desk Ghost Competition >
This is not quite flash fiction but 1000 words is pretty short.
1,000 to 7,000 words
Entry by 31st March, 2016.
Ghost concept is flexible, not gore etc.
Flash 500 (UK)
500 words.
4 entries per year – 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December.
Winners notified by email within six weeks of closing dates.
This is ‘open-themed’ but winners last year were crime, crash disaster, child abuse – so Crime related.
This is not the usual ‘conflict’ (seen as too long-winded) but ‘after effects’ I suppose. I think 500 words is huge, why focus only on ‘magic moments’?
Newfoundland Prize (US)
Deadline: 15 April 2016 – EXTENDED, 15 March 2016
The Newfoundland Prose Prize for a chapbook-length (chapter-sized only) work of fiction or creative non-fiction.
Long story or essay, collection of short pieces to 60 pages maximum. 15 pages is lowest allowed.
Some aspect of the work must “inform or explore how place shapes identity, imagination, and understanding”.
National Flash-Fiction Day Competition- 2016 Micro-Fiction Competition
Closing Date: 22nd April, 2016
Go to Flash Fiction Day competition >
This year’s theme: ‘Anything’.
To enter, get writing and submit your 100 word flash-fictions on any subject and send them to us using the links below.
Entrants may enter up to 3 flash fictions in each competition.
Writers Bureau Flash Fiction Competition
This is now accepting entries.
500 words.
Closing Date: 30th April 2016
Bridport (USA)
Enter by Tue 31st May 2016.
Go to Bridport flash fiction >
Bath Flash Fiction
Entry by June 12th 2016
The winner is announced shortly after the competition closes.
It is not essential to write about sanitary ware.
Room
For women, including trans, two-spirited, and genderqueer people.
Go to Room writing competition >
For fiction and creative non-fiction, one submission includes one short story or essay of up to 3,500 words.
The judges are Marilyn Dumont (poetry) and Doretta Lau (fiction).
2016 Fiction and Poetry Contests will open April 15, 2016.
Writers & Artists
Had a competition 2015, maybe they’ll do another in 2016. Interesting site.
Go to Writers & Artists competition results >
Fish Publishing
Ended March 2016. Results 1st April 2016
Just passed – check for next one. I entered a story for this, I mentioned it in my last blog. Pass, Fail, who knows… I’ll post in April 8)