Carina Press is pleased to announce a call for submissions for our 2012 holiday collections. This will be the only open collection call for 2012 and is an excellent opportunity for authors interested in participating in the normally by-invitation-only Carina Press collections.
Carina is looking for science fiction novellas with a winter holiday theme, to be published digitally both individually and as a collection in December 2012. The novellas should be from 18,000 to 35,000 words and feature science fiction elements as integral to the novella. The stories do not need to be romance, or even have romance elements, but can be straight science fiction, or science fiction with romantic elements, and can also feature elements of mystery, thriller, horror or other sub-genres. Additionally, there is no set heat level for these stories, so they can have no sex, or be ultra-sexy, or anything in between.
I recognize that saying simply “science fiction” leaves room for a tremendous amount of interpretation within the genre. However, this is preferable as I feel narrowing it down too much might leave out something amazing.
Essentially, we’re looking for interesting, creative, well-written stories within the science fiction genre that will appeal to readers’ imaginations and add to our growing catalog of science fiction stories.
The science fiction holiday collection will be edited by Angela James and supported by a marketing and promotion campaign both online and in print. In addition, each author chosen to contribute to the anthology will receive a set number of limited-edition print copies for their own use in giveaways and contests (or to decorate their own bookshelves).
To submit, please send your completed manuscript and synopsis, along with query letter to submissions@carinapress.com by March 15th, 20112. In the subject line, please put SciFi Holiday: Manuscript Title and Author
All submissions will be reviewed and final decision made by April 30th, 2012.
For questions about this call for submissions, please email Angela James at submissions@carinapress.com
For more information about Carina Press, and to read the submission guidelines, please visit www.carinapress.com
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Welcome
to the newest member of Wombourne Writers - Beatrice Olivia born on Bonfire Night! Congratulations to Vik and family from all at Wombourne Writers.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
November Homework
7th December meeting, Xmas party. Judie will email everyone with suggestions of what food/ drink to bring. Please bring a decorated hat with a literary theme. Homework is poetry or prose on the theme 'An Alternative Christmas'. Also, don't forget to bring a giftwrapped book for the book swap - second hand or gently read books are fine.
January's meeting will be held on the SECOND Wednesday (11th Jan 2012)- as we felt not many would turn out so close to NewYear. The homework is a short story (1000- 2000 words), any genre, on the theme of 'Clocks'. This is for a competition, closing date 31st Jan. For full details see www.birminghambookfestival.org There are prizes!!
January's meeting will be held on the SECOND Wednesday (11th Jan 2012)- as we felt not many would turn out so close to NewYear. The homework is a short story (1000- 2000 words), any genre, on the theme of 'Clocks'. This is for a competition, closing date 31st Jan. For full details see www.birminghambookfestival.org There are prizes!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
October Meeting - Homework
Next meeting is AGM - 7.15pm prompt.
Homework - create the opening lines of a novel - between 50-150 words - and introduce the word row. You can use the word as you wish, noun, verb or adjective. eg blazing row, rowing boat, row of beans.
You can enter it in a competition to win £400 book tokens and a place on an Arvon writing course also 5 runners up prizes. Judges are Fay Weldon, James Buchan, Sarah Waters. Enter by Friday 28th October to The Mail on Sunday Novel Competition, PO box 150, Rochester, Kent, ME1 9AG
Homework - create the opening lines of a novel - between 50-150 words - and introduce the word row. You can use the word as you wish, noun, verb or adjective. eg blazing row, rowing boat, row of beans.
You can enter it in a competition to win £400 book tokens and a place on an Arvon writing course also 5 runners up prizes. Judges are Fay Weldon, James Buchan, Sarah Waters. Enter by Friday 28th October to The Mail on Sunday Novel Competition, PO box 150, Rochester, Kent, ME1 9AG
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Write womens fiction?
Enter HERE for a chance to get your manuscript in front of an editor - Free entry!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Win a ticket to Festival Of Romance
Go Here and leave a comment - it's a fab prize for a lovely day out.
Friday, September 16, 2011
"PAST & PRESENT" EXHIBITION
WOMBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL "PAST & PRESENT" EXHIBITION
28TH, 29TH & 30TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AT THE CIVIC CENTRE
Opens at 2pm
Check out our stand.
URGENT!!!!!! Please let Carol know asap or sooner if you can help put up, take down or man the stand!!!!!
28TH, 29TH & 30TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AT THE CIVIC CENTRE
Opens at 2pm
Check out our stand.
URGENT!!!!!! Please let Carol know asap or sooner if you can help put up, take down or man the stand!!!!!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
September Meeting - Homework
In honour of national poetry day in October, write a poem with the theme - Games. Any form or length.
ATTENTION
Please also bring some favourite poems with you for discussion.
ATTENTION
Please also bring some favourite poems with you for discussion.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
July Meeting - homework
Write a 1000 word maximum retelling of a fairytale. Can be for adults or children.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Paranormal short?
Check this out Got a short 2-3k previously unpublished paranormal story? Fancy winning 1000 dollars? Free entry!
Monday, June 27, 2011
For the poets
Mslexia workshop Click the link for some poetry exercise from Jane Holland, who kindly advised us on our last poetry dilema
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
June Meeting - homework
Homework for this month is a piece of Flash fiction - 500 words or less on the subject of opposites. Or a 2,000 word short story, 50 line poetry, 2,000 word script or 2,000 word non fiction on the same subject.
In other news; Eric is collecting copies of work for future anthologies. Please give any typed copies of work to Eric with name in top right corner and date on last page bottom left.
In other news; Eric is collecting copies of work for future anthologies. Please give any typed copies of work to Eric with name in top right corner and date on last page bottom left.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Guardian short story contest
Guardian Weekend summer fiction special: Calling budding writers
Fancy yourself as a writer? Well, here's your chance for your story to appear in the Guardian Weekend's fiction special this summer
Charlotte Northedge
The Guardian, Saturday 14 May 2011
Article history
Handwriting 460
Guardian Weekend's summer fiction special is your chance to appear in print alongside some of the best writers around today.
Are you a budding writer? Every year, in August, the Guardian's Weekend magazine publishes a selection of original fiction by some of the best authors writing today. Last year's fiction special featured stories by Hilary Mantel, Roddy Doyle, David Mitchell and Barbara Trapido, among others, and this summer we will be unveiling another line-up of stellar names. Yours could be among them.
Top novelists judge the entries, and they will be looking for the most original, gripping and well-crafted pieces of writing. Their favourite story will be published in the magazine, while the five runners-up will have their stories published online at guardian.co.uk/books.
The theme of this year's fiction special is "journeys", and to enter all you need to do is send us a story of no more than 2,000 words by 13 June. The work must be previously unpublished and we can accept only one story per entrant.
If you have always wanted to try your hand at writing, but never had the reason – or the discipline – to get started, now's your chance.
Send your story by 13 June to Short Stories, Guardian Weekend, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, or email it to short.story@guardian.co.uk (no attachments, please). Include a daytime phone number with your entry.
Terms and conditions apply – for full details, see below.
Terms and conditions
Entering the competition
1. The Short Story competition (the "Competition") is open to UK residents aged 18 and over ("You") subject to paragraph 2. below.
2. Employees or agencies of Guardian News & Media Limited ("GNM", "We"), its group companies or their family members, or anyone else connected with the Competition may not enter the Competition.
3. By entering the Competition, you are accepting these terms and conditions.
4. To enter the Competition, you must send a story of no more than 2,000 words to short.story@guardian.co.uk or Short Stories, Guardian Weekend, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. The theme is "journeys" and the stories should be previously unpublished. Only one story can be submitted per entrant. Please include a phone number. If You have any questions about how to enter or in connection with the Competition, please email us at short.story@guardian.co.uk.
5. You are responsible for the cost (if any) of sending your Competition entry to us.
6. Only one entry is permitted per person.
7. The closing date and time of the Competition is 5pm on 13 June. Entries received after that date and time will not be considered.
8. You own the copyright to your Competition entry as its author.
9. By submitting an entry to the Competition, You give GNM:
a. Permission for your entry to be published on guardian.co.uk and grant GNM a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to republish your Competition entry in electronic format and hard copy for purposes connected with the Competition; and
b. The right to use your name and town or city of residence for the sole purpose of identifying You as the author of your entry and/or as a winner of the Competition.
10. Your entry must be your own work, must not be copied, must not contain any third-party materials and/or content that You do not have permission to use and must not otherwise be obscene, defamatory or in breach of any applicable legislation or regulations. If We have reason to believe your entry is not your own work or otherwise breaches this paragraph 10, then We may not consider it.
Picking the winner
11. Two independent novelist judges will choose one winning entry and five runners up from all the Competition entries. Full details of the judging process and the judges are available on request to short.story@guardian.co.uk.
12. When choosing the winner, the judges will be looking for the most original, gripping and well-crafted piece of writing.
13. The judges' decision of who the winner is will be made on or before Friday 15 July. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Prize
14. One winner will have their short story published in the annual Guardian Weekend short fiction special issue in August.
15. The winner will be notified by GNM by email on or before Friday 15 July. If a winner does not respond to GNM within 7 days of being notified by GNM, then the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner (and that winner will have to respond to the phone call or email from GNM within 7 days or else they will also forfeit their prize). If a winner rejects their prize, then the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner.
16. Details of the winner and their winning entry will also be published in Guardian Weekend in August or (at GNM's sole discretion) at a later date.
17. The prize cannot be exchanged or transferred by You and cannot be redeemed by You for cash or any other prize.
Some other rules
18. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed.
19. We take no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt.
20. Details of the winners can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the following address: Short Stories, Guardian Weekend, Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.
21. No purchase is necessary.
22. The winner may be required for promotional activity.
23. The Promoter of the Competition is Guardian News & Media Limited whose address is Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Any complaints regarding the Competition should be sent to this address.
24. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude the liability of GNM for death, personal injury, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation as a result of its negligence.
25. GNM accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by You as a result of entering the Competition or accepting any prize. GNM further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to You or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the Competition.
26. GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud). The decision of GNM in all matters under its control is final and binding.
27. GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.
28. The Competition will be governed by English law.
Fancy yourself as a writer? Well, here's your chance for your story to appear in the Guardian Weekend's fiction special this summer
Charlotte Northedge
The Guardian, Saturday 14 May 2011
Article history
Handwriting 460
Guardian Weekend's summer fiction special is your chance to appear in print alongside some of the best writers around today.
Are you a budding writer? Every year, in August, the Guardian's Weekend magazine publishes a selection of original fiction by some of the best authors writing today. Last year's fiction special featured stories by Hilary Mantel, Roddy Doyle, David Mitchell and Barbara Trapido, among others, and this summer we will be unveiling another line-up of stellar names. Yours could be among them.
Top novelists judge the entries, and they will be looking for the most original, gripping and well-crafted pieces of writing. Their favourite story will be published in the magazine, while the five runners-up will have their stories published online at guardian.co.uk/books.
The theme of this year's fiction special is "journeys", and to enter all you need to do is send us a story of no more than 2,000 words by 13 June. The work must be previously unpublished and we can accept only one story per entrant.
If you have always wanted to try your hand at writing, but never had the reason – or the discipline – to get started, now's your chance.
Send your story by 13 June to Short Stories, Guardian Weekend, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, or email it to short.story@guardian.co.uk (no attachments, please). Include a daytime phone number with your entry.
Terms and conditions apply – for full details, see below.
Terms and conditions
Entering the competition
1. The Short Story competition (the "Competition") is open to UK residents aged 18 and over ("You") subject to paragraph 2. below.
2. Employees or agencies of Guardian News & Media Limited ("GNM", "We"), its group companies or their family members, or anyone else connected with the Competition may not enter the Competition.
3. By entering the Competition, you are accepting these terms and conditions.
4. To enter the Competition, you must send a story of no more than 2,000 words to short.story@guardian.co.uk or Short Stories, Guardian Weekend, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. The theme is "journeys" and the stories should be previously unpublished. Only one story can be submitted per entrant. Please include a phone number. If You have any questions about how to enter or in connection with the Competition, please email us at short.story@guardian.co.uk.
5. You are responsible for the cost (if any) of sending your Competition entry to us.
6. Only one entry is permitted per person.
7. The closing date and time of the Competition is 5pm on 13 June. Entries received after that date and time will not be considered.
8. You own the copyright to your Competition entry as its author.
9. By submitting an entry to the Competition, You give GNM:
a. Permission for your entry to be published on guardian.co.uk and grant GNM a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to republish your Competition entry in electronic format and hard copy for purposes connected with the Competition; and
b. The right to use your name and town or city of residence for the sole purpose of identifying You as the author of your entry and/or as a winner of the Competition.
10. Your entry must be your own work, must not be copied, must not contain any third-party materials and/or content that You do not have permission to use and must not otherwise be obscene, defamatory or in breach of any applicable legislation or regulations. If We have reason to believe your entry is not your own work or otherwise breaches this paragraph 10, then We may not consider it.
Picking the winner
11. Two independent novelist judges will choose one winning entry and five runners up from all the Competition entries. Full details of the judging process and the judges are available on request to short.story@guardian.co.uk.
12. When choosing the winner, the judges will be looking for the most original, gripping and well-crafted piece of writing.
13. The judges' decision of who the winner is will be made on or before Friday 15 July. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Prize
14. One winner will have their short story published in the annual Guardian Weekend short fiction special issue in August.
15. The winner will be notified by GNM by email on or before Friday 15 July. If a winner does not respond to GNM within 7 days of being notified by GNM, then the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner (and that winner will have to respond to the phone call or email from GNM within 7 days or else they will also forfeit their prize). If a winner rejects their prize, then the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner.
16. Details of the winner and their winning entry will also be published in Guardian Weekend in August or (at GNM's sole discretion) at a later date.
17. The prize cannot be exchanged or transferred by You and cannot be redeemed by You for cash or any other prize.
Some other rules
18. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed.
19. We take no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt.
20. Details of the winners can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the following address: Short Stories, Guardian Weekend, Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.
21. No purchase is necessary.
22. The winner may be required for promotional activity.
23. The Promoter of the Competition is Guardian News & Media Limited whose address is Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Any complaints regarding the Competition should be sent to this address.
24. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude the liability of GNM for death, personal injury, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation as a result of its negligence.
25. GNM accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by You as a result of entering the Competition or accepting any prize. GNM further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to You or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the Competition.
26. GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud). The decision of GNM in all matters under its control is final and binding.
27. GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.
28. The Competition will be governed by English law.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May notices and homework
Wombourne writers are having a display table at an event on Wednesday 18th May. Any meber who is available that day to man/woman the stand for a couple of hours, please contact Carol. Also Carol and Anita would like some samples of members work for the display. If you have something you think would be useful please pass it to Carol or Anita - ready printed please ready for display.
This months exercise is based on the competition listed further down:
The Deadline
She stood looking up at the house. At the blank grey walls, the shuttered windows with empty boxes on the concrete sills, the stern front door. The house said nothing about what it was or what took place inside, it was unassuming and nondescript and uninviting. She'd come here several times before, but never got the courage to go in. Now, there was no choice. The deadline was today, no last chance of a reprieve or change of heart. If she was going to do it, it had to be now. She shivered, chill from the sudden drop in temperature now the light was fading, or from excitement or from fear, she didn't know. Also, the sense of possibility that, by pressing this suburban doorbell, her life could - would - alter for good. But still she lingered on the unwashed step, picking at a thread of wool come loose from her glove, caught between the girl she was and the woman she might be. A deadline she never thought she would face…
So, what happens next? Let us know in 1,000 words.
This months exercise is based on the competition listed further down:
The Deadline
She stood looking up at the house. At the blank grey walls, the shuttered windows with empty boxes on the concrete sills, the stern front door. The house said nothing about what it was or what took place inside, it was unassuming and nondescript and uninviting. She'd come here several times before, but never got the courage to go in. Now, there was no choice. The deadline was today, no last chance of a reprieve or change of heart. If she was going to do it, it had to be now. She shivered, chill from the sudden drop in temperature now the light was fading, or from excitement or from fear, she didn't know. Also, the sense of possibility that, by pressing this suburban doorbell, her life could - would - alter for good. But still she lingered on the unwashed step, picking at a thread of wool come loose from her glove, caught between the girl she was and the woman she might be. A deadline she never thought she would face…
So, what happens next? Let us know in 1,000 words.
Local events for Big Book Fortnight!
Jean Baggott
Wednesday 18th May - 10.30am – 11.30am
Meet talented needlewoman Jean Baggott talking about her book The Girl On the Wall and her fabulous tapestry that inspired it
FREE but booking is essential. Contact Sedgley Library to reserve your place
Tel: 01384 812790
Miranda Dickinson
Wednesday 25th May - 7pm – 9pm
Miranda Dickinson is the bestselling author of Fairytale of New York and Welcome to My World.
An evening with Miranda Dickinson plus colours, cupcakes and confidence!
Ticketed event – contact Kingswinford Library for prices & to book your ticket
Tel: 01384 812740
Wednesday 26th May - 7.30pm – 9pm
Meet crime writers Sam Hayes, Barbara Nadel & Julia Crouch talking about their chilling new books Someone Else’s Son, A Noble Killing and Cuckoo
Ticketed event – tickets available from Halesowen Library & Stourbridge Library
Tel: 01384 812982 (Halesowen Library) for prices & to book your ticket
Books will be for sale at all the events & authors are happy to sign copies.
More details are available on http://www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries/reading-and-writing/events
Wednesday 18th May - 10.30am – 11.30am
Meet talented needlewoman Jean Baggott talking about her book The Girl On the Wall and her fabulous tapestry that inspired it
FREE but booking is essential. Contact Sedgley Library to reserve your place
Tel: 01384 812790
Miranda Dickinson
Wednesday 25th May - 7pm – 9pm
Miranda Dickinson is the bestselling author of Fairytale of New York and Welcome to My World.
An evening with Miranda Dickinson plus colours, cupcakes and confidence!
Ticketed event – contact Kingswinford Library for prices & to book your ticket
Tel: 01384 812740
Wednesday 26th May - 7.30pm – 9pm
Meet crime writers Sam Hayes, Barbara Nadel & Julia Crouch talking about their chilling new books Someone Else’s Son, A Noble Killing and Cuckoo
Ticketed event – tickets available from Halesowen Library & Stourbridge Library
Tel: 01384 812982 (Halesowen Library) for prices & to book your ticket
Books will be for sale at all the events & authors are happy to sign copies.
More details are available on http://www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries/reading-and-writing/events
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Two new places to look at
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Free contest - female writers - sorry guys!
Deadline: 10 May 2011
Do you ever dream about being a best-selling novelist with the literary world at your feet? Well, calling all unpublished female writers: if you’re bursting with creative talent and have lots of good ideas, this is your opportunity! Grazia in conjunction with the Orange Prize for Fiction, are launching an amazing ‘first chapter’ competition to find budding new female writing talent.
Writers often say the opening paragraph is the hardest part of the novel process, so we’ve invited international best-selling author, Kate Mosse (Labyrinth, Sepulchre and The Winter Ghosts) to write the introduction for you (see below). What you need to do now is ‘finish off’ the first chapter in 1,000 words. It’s up to you where you take the story: what we’re looking for is brilliant, original and imaginative writing. The winner will be announced at the Orange Prize for Fiction award ceremony in June – where you will be in illustrious company with some of the world’s top literary editors, agents, publishers and of course novelists.
So, here goes…
Kate Mosse has started off the story - The Deadline - below. Can you finish this first chapter off in 1000 words?
The Deadline
She stood looking up at the house. At the blank grey walls, the shuttered windows with empty boxes on the concrete sills, the stern front door. The house said nothing about what it was or what took place inside, it was unassuming and nondescript and uninviting. She'd come here several times before, but never got the courage to go in. Now, there was no choice. The deadline was today, no last chance of a reprieve or change of heart. If she was going to do it, it had to be now. She shivered, chill from the sudden drop in temperature now the light was fading, or from excitement or from fear, she didn't know. Also, the sense of possibility that, by pressing this suburban doorbell, her life could - would - alter for good. But still she lingered on the unwashed step, picking at a thread of wool come loose from her glove, caught between the girl she was and the woman she might be. A deadline she never thought she would face…
So, what happens next? Let us know in 1,000 words.
YOUR ENTRY MUST INCLUDE
1. An original 1,000 word ‘first chapter’ on The Deadline, which follows on from Kate Mosse’s first paragraph.
2. A brief autobiography of 50 words.
3. Your full name and address.
4. All entries should be submitted no later than 10 MAY to either Victoria Harper, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JG or Victoria.Harper@graziamagazine.co.uk
WHAT YOU'LL WIN
First prize is £1,000 and the publication of your story in Grazia. The winner will also attend the exclusive awards party at the Royal Festival Hall on 8 June where they will receive their award on stage (prize includes travel and hotel). Two runners-up will each receive £500 and publication of their stories right here on Grazia Daily. All three winners will receive copies of the six shortlisted books for this year's Orange Prize for Fiction.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Only one entry will be accepted per person. The closing date for receipt of competition entries is 10 May 2011. The competition is only open to UK residents over the age of 18, who do not have an existing or previous contract with a publishing house. Entry to the competition and acceptance of the prize constitutes permission to use any winner's name, image and any competition entry photograph, for promotional and/or editorial purposes without additional consultation, and acceptance of these rules. By entering you agree that, should you win, Grazia will have first publication rights to your entry with exclusivity for a period of 56 days following publication. This competition is not open to employees of Bauer or our competition partners or their direct family members. The winner/s will be selected by the judging panel. Entries must include the story (1,000 words maximum), autobiography (50 words maximum) and their full name and address. Entries in the incorrect format will not be considered. Entries cannot be returned. Entrants must produce all writing themselves, without any assistance, and the completed piece must be the result of their own labours. Entrants warrant to BAUER UK that nothing within the piece is libellous, obscene, or in any way infringes the copyright or rights of third parties. Only the winner/s will be contacted personally. The name of the winner/s will be available by sending a SAE to Grazia and Orange First Chapter award, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JG. Entrants must be available to travel to London on 8 June for the prize-giving ceremony. First Prize for two people includes: Q Travel to and from London (standard class rail within mainland UK; flights from NI only). Q Luxury hotel accommodation (bed & breakfast only). Q All additional expenses to be paid by Prize Winner (eg bar bills, meals) Q Two tickets to the Orange Prize for Fiction 2011 awards ceremony on 8 June 2011. Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred although BAUER UK reserves the right to change the prizes in the event of unforeseen circumstances. There will be no cash alternative. Bauer Media does not accept any responsibility for late or lost entries. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. Bauer Media’s decision is final in every situation and no correspondence will be entered into. Bauer Media shall be permitted to exclude any entrant at any time at its sole discretion.
Contact Information:
For inquiries: Victoria.harper@graziamagazine.co.uk
For submissions: Victoria.harper@graziamagazine.co.uk
Website: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk
Do you ever dream about being a best-selling novelist with the literary world at your feet? Well, calling all unpublished female writers: if you’re bursting with creative talent and have lots of good ideas, this is your opportunity! Grazia in conjunction with the Orange Prize for Fiction, are launching an amazing ‘first chapter’ competition to find budding new female writing talent.
Writers often say the opening paragraph is the hardest part of the novel process, so we’ve invited international best-selling author, Kate Mosse (Labyrinth, Sepulchre and The Winter Ghosts) to write the introduction for you (see below). What you need to do now is ‘finish off’ the first chapter in 1,000 words. It’s up to you where you take the story: what we’re looking for is brilliant, original and imaginative writing. The winner will be announced at the Orange Prize for Fiction award ceremony in June – where you will be in illustrious company with some of the world’s top literary editors, agents, publishers and of course novelists.
So, here goes…
Kate Mosse has started off the story - The Deadline - below. Can you finish this first chapter off in 1000 words?
The Deadline
She stood looking up at the house. At the blank grey walls, the shuttered windows with empty boxes on the concrete sills, the stern front door. The house said nothing about what it was or what took place inside, it was unassuming and nondescript and uninviting. She'd come here several times before, but never got the courage to go in. Now, there was no choice. The deadline was today, no last chance of a reprieve or change of heart. If she was going to do it, it had to be now. She shivered, chill from the sudden drop in temperature now the light was fading, or from excitement or from fear, she didn't know. Also, the sense of possibility that, by pressing this suburban doorbell, her life could - would - alter for good. But still she lingered on the unwashed step, picking at a thread of wool come loose from her glove, caught between the girl she was and the woman she might be. A deadline she never thought she would face…
So, what happens next? Let us know in 1,000 words.
YOUR ENTRY MUST INCLUDE
1. An original 1,000 word ‘first chapter’ on The Deadline, which follows on from Kate Mosse’s first paragraph.
2. A brief autobiography of 50 words.
3. Your full name and address.
4. All entries should be submitted no later than 10 MAY to either Victoria Harper, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JG or Victoria.Harper@graziamagazine.co.uk
WHAT YOU'LL WIN
First prize is £1,000 and the publication of your story in Grazia. The winner will also attend the exclusive awards party at the Royal Festival Hall on 8 June where they will receive their award on stage (prize includes travel and hotel). Two runners-up will each receive £500 and publication of their stories right here on Grazia Daily. All three winners will receive copies of the six shortlisted books for this year's Orange Prize for Fiction.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Only one entry will be accepted per person. The closing date for receipt of competition entries is 10 May 2011. The competition is only open to UK residents over the age of 18, who do not have an existing or previous contract with a publishing house. Entry to the competition and acceptance of the prize constitutes permission to use any winner's name, image and any competition entry photograph, for promotional and/or editorial purposes without additional consultation, and acceptance of these rules. By entering you agree that, should you win, Grazia will have first publication rights to your entry with exclusivity for a period of 56 days following publication. This competition is not open to employees of Bauer or our competition partners or their direct family members. The winner/s will be selected by the judging panel. Entries must include the story (1,000 words maximum), autobiography (50 words maximum) and their full name and address. Entries in the incorrect format will not be considered. Entries cannot be returned. Entrants must produce all writing themselves, without any assistance, and the completed piece must be the result of their own labours. Entrants warrant to BAUER UK that nothing within the piece is libellous, obscene, or in any way infringes the copyright or rights of third parties. Only the winner/s will be contacted personally. The name of the winner/s will be available by sending a SAE to Grazia and Orange First Chapter award, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JG. Entrants must be available to travel to London on 8 June for the prize-giving ceremony. First Prize for two people includes: Q Travel to and from London (standard class rail within mainland UK; flights from NI only). Q Luxury hotel accommodation (bed & breakfast only). Q All additional expenses to be paid by Prize Winner (eg bar bills, meals) Q Two tickets to the Orange Prize for Fiction 2011 awards ceremony on 8 June 2011. Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred although BAUER UK reserves the right to change the prizes in the event of unforeseen circumstances. There will be no cash alternative. Bauer Media does not accept any responsibility for late or lost entries. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. Bauer Media’s decision is final in every situation and no correspondence will be entered into. Bauer Media shall be permitted to exclude any entrant at any time at its sole discretion.
Contact Information:
For inquiries: Victoria.harper@graziamagazine.co.uk
For submissions: Victoria.harper@graziamagazine.co.uk
Website: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Exercise for May meeting
The 'homework' to be done ready for the next meeting is to write a 10 minute play for radio. It must be a mystery. If possible please bring extra copies to the meeting so you can 'cast' your play for reading aloud.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Harry Bowling Prize
This is from Sue Moorcrofts blog If you're an unpublished novelist - check out the details!
Monday, March 14, 2011
For Fantasy Writers
FantasyCon 2011 is delighted to announce author and screenwriter Peter
Atkins as its third Guest of Honour. Peter was born in Liverpool and
now lives in Los Angeles. He is the author of the novels Morningstar,
Big Thunder, and Moontown and the screenplays Hellraiser II, Hellraiser
III, Hellraiser IV, Wishmaster, and Prisoners of the Sun. His short
fiction has appeared in such best-selling anthologies as The Museum of
Horrors, Dark Delicacies II, and Hellbound Hearts and has been selected
four times for the award-winning annual Best New Horror. Magazines to
which he has contributed include Weird Tales, The Magazine of Fantasy
and Science Fiction, Postscripts and Cemetery Dance and he has also
written for the stage and for television. He is the co-founder, with
Dennis Etchison and Glen Hirshberg, of The Rolling Darkness Revue, who
tour the west coast annually bringing ghost stories and live music to
any venue that’ll put up with them. 2009’s Spook City was a three-
author collection featuring him alongside his fellow Liverpudlians
Clive Barker and Ramsey Campbell, and a new collection of his short
fiction is to be published in October 2011.
FANTASYCON 2011 will be held over the weekend of 30th September to 2nd
October 2011 at the Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton; venue for the highly
successful 2010 World Horror Convention.
Peter joins existing Guests of Honour: World Fantasy Award-winning
author and critic GWYNETH JONES, also known as Ann Halam, and Swedish
horror writer JOHN AJVIDE LINDQVIST, author of the best-selling LET THE
RIGHT ONE IN, which was adapted into a movie first in his native Sweden
and more recently remade in the U.S. as LET ME IN, starring Chloe
Moretz from KICK ASS. Our first Special Guest is BRIAN ALDISS, author
of more than eighty novels, both mainstream and science fiction,
including Frankenstein Unbound,The Helliconia Trilogy and Harm to name
just a few; and innumerable short stories, including 'Super-Toys Last
All Summer Long,' which was filmed as A.I. Brian has also edited many
anthologies, acted in performances of his plays, and is also an artist.
Brian will be attending on the Saturday and Sunday of the Convention (
1st and 2nd October)
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES is SARAH PINBOROUGH, British Fantasy Award-
winning Author of The Language of Dying and A Matter of Blood.
Other professional writers, artists, editors and publishers already
registered as attending FantasyCon 2011 include: Guy Adams, Scott
Andrews, James Barclay, Anne Billson, Ramsey Campbell, Mike Carey,
Vincent Chong, Peter Crowther (PS Publishing), Joseph D’Lacey, Les
Edwards, Christopher Fowler, Simon R. Green, David J. Howe (Telos
Books), Stephen Jones, Paul Kane, Jasper Kent, M.D. Lachlan, Michael
Marshall Smith, Suzanne McLeod, Gary McMahon, Adam L.G. Nevill, Kim
Newman, Nicholas Royle, Robert Shearman, Mike Shevdon, Steve Tribe (BBC
Books), Lisa Tuttle, Ian Whates (Newcon Press), Rio Youers and many
more.
Current cost of registration stands at £50 (£45 to BFS members), costs
will increase incrementally between now and the convention (next
increase due on 1st April 2011). To book your ticket, and for more
information about the Guests or MC, please visit the website: www.
fantasycon2011.org.
FANTASYCON 2011
www.fantasycon2011.org
Atkins as its third Guest of Honour. Peter was born in Liverpool and
now lives in Los Angeles. He is the author of the novels Morningstar,
Big Thunder, and Moontown and the screenplays Hellraiser II, Hellraiser
III, Hellraiser IV, Wishmaster, and Prisoners of the Sun. His short
fiction has appeared in such best-selling anthologies as The Museum of
Horrors, Dark Delicacies II, and Hellbound Hearts and has been selected
four times for the award-winning annual Best New Horror. Magazines to
which he has contributed include Weird Tales, The Magazine of Fantasy
and Science Fiction, Postscripts and Cemetery Dance and he has also
written for the stage and for television. He is the co-founder, with
Dennis Etchison and Glen Hirshberg, of The Rolling Darkness Revue, who
tour the west coast annually bringing ghost stories and live music to
any venue that’ll put up with them. 2009’s Spook City was a three-
author collection featuring him alongside his fellow Liverpudlians
Clive Barker and Ramsey Campbell, and a new collection of his short
fiction is to be published in October 2011.
FANTASYCON 2011 will be held over the weekend of 30th September to 2nd
October 2011 at the Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton; venue for the highly
successful 2010 World Horror Convention.
Peter joins existing Guests of Honour: World Fantasy Award-winning
author and critic GWYNETH JONES, also known as Ann Halam, and Swedish
horror writer JOHN AJVIDE LINDQVIST, author of the best-selling LET THE
RIGHT ONE IN, which was adapted into a movie first in his native Sweden
and more recently remade in the U.S. as LET ME IN, starring Chloe
Moretz from KICK ASS. Our first Special Guest is BRIAN ALDISS, author
of more than eighty novels, both mainstream and science fiction,
including Frankenstein Unbound,The Helliconia Trilogy and Harm to name
just a few; and innumerable short stories, including 'Super-Toys Last
All Summer Long,' which was filmed as A.I. Brian has also edited many
anthologies, acted in performances of his plays, and is also an artist.
Brian will be attending on the Saturday and Sunday of the Convention (
1st and 2nd October)
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES is SARAH PINBOROUGH, British Fantasy Award-
winning Author of The Language of Dying and A Matter of Blood.
Other professional writers, artists, editors and publishers already
registered as attending FantasyCon 2011 include: Guy Adams, Scott
Andrews, James Barclay, Anne Billson, Ramsey Campbell, Mike Carey,
Vincent Chong, Peter Crowther (PS Publishing), Joseph D’Lacey, Les
Edwards, Christopher Fowler, Simon R. Green, David J. Howe (Telos
Books), Stephen Jones, Paul Kane, Jasper Kent, M.D. Lachlan, Michael
Marshall Smith, Suzanne McLeod, Gary McMahon, Adam L.G. Nevill, Kim
Newman, Nicholas Royle, Robert Shearman, Mike Shevdon, Steve Tribe (BBC
Books), Lisa Tuttle, Ian Whates (Newcon Press), Rio Youers and many
more.
Current cost of registration stands at £50 (£45 to BFS members), costs
will increase incrementally between now and the convention (next
increase due on 1st April 2011). To book your ticket, and for more
information about the Guests or MC, please visit the website: www.
fantasycon2011.org.
FANTASYCON 2011
www.fantasycon2011.org
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Worcs Lit Fest
Check it out Festival this June in Worcester! It doesn't say which writers etc will be visiting yet but worth bookmarking. Also volunteering opportunities available.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Poetry?
Homework for next month's meeting.
Write 3 poems with a common theme.
Poem One to be a Haiku - 3 lines 5-7-5 syllable count.
Poem Two to be a Tanka - A five line 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count.
Poem Three to be a Triolet - An eight line poem with a rhyming pattern
1.A
2.B
3.a
4.A
5.a
6.b
7.A
8.B
Lines 1,4 and 7 are repeats. Lines 2 and 8 are repeats.
Write 3 poems with a common theme.
Poem One to be a Haiku - 3 lines 5-7-5 syllable count.
Poem Two to be a Tanka - A five line 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count.
Poem Three to be a Triolet - An eight line poem with a rhyming pattern
1.A
2.B
3.a
4.A
5.a
6.b
7.A
8.B
Lines 1,4 and 7 are repeats. Lines 2 and 8 are repeats.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Want to write a Novel?
Here's your chance to learn from one of the best Sarah Duncan is holding a one day course in Birmingham on May 7th 10 till 4 £50
Sarah is a great tutor and a very successful novelist.
Sarah is a great tutor and a very successful novelist.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Writing about Family?
Saturday 5th March at wombourne youth and community centre. 10am till 4pm £20 with tutor Erica Rex. Explore the techniques for writing about your family. Assignments will be written in the morning and developed in workshops in the afternoon. Open to advanced writers and those with some experience. To book your place call 01785 75477 or go to HERE
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Event on 24th February
An evening with Mr Darcy at Dudley Central Library, meet local author Nell Dixon, quiz with prizes, performance by Dudley Little Theatre - £2 7.15pm Tickets from Central Library, St James Road Dudley.
Event Reminder
An evening with Dr Bob Bibby, celebrated walker and writer, author of 'Special Offa. Gray Paes and Bacon and Dancing with Sabrina', who will be talking about his work. Meet at Wombourne library on Wednesday 23rd February at 7.30 £1 on the door - open meeting visitors welcome!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Going Gothic
The piece of work to be shared at the March 2nd meeting is a 500 word ONLY piece of prose, written in a gothic style.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Welcome!
Welcome to the new home on the web for Wombourne writers. News this month;
Next months meeting will take place at Wombourne library on Wednesday 2nd February at 7.15.
Exercise for this month is to write up to 500 words of prose on the title 'Conspiracy', either as a short story or the opening of a novel in the style of a suspense or thriller.
Also taking place in February: An evening with Dr Bob Bibby, celebrated walker and writer, author of 'Special Offa. Gray Paes and Bacon and Dancing with Sabrina', who will be talking about his work. Meet at Wombourne library on Wednesday 23rd February at 7.30 £1 on the door - open meeting visitors welcome!Visit his website here!
Contest news:Free to enter contest win £1000
Next months meeting will take place at Wombourne library on Wednesday 2nd February at 7.15.
Exercise for this month is to write up to 500 words of prose on the title 'Conspiracy', either as a short story or the opening of a novel in the style of a suspense or thriller.
Also taking place in February: An evening with Dr Bob Bibby, celebrated walker and writer, author of 'Special Offa. Gray Paes and Bacon and Dancing with Sabrina', who will be talking about his work. Meet at Wombourne library on Wednesday 23rd February at 7.30 £1 on the door - open meeting visitors welcome!Visit his website here!
Contest news:Free to enter contest win £1000
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