Write or Die- Resources from a Literary Community

Hello Scribblers

I'm sharing a resource for writers called the 'Write or Die Tribe'.
It was set up as a space for all seeking literary and creative connections.
Most writing is done alone, but it is important to have some connections with like-minded creatives, to broaden our own experience, improve writing practices and help maintain a semblance of sanity. With writing groups across the globe unable to meet in person, including our own lovely group, resources like the 'Write or Die Tribe' can be invaluable.
They also have links to those looking for work, looking for inspiration - prompts and courses-  and looking for places to submit work.
Follow the link below to find out about the Write or Die Tribe.
https://www.writeordietribe.com/

Follow the link below for an excellent article about flash fiction, micro fiction and what kinds of skills are needed to make a really impactful tiny story.
https://www.writeordietribe.com/writers-craft/what-is-micro-and-flash-fiction

Follow this link below for helpful ideas of where to submit your work for publication or consideration in various competitions:
https://www.writeordietribe.com/submission-list

Keep Scribbling!

Retreat West Micro Competition

Hello Scribblers

Here is a challenge for those familiar with miniature stories.
Retreat West have a new Micro Competition for stories up to 150 words.
The prompt is picture based- see the atmospheric picture below to pique your inspiration.
Follow the link to find out more about the competition and the prizes available.
First prize includes a place on Retreat West's 'Micro Fiction Month' online course running in November- which is well worth winning!
The deadline for your tiny stories is 26th July.
https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/micro-fiction-course-competition/

Good luck and keep scribbling!

Felixstowe Book Festival 2020

Hello Scribblers

I hope you have had a chance to look at the Felixstowe Book Festival, which has been cleverly adapted to be enjoyed online.
The virtual book festival can be explored using the link below:
https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk/
The best way to access it is to follow the link to their Facebook page, but if you don't have access to Facebook, then you can watch the interviews and workshops live as they happen, or go back and watch them at your own convenience.
The full programme of events is available through the link below:
https://felixstowebookfestival.co.uk/events

We are very sad not to be able to take part in the real life festival, as planned, but joining in by supporting the festival online is the next best thing.
Our very own Scribbler Ruth Dugdall was live at 11am this morning, talking with Harriet Tyce about her work, including Harriet's new crime novel Blood Orange.
Why not browse the festival programme, watch some interviews, 'day in the life' pieces and Q & A sessions.
Let's hope that next year we can meet in person, but for now stay safe and keep scribbling!
I'll leave you with the festival line-up for Sunday- enjoy!

The Two Minute Duologue Challenge for Radio

Hello Scribblers

Ink Festival and BBC Radio Suffolk have teamed up to give us all a new challenge in these challenging times.
INK is an East Anglian based Theatre Company and registered charity. They champion the short play, as a potent art form and a great way to attract new talent and audiences to theatre.

Find out more about INK generally, by following the link below.
https://inkfestival.org/
The INK Festival is their headline event- held each year in April, at The Cut in Halesworth. They showcase performance poetry and brand new short plays. Submissions are currently open for short plays and they are particularly supportive of writers from East Anglia. Find out more about these opportunities by following this link:
https://inkfestival.org/submit-your-work-for-2021/

Following their last collaboration with BBC Radio Suffolk, where they asked for submissions of monologues, that were recorded by an actor and broadcast on the radio.- The next challenge is now to write and submit a Two-Minute Duologue.
It can be on any subject and in any style- but it must be written for two actors.
Closing date for submission is Friday 10th July.
To find out more about this fun and exciting challenge- follow this link!:
https://inkfestival.org/ink-festival/gallery/

Good luck Scribblers- we would love to hear your Duologue broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk!
Keep Scribbling!

Help Save Shakespeare's Globe- with your poetry!

Hello Scribblers

Sonnets for Shakespeare is an anthology of poems, writing and art.
It is raising funds to help support two organisations that do vital work to preserve and promote the work of Shakespeare.
The Globe Theatre and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust have both been affected by restrictions due to the covid pandemic. Sonnets for Shakespeare are raising funds to help both places carry on their fabulus work.
You can help support them by exploring the anthology, reading the work and making a donation. You can also submit poetry, prose or artwork to them, for consideration for publication on the website and in the anthology.
The submitted piece should be about or inspired by William Shakespeare, or any aspect of his life, work, themes, characters, locations, or anything else that springs to mind relating to the Bard.
Explore the website and read the anthology by following the link below:
https://www.sonnetsforshakespeare.co.uk/the-anthology

Submit your own work for consideration by following this link:
https://www.sonnetsforshakespeare.co.uk/the-anthology/send-us-your-work

These wonderful places give us links to our literary history, why not give them a helping hand?

Keep Scribbling!

The Edge Hill Short Story Prize

Hello Scribblers

Edge Hill University have an annual prize for a published short story collection- a little out of some of our leagues at present, but who knows what the future holds!
The competition is currently closed, but it caught my attention, as one of the senior creative writing lecturers at the University has written an article about what he looks for when judging the quality of a short story.
Some of us Scribblers may have aspirations for publication of a story or two, here and there, others may look to a future with a published book of short stories being entered for this prize. I'm hoping there are a good many of us who would be interested in what qualities judges and lecturers are looking for in a good short story- so follow the link below if that is of interest to you!

https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/shortstory/what-i-look-for-in-a-short-story/

Keep Scribbling!

Aerogramme Writers' Studio Advice

Hello Scribblers

Here is a link to an online resource publishing news, advice and helpful articles for emerging and established writers.
Aerogramme Writers' Studio publish writing tips and links to writing competitions.
There are some great articles- so browse the website if you are interested in finding out more.
Follow the link below to read the article that caught my attention- about the many ways Flash Fiction can help to improve your writing.

https://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2019/12/10/why-you-should-flash-your-fiction/

For many reasons- Keep Scribbling!

New Writing Assignments.

Six new stories have been posted above which actually caused a few headaches. The blog system has been updated and has thrown in some unexpected quirks, like when posting the stories, the actual pages they were recorded and viewed on disappeared!

Having spent valuable time trying to sort it out, you will now find the two story pages in their usual position but in the wrong order.

The new subject this time is:

"SECRET MEETING"

Between 500 and 750 words please by Wednesday 1st July please.

Meanwhile the WhatsApp prompt is:

"WELL TAKE IT ANY WAY YOU LIKE."

The word limit for this is now between 100 and 200 words and should be posted by Monday 22 June when a new topic will be posted.

Work exceeding 200 words should be directed to the weblog.

Thank you and...

Stay safe!

The Royal Society of Literature- VS Pritchett Short Story Prize

Hello Scribblers

Here is a competition you may be interested in.

The prize is for the best short story submitted in the Royal Society of Literature's 21st annual competition.

The prize commemorates the work of  British writer VS Pritchett who recognised the art of short story writing as 'exquisitely difficult!' He was known for his 'ironic style' and 'lively portaits of middle-class life'. 

The first prize story writer will win £1,000 and the story will be published in the RSL review and  in 'Prospect online'.

Word count should be between 2,000 and 4,000 words and the deadline is midnight on Friday 3rd July.

See the website for further details of submission requirements by following the link below.

https://theroyalsocietyofliterature.submittable.com/submit

There is a fee for submitting, though there are 50 places free of charge for writers on a low income.

Follow this link to find out more about the Royal Society of Literature and to have a look at previous year's entries and winning stories.

https://rsliterature.org/award/v-s-pritchett-short-story-prize/

Good luck Scribblers and Keep Scribbling!

Retreat West- Help choose this month's Micro Fiction Winner!

Retreat West have a monthly Micro Fiction competition. They are much stricter than our friendly WhatsApp group, as they want stories that are EXACTLY 100 words (give or take one or two!).

June's stories are already in and the short list is up on their website.

You can be involved by voting for your favourite story.

This is also a great way to gain insight into what makes a good 100 word story. It's such a small space to get a story across, but in all these short-listed stories, you get a real sense of mood and a bigger story happening outside of the snapshot being shown.

So, get involved, get writing and get inspired to write your very own mini-masterpieces!

Follow the link below to read the shortlist and to choose your favourite.

https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/micro-fiction-competition-june-2020-shortlist/

Follow the link below to find out more about Retreat West: Who they are, what they do and how they could help you in your writing journey.

https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/

Keep Scribbling!

Dodging the Rain- poetry submissions

Hello Scribblers

Is poetry one of your talents? If you dabble in this artform, as well as the micro-fiction, flash fiction and short stories that Scribblers are best known for, then have a look at Dodging the Rain, who are currently looking for submissions. It's not a competition, just a chance to have your work published by people who love poetry.

Dodging the Rain is an online poetry journal, whose spiritual home is Galway in Ireland (an extraordinarily beautiful place).

Find out more about the journal by following the link below. You can also look at their archive of past month's publications if you are in the mood to read some poetry by their contributors.

https://dodgingtherain.wordpress.com/about/

Who knows, you could be among those listed if you have poems to submit. They prefer submissions with multiple poems, but no more than ten please! They can have been published previously elsewhere, as long the rights have reverted back to you.

To find out more about the requirements for submissions- follow the link below:

https://dodgingtherain.wordpress.com/submissions/

Flash Fiction Festival- Free Entry

Hello Scribblers

Flash Fiction Festival - like so many others throughout the world - have had to cancel this year's event. But, they are trying to cheer themselves - and all flash-enthusiasts - up, by offering a free micro contest challenge.

This could be a good opportunity for those who have been practicing their 100 word Micro Monday stories on the WhatsApp group! Flash Fiction Festival are much more generous- they are allowing us 150 words!

Entry is free and open until midnight on the 18th June.

The prompt is the image you see below- the cacti garden in Arizona.

Follow the link below for more details of how to enter and to find out what you could win!

https://www.flashfictionfestival.com/festival-micro-contest-open-now/

Good Luck and Keep Scribbling!

Writing Tips from The Book Stewards

Hello Scribblers

I'm sharing a link to The Book Stewards, an online blog that shares witty and insightful features about the art of writing, from the first idea for a story, to the bewildering world of becoming published.
Recent blogs cover topics such as being honest about your writing goals, how to sneak past writer's block, and addressing Fear.
They also offer tailored advice to those seeking more specific answers.
Follow the link below to find out more about The Book Stewards

https://thebookstewards.com/

An example of a helpful recent article published is a Q&A with short story writer Amanda Huggins.
Follow the link below for top tips and advice on the importance of submitting your work!

https://thebookstewards.com/qa-with-short-story-writer-amanda-huggins/

500 Words- childrens' writing competition

Hello Scribblers

I hope some of you are finding the inspiration, motivation and time to write. It's good practice to try and write something each day, if you can. Don't let those writing muscles lose their definition!

There were some fabulous stories written by children in this year's BBC Radio 2, 500 words competition.

If you are looking for something to read, and want to find out what the amazing imaginations of the youngsters are producing, why not take a look at the winning entries this year?

The top fifty stories are available to read on the BBC 2 website. Even better, the stories are available to listen to, so you can just close your eyes and get lost in the tale.

Follow the link below to browse the stories...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00rfvk1

There is also a link to some of the judges' choices for the best opening lines in literature.

Enjoy the stories, and I hope they are inspiring for your own scribbling.

I certainly hope the talent of the little scribblers doesn't make you want to put your own pen down!

Keep Scribbling!

It could only be from Jim!!!

Hi Dave,

I started to type Felixstowe Scr in Google when it suggested I might want Felixstowe Scrubbers!

I had to find out more(!) and apparently a group got together to make Scrubs for the NHS in April when there was a serious shortage. 

It is amazing what you find on Google!

Jim

Story time!

Six new stories have been posted on our weblog and will remain there for seven days. The current homework theme for our 500-750 word stories is:

"Don't Look Back."

This will remain until the deadline, next Wednesday, 17 June, when a new prompt and fresh stories will be posted.

Talking stories, Georgina has been busy selecting weekly prompts for the 100 word WhatsApp stories which is updated every Monday or, as she calls it, Micro Monday. The current theme is:

"Shattered." 

Looking forward to seeing some stories for both the weblog and WhatsApp... would be nice to see something from the members who have yet to share their words with us.

Keep smiling!!!

Keep scribbling!!!

Stay safe.

Dave.

To the future...

Hi Scribblers.

The Suffolk Library June newsletter provides us with a glimmer of hope for meetings in the future. July will see the re-opening of the libraries on a limited basis though, for the time being, we will not be able to meet there. So, at present it is very much status quo but we must have some optimism.

I am pleased t be able to tell you that our Justin has received an offer from Anglia Ruskin University to join the MA Creative Writing Class. Isn't that brilliant news? Good luck Justin, I'm sure you will succeed.

Have you kept up to date reading the stories on the weblog? Hopefully you have and perhaps, if you haven't already done so, you will consider submitting a story or two for publication on there.

Our WhatsApp group have had some rather good 100 word stories. Looking forward to the new challenge that should appear tomorrow!

For the time being, keep smiling, keep scribbling and...

Stay safe.

Dave. 

Happy Flash Fiction Day!

Hello Scribblers

We mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, when NFFD were looking for submissions for their Flash Fiction Journal.
Today is the day when the entries are published, so to all Scribblers, near and far, we wish  you a Happy Flash Fiction Day!
It doesn't end there- today is also all about Flash Flood, where a prompt is published by NFFD every hour, and new stories are posted every ten minutes.
This is a great opportunity to join in, see what stories flow from the prompts and take a chance by sending them in.
It's also just a great way to spend the day: sit back and watch new stories flood in. Spend the day reading and absorbing some fabulous flash fiction. There's no better way of improving your writing than reading the work of other talented writers.

http://flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/

Happy Reading and Happy Scribbling!

Retreat West- Quarterly themed competition open

Hello Scribblers

Retreat West have a musical themed challenge for you, this quarter.
The guest judge is Freya Morris, who has written many prize-winning short stories, some published in her collection "This is (not about) David Bowie". Find out more about her, read some of her work and listen to interviews, at her website: freyajmorris.com
Freya's theme for the current Retreat West competition is 'MUSIC'.
The maximum word count is 500, and the closing date is 28th June.
Why not find some inspiration by listening carefully to the lyrics of your favourite songs, or tuning into a radio station you wouldn't normally choose, to try and find an unusual mood or topic?
How you interpret the prompt is completely up to you.
The only way to be in with a chance of winning is to enter!
Follow the link below for more details.
Good luck Scribblers and Keep Scribbling!
https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/competitions/quarterly-themed-flash/

Anton Chekhov Prize for Very Short Fiction

Hello Scribblers,

An intriguing competition here for your consideration.
The Anton Chekhov Prize for Very Short Fiction is open for stories of up to 800 words. The deadline is July 15th.
The competition is run by the New Flash Fiction Review, run by Meg Pokrass. The online magazine, devoted to flash fiction, holds this prize each year. The prize is in honour of the Russian playwright and short story master. 
William Boyd, in his book about the history of the short story wrote about Chekhov: "By abandoning the manipulated beginning-middle-and-end plot, by refusing to judge his characters, by not striving for a climax or seeking neat narrative resolution, Chekhov made his stories appear agonisingly, almost unbearably lifelike."
The challenge is on, Scribblers! Can you submit a story that prompts such praise?
Follow the link below for submission guidelines and details of the prize and publication opportunity.

Good luck and Keep Scribbling!

http://newflashfiction.com/the-anton-chekhov-prize-for-very-short-fiction/

Stories updated...

Good morning everyone!

A fresh batch of six stories has now been posted. Hopefully you will enjoy reading them as much as I did. A late flurry of stories means that not everyone's words have been posted this time but they will be displayed next week!

Our new theme for a 500-750 word story is:

"Don't Look Back."

Stories to reach scribblers.1@btinternet.com by Wednesday 17th June please.

 A reminder that our WhatsApp 100 word prompt between now and next Monday, 8th June, is "Close your Eyes." 

Let's keep creating those magical words of yours!

Until next time,

Stay safe,

Keep Smiling and

Keep Scribbling!

Dave.