Primadonna- This Weekend!

Hello Scribblers

It's Festival Time again!
Primadonna Festival had their inaugural year last year. A wonderful Suffolk based literary festival that brings together writers, editors, readers, publishers, artists, thinkers, comedians, performers, musicians and foodies!
Sadly, it can't happen live this year, but thankfully, the Primadonnas have organised a weekend online festival, so you can still experience the festival highlights in the comfort of your own home or garden.

Primadonna is the first UK festival to give prominence to work by women.
They are fully inclusive of all genders, ethnicities, economic circumstances and all voices who are not usually heard. Their aim is to tackle the current imbalance in the world of publishing.
Follow the link below to explore the festival and find out which speakers, sessions and discussions you won't want to miss.

https://www.primadonnafestival.com/virtual-primadonna

You can watch sessions live as they happen or follow the links provided to catch up with the sessions on YouTube, Twitter or Zoom. There's so much to explore- so have a look now and plan your weekend in advance.
Follow the link below to see the full programme for Virtual Primadonna 2020:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/

Have a Happy Festival Scribblers!

Writersphere- Are Competitions Worth It?

Hello Scribblers

We include links to lots of competitions in our little blog, so I thought I'd include this link to an article posing the question of whether entering competitions is worth the effort (and cost).
Writersphere is an email newsletter aiming to shed light on the writers' journey in the wonderful world of writing and publishing. They post interesting articles with tips, tricks and inspiration for aspiring writers.
Follow the link below to find out more abouot Writersphere- you will be prompted to sign up to the newsletter- which will drop into your inbox each week if you so choose.

https://writersphere.substack.com/about?utm_source=menu-dropdown

The article that prompted this post can be found in the link below.
It offers words of wisdom for those wondering if they should be entering competitions.
There is also a helpful (though not exhaustive) list of competitions that are open each year, should you decide the take the plunge and send your work out for consideration.

https://writersphere.substack.com/p/entering-writing-competitions

Good luck and Keep Scribbling- You Might be Winning!

The Galley Beggar Press Prize

Hello Scribblers

The Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize is open for entries.
This competition- now in its sixth year- demonstrates the wonderful things that can be done with the short story form.
Galley Beggar Press support talented new writers and many previous winners, short-listers and long-listers have gone on to acheive great things, including publication.
There is an entry fee for entering the competition, but there are also subsidised entries for those on a low income. Follow the link below to find out more about the competition and how to enter:
https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/short-story-prize-welcome
It's always worth reading past winners' entries to get a feel for what has been succesful in previous years. Explore the authors and their stories here: https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/short-story-prize-201617-finalists

The deadline for entry is 30th September 2020.
Word limit is up to 6,000 words.
There is a generous prize for the winner- but all long-listed and short-listed entries also receive cash prizes or vouchers.

Follow this link to find out more about Galley Beggar Press:
https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/

Good luck and Keep Scribbling!

Time to celebrate!

Our Kay has gained a First Class Honours Degree! She was also awarded a distinction for her last unit of work. It is a great achievement and the Scribblers wish to pass on their hearty congratulations to her.

She would like to acknowledge the support re her writing efforts from both us at Scribblers and at Owl which was invaluable.  Again, Congratulations Kay!

Steve B is in training to be a PhD supervisor and in his teaching is having to get to grips with digital technology. Boy that will be handy! He sends regards to his fellow scribblers and like all of us he is looking forward to our meetings again. Good luck Steve, you can do it!

Challenges.

I hope you are all still keeping well especially our members who have remained rather quiet during the lockdown period. I know times have been tough and, in some ways, remain so for the foreseeable future. Life, it is said, is on the road to recovery. Let us hope so.

For the Felixstowe Scribblers and our other local group, the Orwell Writers, our group meetings are still in the laps of the Gods. What with social distancing and Government restrictions on meetings it is unlikely we will be able to meet up again until September or even October. We can but wait and see.

Efforts have been made throughout the lockdown period to give everyone an opportunity to continue writing and even share their work in the same way that they would for a proper face-to-face meeting. Instead, prompts have been issued to enable continued participation both by posting regular stories on the weblog for display of just one week, whilst Justin suggested and began a WhatsApp group for weekly short 100 word stories (now increased to 200 and named 'Manic Monday'.) Two opportunities to continue creating your own stories in the Felixstowe Scribblers way. 

The good news from the die hard committee and a number of members has been the creation of the new website, the Scribblers Repository which already contains over 70 stories I believe. The stories are made up of all those submitted to this weblog during the lockdown period. It continues to be updated although stories should now be sent to Liz, the editor of the Repository.

It is not really necessary to remind you that the Repository is for all our paid up members for whom Liz has provided a password to enable you to read and comment on any story posted there. It is a real asset to us, especially during the continuing lockdown restrictions, and I ask members to visit it, read a story or two and be inspired to share one or two of your own. It is a great resource, but, unlike the weblog which is free, the Repository has a running cost so I ask, please, for your support. 

The current prompt for Manic Monday's story is "Ships in the Night." Deadline 27 July 2020

Repository stories: Asks if you can write a Myth or  Legend story? Deadline Tuesday 4 August 2020.

The prompts will always appear at the top of the Weblog.

Until we meet again, please stay safe and:-

Keep scribbling!!!

Reflex Fiction- Choose Your Own Fee!

Hello Scribblers

Reflex Fiction is a quarterly international flash fiction competition. They are always open for entries, and they have a 'choose your own' entry fee system. They are currently open for their Autumn Competition.

There is a generous cash prize for the winning stories between 180 and 360 words.

1st prize- £1,000

2nd prize- £500

3rd prize- £250

All long-listed stories are published (if the authors give permission), both digitally and in the yearly print anthology. Reflex Fiction publish a new story on their website every day. They also have some very helpful writing tips. Explore the website using the link below:

http://www.reflexfiction.com/flash-fiction/

Follow this link to submit an entry, and find out more about the very inclusive fee payment system.

https://www.reflexfiction.com/flash-fiction-submissions-entry-form/

Good Luck and Keep Scribbling!

Publication, or Helpful Feedback:- Bandit Fiction

Hello Scribblers

If you are looking for a home for your stories, poetry or narrative non-fiction, then Bandit Fiction could be the place for you. They are a new voice in digital publishing- looking for emerging writers to support and promote.
Follow the link below to find out more about Bandit Fiction and browse the work already published by them- they have a huge selection- quick reads, ten minute reads, longer reads and everything inbetween. They like to promote all genres, voices, styles and formats...
https://banditfiction.com/

To submit your work for consideration for publication- follow the link below.
Bandit Fiction are even kind enough to offer constructive feedback on work submitted that is not published- so there's something to gain either way.

https://banditfiction.com/submit/

Keep Scribbling!

Writers' HQ- Writing Without Fear

Hello Scribblers

Here's an offer I certainly won't be refusing- I've signed up already!
Writers' HQ are offering a free course, starting 3rd August- entitled 'Writing Without Fear'.
The course contains tips, tricks and advice on boosting your confidence, over-coming self-doubt and other terrible writers' curses like the dreaded block.
It's an online course- with email prompts and challenges. There's no fee and no catch, though Writers' HQ would like you to sign up to be a member of their lovely writing community.
A minor word of warning, though, there may be a teeny bit of swearing involved- the clue is in their logo really. If it's not for you, that's fine, but I for one am looking forward to it!

Follow the link below for more details about the course, and to explore the website to find out more about Writers' HQ.

https://writershq.co.uk/free-creative-writing-course-writing-without-fear/

Keep Scribbling!

A Fruity Micro-Prompt from Retreat West

Hello Scribblers

A quick little competition for your delectation.
Retreat West's monthly Micro Fiction competition has a fruity picture prompt to enthuse you.
They are looking for a 100 word story inspired by the picture prompt below.
Deadline for entry is 12th July- so not long to get those creative (mango) juices flowing...
Follow the link to find out more about how to enter.

https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/monthly-micro-fiction-competition/

New Voices 2020- A Novel First Page

Hello Scribblers

This competition/ opportunity is for writers who have already embarked on the first stages of writing a novel. New Voices want to help with that process, by finding a winning entry to receive a start-up mentoring package. This package is a mini-masterclass, covering everything you need to know about writing a novel, including a consultation and manuscript appraisal.
The competition is aimed at those who have written at least the first fifty pages of a novel. The deadline for entry is 14th Septemebr 2020. The idea is that you use the time until the deadline to get those fifty pages in tip-top condition.
To enter New Voices 2020, send in a one-page synopsis of your novel, and the first page only.
Follow the link below to find out more about entry requirements and how to enter.

http://adventuresinfiction.co.uk/new-voices-2020/

This is a very interesting competition for those with a winning idea, who may just need a helping hand to get it in better shape for sending out into the world, on completion.
The picture of published novels used to promote the competition even has our very own Scribbler Ruth Dugdall's book 'The Sacrificial Man' nestled in- inspiration indeed!

Good luck and keep scribbling!

Writing Prompts and challenges.

MANIC MONDAY: Up to 200 words on "The show must go on," to be posted in our WhatsApp group pages by Monday next 13 July.

REPOSITORY: “The Playlist," To write a story with some form of musical reference, even if

it is just a mention of a song in the background. Which piece of music inspires you or a

character you can create, desert island discs in words. There is no word limit to worry about 

but your stories should be sent to Liz by Tuesday 21st July.

These are two interesting themes that have been set. Are you creative Scribblers up to these challenges? 

Transition,

The time has arrived when we need to make some changes to our long running weblog. Currently posted stories are the very last ones to appear under the two banners, 'This Week's Stories' and 'More Weekly Stories.' From now onwards new stories from all our members will be posted in the secure Repository ( https://scribblersrepository.co.uk/ ) This weblog will, of course be updated with items of interest and current Scribblers information.

The changes all come about from the Coronavirus explosion that has ripped our nation's daily lives to threads. Our meeting place in The Room at the Top rightly became unavailable and with government restrictions imposed our meetings have suffered. We tried hard to keep all our members interested in writing by setting up the two pages on the weblog where themed stories could be posted. At first it was a terrific success but over the past weeks stories from our writers have slowed down.

Every story that was posted during lockdown is now included in the Repository, well over fifty at the last count, and all available for you to read and enjoy. What is more, there is a comment field after each story to allow feedback. A terrific idea!

To have your stories included in the Repository then please send them to the editor, erwalesisat@gmail.com who will post them as soon as possible. The stories do not have to be written to the homework theme but any subject of your choosing.

For your information the story prompt for the current homework is posted on the Repository. Simply log in, then you will find it at the bottom of the Information page. Another good thing is that there are no word limits and consequently you can make them as long or short as you wish. Your homework can be submitted to Liz at anytime within the two week period before a fresh subject is posted. The information is well worth reading too!

After all the hard work Liz has put in to this project of ours, I hope you will all give her your support and use the website regularly. I know I will!

As far as our WhatsApp group is concerned, the word limit there has doubled in recent weeks from 100 words up to 200. Georgina's 'Manic Monday' produces some intriguing themes, this time 'The Show Must Go On.' It would be brilliant to see more people post their stories there too.

Keep Scribbling everyone !!!.

Flash 500- Three ways to enter

Flash 500 are currently running three different competitions- Flash Fiction, Short Story and Novel Opening- something for everyone I hope?

The Flash Fiction Competition is for a 500 word maximum story.

The contest runs on a quarterly basis, the current deadline is 30th September 2020.

The Short Story Competition is an annual contest with the current deadline being February 2021.

Short Stories should be between 1,000 and 3,000 words.

The Novel Opening Contest is for an unpublished opening chapter of a novel- up to 3,000 words.

Follow the link below to find out more about these three opportunities to send your work into the world, the submission fees and the prizes that could be won.

https://flash500.com/

Good luck and keep scribbling!

Crafting Short Stories- The Opening Sentence

Hello Scribblers

Some writing advice here from TSS Publishing, in an article by Peter Jordan.
TSS champion the short story- including Flash Fiction and Micro Fiction. They publish stories on their website, as well as insightful news, intervies and articles on the craft of writing.
This article by Peter Jordan focuses on the importance of the opening line- the need for clarity and starting as near to the action as possible.
Follow the link below to read the article:

https://theshortstory.co.uk/crafting-short-stories-a-good-opening

Follow this link to find out more about TSS Publishing, including their resources.

https://theshortstory.co.uk/about/

Follow this link to find out more about Peter Jordan, who has a recently published collection of short stories and is a multiple prize winner for his short form fiction.

https://twitter.com/PM_Jordan