By Susan on September 4, 2010
I got tipped off to this place called Write-Invite.com where a live half-hour writing competition is held every Saturday evening at 5.30pm. They give you three prompts, you pick one and away you go. It cost £3stg to enter and if you win you get £40stg. When I saw it on my twitter feed it was just 5.30 on the nose so I logged in and gave it a go! I will let you know how I get on next Wednesday when the shortlist comes through. Either way, it’s a good means of keeping writing fit if you’re not working on a project.
Also Jovoto.com and the Frankfurt Book Fair have come up with a very interesting multimedia competition called StorySPARKS. The idea (I believe) is that one can either submit a story – word length not specified but they have requested maximum 5 pages – or add multimedia contributions to a StorySPARK already submitted and up on the site. I’m curious to know if it’s possible to submit a work that is both story and extra media all in one go or if the collaborative aspect is necessary – I will find that out for you and update.
The competition is based in Germany and entries are permitted in English and German. There are 25 days left to submission date and the first prize is €5,000. There are more prizes going down the scale so potential to win there too.
Posted in links
By Susan on August 30, 2010
I have that attack of the snuffles that is going around the place (I am rarely ill and when I am it is rarely anything special) so I have downed a lemsip and will shortly be off to bed after having watched as much property pr0n as a girl can handle 
But just before I do, a quick update on the Mermaid Arts Centre workshops: I’m happy to say that there are already a good few places booked. The workshop starts on 23rd September and continues for two hours for four Thursday evenings. And it’s a quick hop on the DART. I also have an up-and-coming workshop in Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge this winter; more about that anon.
Tomorrow is the deadline for the Aesthetica Creative Writing competition which has a prize of €500. If you have any good stories lying about and don’t mind paying £10 sterling to enter, it might be a good option for you.
I’d also like to recommend a Twitter hashtag #storysunday started up by Tania Hershman – I have read some great stories that really show you how it’s done. I believe in leading by example, even if I find myself thinking “Damn, I wish I could do that!” rather more often than necessary.
And now, the couple have agreed not to buy a new house – and I am off to bed. Snuffle.
Posted in links
By Susan on August 26, 2010
I have just learned that my story “Identity” is one of the winning stories to be published in the Creative Identity anthology up and coming this autumn. This anthology was based on an open competition run by Stephanella Walsh at The Creative Identity site earlier this year. It is actually a savage little story with a lot of “ugh gross” and has more dialogue than most other stories I have written. I am glad Stephanella has taken a chance on it nonetheless and am guessing that submitting online meant I didn’t spill too much coffee on the MS
I will add details of the anthology when they are available. Short story writer Nik Perring will provide the foreword.
That comes to three acceptances in about the same number of months. I hope I can keep that rate up as I take on more workshops in the autumn and winter and work on longer projects!
Posted in personal
By Susan on August 21, 2010
My Nature story, for those who have not yet seen the link, is up here.
Today on my twitter feed, reporter Mark Little linked to this gem of a little film “How To Be Alone”. Words and music by singer Tanya Davis and film by Andrea Dorfman. This resonated with me – a measure of solitude is life-affirming. Enjoy – it’s lovely!
Posted in links
By Susan on August 20, 2010
.jpg "Music For Another World")
I just received my complimentary copy of the “Music For Another World” anthology in the post the other day, as one of the contributing authors. It is beautifully produced. Mark Harding, the founder of the small press Mutation Press, has done a wonderful job and it proves what can be done outside the large publishing houses. He also sent me some postcards with the picture – a very nifty marketing add-on!
The theme is, as mentioned, music in science fiction and fantasy. I’m enjoying some of the other stories in it, particularly Vaughan Stanger’s and Jill Zeller’s, though I have some more to read through. The stories were all accepted on open submission and there were a good few hundred sent in, of which he has picked 19. My own story, “The Accompanist” can be summed up as follows: piano, a female accompanist, fantasy, tenors, baritones and more than a hint of Schumann…
I would recommend this anthology even if I weren’t in it Should anyone wish to order a copy, the link is here. It’s on Amazon as well, but pricier there.
Posted in 1
By Susan on August 15, 2010
Hello dear readers – hope you are enjoying the fading embers of a lovely weekend! I have some news of publications coming out and thought I might share.
Next week, my story “Stay Special” should feature in Nature magazine, in their science fiction Futures section. To those who are coming here from Nature – I have the link mentioned in the footnote – warmest welcomes and feel free to have a look around the site. Feel free to leave a comment.
Mutation Press are now issuing their anthology “Music For Another World” which is an anthology of science fiction or fantasy stories with a musical theme. My story, “The Accompanist”, features in this volume which also carries work from well-known sci-fi writers such as Aliette de Bodard. It is possible to order the book at a discount from the website if interested. For those who know someone musically inclined, it might be a nice present! If people would like a first paragraph extract of my story let me know and I will put it up!
To all those who voted for my shortlisted story during the public vote for the Manchester Literature Festival short story competition – thank you! It did not win this time around, but I have it on submission elsewhere so am not too upset. It will have its day. I have another forthcoming publication likely – details TBA – which offsets any disappointment.
Finally, I am pleased to say that places have been booked for the workshop with the Mermaid Arts Centre starting the week of the 23rd Sept. There are still places available. Please feel free to click the “Services” tab to find out more about my workshops, or use the “Feedback/Contact” form if you wish to ask me personally or find out more.
Right. That’s it, I think. As you were!
Posted in 1
By Susan on August 11, 2010
Gosh, I am tired. I have not moved from the couch for the last hour except to bring back a cup of tea and half-listen to Gok Wan telling people how good they look naked. After a surge of energy the wave inevitably crashes back on the beach. See, even my metaphors are as tired as I am!
But anyway. A few days ago I got chatting via e-mail to a lady called Athena Andreadis, whose blog I was alerted to after a link discussing her treatment at the hands of an editor. Basically Athena, who has written more reviews for more publications than you’ve had hot dinners (yes, the tiredness applies to similes also) got short shrift from this allegedly “progressive” figure in SF writing who told her “Thank you for your chutzpah but you’re wasting my time” – as if she were a beginner! Athena was understandably offended and took the editor off her submit list.
It got me thinking, “What should writers expect from rejection notes?” Continue reading “Rejection Should Be Courteous”
Posted in 1
By Susan on August 9, 2010
Just reading this book today. Got it on recommendation, plus was intrigued after the author’s comments on an earlier entry. I have to say it’s a real find. Marjorie Quarton delivers a brief but illuminating guide about starting to write in a real-time environment and all the fundamentals you need to deliver good prose. Marjorie, by her own admission, was a late starter but continues to write today. Very entertaining and unpretentious – I am delighted to recommend it to anyone looking for a good guide starting out.
I particularly like the “divine coincidence” on page 139 and the comment “when one says ‘the girl finds her breath and pants’, this implies that there is missing underwear involved.”
Available from www.lilliputpress.ie which is mysteriously refusing to load at present. Also in bookshops in the Republic of Ireland.
Posted in 1
By Susan on August 8, 2010
A little bit of Bach:
Posted in music
By Susan on August 8, 2010
Main page here. I’m glad. I had writing withdrawal symptoms.
David Rice is the judge, there is a reasonable entry fee (payable by cheque). Important note: the word limit appears to be 600. That is very tonsured flash fiction right there. But the first prize is €500 – not bad for 600 words!
Posted in 1
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