First – Season’s Greetings! Whether or not you celebrate any particular holiday, it’s always good to welcome the lengthening days. Soon it will be time to set goals and make some resolutions for 2023. One of mine in 2022 was to turn both the WritersMic (our open mic evening) and the Writers Rendezvous back into hybrid events. So, I’m delighted to report that starting in February, the WritersMic will be joining the Writers Rendezvous as a hybrid event – the in-person readings will take place at the Westport Library, and it will be on Zoom too, for those people who join us from farther away! I’ll hope to see you there. Check the events page for details.
This month, I have a number of contests you can submit to, ranging from flash fiction/creative nonfiction to the first chapter of your novel. The full lists have been compiled by these two writers, Erica Verrillo (Publishing and other forms of insanity) and Christopher Fielden but here is a selection. Many of these contests are British, so you could be an international winner.
Erica Verrillo also keeps an updated list of Writing Conferences. And if you’re looking for an agent she offers regular suggestions for new young agents looking to build their lists.
Inkitt are running a new novel contest called The Season Of Love. It’s for romance novels and is open until January 2. Free to enter. 10,000 words minimum, no max. Top prize is $200 and a social media spotlight across all of the Inkitt platforms.
Jane Friedman is offering a webinar on January 5 in partnership with Writer’s Digest: How to Get Published: Land a Book Deal in 2023. This intensive and information-filled 120-minute live webinar helps you think like an industry insider who makes decisions every day on what work merits print publication. You’ll get practical advice and tools to help you develop strong pitch letters and proposal materials for both fiction and nonfiction—plus back-door methods for networking with agents and editors. Register now ($99) »
Incidentally – Jane has a series of videos on YouTube that cover various subjects related to writing, from Amazon Ads for traditionally published authors, to the business of writing, to selling, and marketing your second book. Check her out here.
Otterpool Park Story Writing Competition is open for entries until January 8. It’s a competition for young writers aged between 8 and 14. 500 words max. Free to enter. £100 top prize. The winner’s story will be published on the Otterpool Park website and performed by professional storytelling artist Emily Hanna-Grazebrook during National Storytelling Week in February 2023.
The Westport Writers Workshop is offering a new event for writers, called The Writing Room . Come join your fellow writers from 10:00-11:00 every third Friday (January 20) at their offices in Westport. They provide the coffee, their students will provide the copy. Write, drink coffee and mingle! Great way to end the week. An instructor will be on-site to provide optional prompts, supervise, answer questions, and motivate you. No pre-registration required. Just show up ready to write! Bring a friend! open to the public. Suggested donation: $25.
ChipLitFest Short Story Competition is open for entries of stories up to 5,000 words until February 5. £8 entry fee. £1,000 top prize. The top three stories are published on ChipLitFest’s website.
Indie Novella’s The Watson, Little x Indie Novella Prize is open for entries until February 14. Submit the opening 5,000 words of your novella. Free entry. Top prize is mentorship from literary agency Watson, Little. If, after this process, the finished novel is suitable, Watson, Little Literary Agents will have first option to represent the winner and to offer it to a recommended publisher.
Booksie have recently launched their Pet Flash Fiction Contest, asking for true stories about pets. The competition is open until 28th February 28. 300 words max. $4.99 entry fee. $250 top prize.
More to come, probably on Boxing Day – the day after Christmas. In the meantime, Happy Holidays!
