Short story comps from Circalit

The lovely Circalit people have sent me details of their latest comps. Here are the details:

LAUNCH YOUR SCI-FI STORY INTO THE COSMOS!
Cosmos, founded in 2004, is a literary science magazine that reaches 40,000 
readers every month around the globe, and covers everything from science 
fact to science fiction. Cosmos are now on the lookout for innovative 
science fiction short stories that that make you think about the future in 
a different way. The winning short story will be printed in the next issue 
of Cosmos Magazine, and the two runners-up will see their work published on 
Cosmos Online. For more information and to submit your work, please visit 
http://www.circalit.com/screenplay/competitions/view/client/cosmos.

ECLECTICA FLASH FICTION COMPETITION!
Eclectica, founded in 1996, is one of the longest running online literary 
publications, publishing a wide range of fiction from all different genres. 
Now Eclectica have teamed up with Circalit to host a flash fiction 
competition. Simply write a story on any theme in under 800 words and get 
your flash fiction published in the October/November issue of this notable 
ezine. For more information and to submit your work, please visit 
http://www.circalit.com/screenplay/competitions/view/client/eclectica.

And, whilst we’re on the subject of short stories, I’m teaching a one-day short story workshop at The Write Place at the Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford Kent on Saturday 30th June. See here for details. (PS I don’t think Mick Jagger is going to be there. He’s probably busy this Saturday.)

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The new Choc Lit Short Story Competition!

Choc Lit is running another short story competition. Here’s the information:

Choc Lit Short Story Competition

Imagine a hero! Entry is now open   We’re looking for short stories of up to 1,500 words in which the central theme is either: – a hero or heroes – they don’t have to be irresistible or romantic. or – chocolate in summer – eating it, drinking it, or anything else.   PRIZES 1st prize £200, publication here and a tin of Cadbury Heroes. A Runner Up will receive £50 and a tin of Cadbury Heroes. RULES Your entry must be a maximum of 1,500 words. All stories should be clearly typed or printed and double spaced. No stories will be returned, so make sure you keep copies of your entries. All work must be your own and not previously published. We are happy to accept authors living outside of the UK but monetary prizes will be cheques in sterling and there may be restrictions in sending chocolates to certain countries. Entry fee is £3 per story. All entries must be received by 31st August, 2012. The Winner will be announced in National Short Story Week 12th – 18th November, 2012.  The judges decision is final. JUDGES Your judges are Choc Lit authors Margaret James, Sue Moorcroft and Linda Mitchelmor. They are all experienced short story writers and judges. Margaret also writes the monthly Fiction Focus for Writing Magazine and Sue is head fiction judge for short story competitions at Writers Forum. Linda has successfully published short stories internationally.

HOW TO ENTER Please post your stories to:     Choc Lit Short Story Competition Penrose House     Crawley Drive     Camberley     Surrey     GU15 2AB     Please enclose a cheque for £3 per story – i.e. to enter 3 stories would cost £9. Cheques are payable to ‘Choc Lit Limited.’ Or  email info@choc-lit.co.uk   with the subject heading ‘Short Story Competition’ and pay our entry fee by PayPal at orders@choc-lit.co.uk

Previous Winner Chocolate Story Competition – February 2012:  Winner: Lucy Mouland for her story – Foreign Field. You can read Lucy’s story here … Runner-up: Laura E James for her short story – Bitter Sweet.

We got some GREAT entries in the last competition, so I’m looking forward to the judging. (Especially the hot heroes …)

Italy, here I come!

Something fantastic happened at the weekend – I was invited to teach a week’s creative writing in Umbria, Italy, in summer 2013. I said, ‘Yes, please!’ (several times, just to make certain that Sara at Arte Umbria realised that I meant it).

These photos give you some idea of how much gorgeousness there is to be found at Poggiolame. And sunshine. If you remember what that is.

I’ll be teaching a course on writing romantic fiction in summer next year – exact dates will follow soon – and students can expect help with choosing the right hero for the heroine, putting them together, keeping them apart, sizzle not fizzle, where your book might fit in the romantic fiction genre, and all the writing technique stuff, too.

Arte Umbria is already a successful venue for art and photography courses, and I couldn’t be more pleased that creative writing’s being added to the list. Especially if they’re employing me to lead a course. I love working with other writers, anyway, but to do so under sunny skies, wandering throiugh a couple of hundred acres of beautiful rural Italy or sitting around the pool is quite a bonus. Especially as when I first heard the courses were beginning I thought that they’d be in Cumbria and someone had left the C off!