After a very quiet December (no Writing News post... shhh!) and a fairly quiet 2017, I started 2018 with a spurt of writing energy!
I have mentioned Visual Verse (@visual_verse ) previously. I always feel proud to have poetry and short stories featured on their website. Have a look. It is so elegant and well-presented, and you are always among a host of fabulous writers. Visit the archive and you might be able to spot a few famous names there. January's photo prompt was another interesting one - a cloud of bright blue smoke engulfing someone; all you can see is a fist punching through. In the allotted hour, I came up with a poem entitled 'Swallowed'. You can also read it on my Poetry page. (Just be patient as it takes a few seconds to load!)
This is not the image from the VV website, but it's similar. The image prompt was of blue smoke.
This year I am determined to make more effort to get my latest children's book in front of professional eyes. I heard on the grapevine that the publisher Stripes (part of Little Tiger Press) is currently on the lookout for some new material. I subbed - and will now wait patiently for news.
I have twice been published in The Caterpillar, a fairly new, but already prestigious publication for children. The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is up for grabs until 31st March. There is also a short story prize. I subbed a new humorous children's poem of mine.
Another fabulous literary publication is Popshot. Again, I have been published by them. For each edition, there is a theme. I am still waiting to hear back about the 'Romance' edition I subbed in November, but this month the theme is 'Truth'. Writers are invited to sub up to four pieces which can include poetry, flash and short stories. I subbed one of each.
I subscribe to Writing Magazine and take part in the online forum. As part of this, I get 'Writers Online' - a great way of getting news about forthcoming competitions and submission opportunities. I happened to come across a request from Kickback Media. They are seeking a new children's writer and are holding a competition for this. The brief is to write up to 2000 words where a child protagonist moves from the real world to an imagined one. They must meet some sort of magical creature and there should be two instances of dialogue. It is not a complete story they are looking for; it is more that they want to see a passage had they randomly opened a book. The closing date is 23rd February. I had something up my sleeve - an idea for a new book which had been brewing for a few years served as a basis for my submission.
As a writer, do you make the most of Facebook? You can join various writers' groups - another way of discovering what is going on in the world of writing. A request was made in one of the groups I am in - 'Children's Authors' for authors interested in writing text for Key Stage 2 SATs papers. There are many features to be included in a written piece to test the children's ability to use inference, for example. The publishers wanted examples sent to them so I sent a short story of mine.
And, finally, I subbed a children's book to the agent Sallyanne Sweeney at MMB Creative. She is on the lookout for 'laugh-out loud, hilarious MG fiction', so if you have something to fit the bill, it might be worth contacting her.