OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS

First, a marvellous-sounding writing holiday, in the beautiful Loire valley, France. The Circle of Misse has organised courses on writing and gastronomy, led by experienced and gifted tutors, and their website HERE describes the writing courses thus:

The Ultimate Writing Holiday. Past participants say we should call our creative writing courses bespoke because they felt like everything was tailored specifically for them. It was and is. From one-to-one tutorials with award-winning writers to feedback from our resident writer/editor to beautifully prepared meals to satisfy every taste, we make these holidays into what one participant called “a life-changing experience that yields much.” Key to this experience is our intimate course size, never more than six participants. So come accelerate your writing journey with us in the stunning Loire Valley.

Writing colleague Nicholas Hogg – check out his website HERE is among the tutors on what looks like a varied and exciting series. He is leading two courses here– one on turning travels into words, and the other, a writing ‘bootcamp’. Nick’s own motorcycle journey across the emptiness of the Australian outback ended in a crash but inspired his first novel 'Show Me The Sky'.

STOP PRESS! Special discount of 35% if you book quoting V.G.DISCOUNT before May 31st.

Next, The Asham Award for new Women Writers goes Gothic! This biennial competition for short stories opens for submissions in June. This year they are theming the award, going into partnership with Virago, and asking you to pen your best ghost story or ‘go Gothic. Check out their website HERE from next week for further details. I’m really looking forward to joining the team of readers/longlisters for this one. Should be good!

Next, a new website is being launched on May 27th, in London – a real treasure trove for writers. Deadlines for magazines and journals calls for submissions, and competition closing dates, links to them all, a forum where you can interact with other writers and polish your work. The website is live and growing HERE: www.winningwriters.org.uk. From the website:

Exciting news! We can now confirm that the party to celebrate the launch of Winning Words will be held on Thursday 27th May, at Miss Q's bar in Earls Court Road, London SW5.

I’ll be there, giving a some tips on entering short story competitions, and answering as many questions as are fired. There will also be the chance to buy Short Circuit at a discount.