Hilary

Thanks @katemachon and @raine.

I have no idea when the shortlist will be announced. I didn’t even know the longlist was out until I saw someone twitting about it! There are so many great and experienced writers on that list I’m really chuffed I made it that far.

Congrats @johnalty and @elle – that’s great news and I’ll keep fingers crossed for teh next stage – when is the short list announced?

Congratulations John and Elle.

Congrats @johnalty

Turns out I’m on the Longlist too.

I do too. I’m really annoyed with myself for not entering the last one. I had an idea and half the words down but I ran out of time…

Go on Squidge, you know you want to enter 😉

Thanks, @JaneShuff

Congratulations @Johnalty. Lovely news!

I made the long list for the Ink Tears Short Story Competition 2018.

Nice… my kind of prompt.

Zoiks! Thanks John, and thanks for hosting and feeding back, and likewise to Libby and Daeds 🙂 I’m glad you liked my little writeup. I tried that site and thought it was going to make flattering comps as to my writing style but I think it has about 4 authors we supposedly write like. Anyway I’ll have a think about the Feb comp and get something up today.

Thanks so much, guys. Good advice @bren on the pacing! SO important.

I’ll let you know how the next phase goes…..

Brilliant – thanks John and well done Jonathan, a tour-de-force of purple prose

I’m buzzing for you. What a ride! And thank you so much for taking the time to tell us honestly what it is actually like.

The results are in!

Jonathan: A really clever piece of writing, wry observation. Excellent.

Libby: A pleasing little tale, well written and with a message. Good job.

Daedalus: Hugely enjoyable and accomplished description of life with a new puppy and the utter contentment that comes with its unreserved adoration. Liked it a lot.

So, eenie,…[Read more]

@philippaeast this is brilliant. You are fab, and you deserve all this success. And like Daeds says, it is so valuable to see the non-glossy version of people’s experiences, although I know it takes bravery to tell it. There are too many stories from authors who knew someone who knew an agent and tada! they were taken on, so it is heartening to…[Read more]

I think you’re right to be absolutely honest and not gloss over the difficulties and how emotionally taxing success can be. As writers we need to hear it and be under no illusions (and I think it would be nice if readers were a bit more aware of that too – a fellow writer and illustrator tells me his daughter’s friends refuse to accept that’s what…[Read more]

Thanks guys!

I think I am like the “doom-monger” blogger. I read so many articles that are like “the whole thing was amazing and I felt thrilled the whole time” and I’m like… “really??”

Alright, so I am a born worrier and totally neurotic, but I do want to share an honest account of the challenges that come, even when on paper what’s…[Read more]