Den of Writers | Raine | Activity https://www.denofwriters.com/members/raine/activity/ Activity feed for Raine. Mon, 04 May 2026 20:49:00 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-GB 30 hourly 2 d27089c17539ce421afd325221dc0fe0 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/20306/#acomment-20318 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:31:05 +0000 COngrats!! That’s wonderful! Who is it with? Good luck with it πŸ™‚

In reply to - Thea started the topic Free book in the forum Podium At long last, my first novel is about to be published! Signum is the first instalment of The Serpents of Caesar historical fantasy series set in an alternate […] ]]> 92836c9b14d0c97143ba8c2ef41e7d7c Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/20162/#acomment-20169 Wed, 21 Sep 2022 09:46:36 +0000 omg I’m on the wiki!! Lol, fame at last.

In reply to - Raine posted an update Hi all, just dropping by to catch up on the annual challenge & whisper that a previous challenge story (Bathymetry) has just won the British Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction. So thank you […] ]]> a0d9ca4c6ac77aed226fe5510e27905d Raine posted an update: Hi all, just dropping by to catch up on the annual challenge […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/20162/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:09:57 +0000 Hi all, just dropping by to catch up on the annual challenge & whisper that a previous challenge story (Bathymetry) has just won the British Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction. So thank you all for being part of such an inspiring annual event. πŸ™‚

]]> 6 4dba79e30d04b7bc929ee9b75341f21a Raine replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum All You Need https://www.denofwriters.com/groups/all-you-need/forum/topic/chit-chat-4/#post-12709 Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:27:21 +0000 I think I’ve suffered more indecision over my choices this time than any previous comp! Ah well. Posted now so will just have to ride the chaos wave…

 

]]> 0 87391fa8c3a9148bf4cee388b5bbf67b Raine replied to the topic Choices in the forum All You Need https://www.denofwriters.com/groups/all-you-need/forum/topic/choices-5/#post-12708 Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:43:01 +0000 Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Yes, there is.

]]> 0 ab749a515d8b30a058618a85d2e5ce87 Raine joined the group All You Need https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/19981/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 11:25:07 +0000 0 0b18a523b7f39ca0da19449b1e3a15ec Raine replied to the topic The Future of the Den (again) in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/the-future-of-the-den-again/#post-12490 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 10:50:00 +0000 Yeah, I think recruiting people to a Discord group is much easier than to a website, tbh. I spend more time in my discord group than I do any online group, mainly because it’s an app & I can do it easily when I’m away from my laptop. Partly because it facilitates chat in a way websites, however well constructed, just don’t. And where I am now, I’m…[Read more]

]]> 0 00698776be8598582008496dc5e369ef Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/19806/#acomment-19815 Wed, 27 Jul 2022 12:19:43 +0000 Thank you both πŸ™‚

In reply to - Raine posted an update Wanted to let anyone know who remembers my Bathymetry story from one of the winter challenges … it’s been shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award! Very surprised by that, but proves how far […] ]]> 67c45a99e0154befb057af2e8074b086 Raine posted an update: Wanted to let anyone know who remembers my Bathymetry story […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/19806/ Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:36:25 +0000 Wanted to let anyone know who remembers my Bathymetry story from one of the winter challenges … it’s been shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award! Very surprised by that, but proves how far our wee stories born in here can roam!

]]> 3 3d5037181922babc32f3b9fbae19a7eb Raine replied to the topic The Future of the Den (again) in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/the-future-of-the-den-again/#post-12478 Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:34:39 +0000 Just wanted to extend my appreciation to Ath and Jules for starting & maintaining/updating/supporting this place. I’m afraid I have very much drifted off, largely just because of the other demands on my writing time. It’s nice to know this place is here & I look forward to the annual challenges, but I honestly don’t spend enough time here to be…[Read more]

]]> 0 f002d76c2139d4fbd659ccf6fa28fdec Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/19185/#acomment-19202 Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:09:18 +0000 Oof, even early bird is still a fair bit more than it used to be. I don’t think I’ll be there. Like Sea says – I’d rather just meet up with Denizens!

In reply to - Athelstone posted an update Festival of Writing is back on at York this year. Any takers? ]]> 90f417d1fc810eef9ac1d055b1effbf0 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/19103/#acomment-19125 Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:06:49 +0000 Exciting! Thank you so so much, Ath.

In reply to - Athelstone posted an update OK. There are a few changes to look out for. The new Main Menu is obvious, as is the new presentation of messages on the Activity Page. To be honest, I prefer the old appearance, but […] ]]> 6528bd2a1a10c43ac03e5bfeacc7ee24 Raine replied to the topic Monthly Comp - February 2022 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-comp-february-2022/#post-11689 Tue, 01 Mar 2022 15:34:21 +0000 Thank you guys for entering! And for writing such fun pieces – they all have something special to them, I think.
@athelstone I love the details and voice of yours, the small touches that make each character so recognisable.
@sandradavies well, naked men wrestling, what more can anyone ask for really?? Love the balance of violence and tenderness…[Read more]

]]> 0 55101a9158688f266529ec2de48f3268 Raine posted an update: Just a couple more days to get your monthly comp entries in. […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18990/ Sat, 26 Feb 2022 11:03:52 +0000 Just a couple more days to get your monthly comp entries in. If it helps with motivation, I’ve just had a recent one accepted for publication! So write them words, they might end up earning you money!

]]> 0 cb80d2e6294d8766dbeeaea89e4454a9 Raine started the topic Monthly Comp - February 2022 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-comp-february-2022/ Mon, 31 Jan 2022 12:55:41 +0000 Right folks. Two things that featured heavily in my weekend were Encanto and storms … so those are my inspirations for this month’s challenge. I want a scene with 2+ siblings interacting & a weather or astrological event. 400 words by the 28th, bonus points for Encanto easter eggs!
Have fun!

]]> 0 d28c2cab62be8542c5964027bc495dd7 Raine replied to the topic Monthly Competition - January 2022 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-january-2022/#post-11445 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 11:53:08 +0000 Aw thank you @knickylaurelle!! Glad it struck a chord πŸ™‚ And I loved everyone else’s entries so yay everyone!

Okay, I need to think about next month – will get pondering and post something later/tmrw.

]]> 0 5d4754011384f5a43e935771cf278d30 Raine replied to the topic Monthly Competition - January 2022 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-january-2022/#post-11397 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 12:47:27 +0000 Right – it’s ramshackle and unplanned, but at least I’ve done one!!!

To breathe.

That’s it. That’s what you need to do to win against this particular enemy. He’s always been there, this one. He’s one of my earliest and definitely my most constant childhood memory. Hunched forward in the dark, fear and aloneness so present in the room th…[Read more]

]]> 0 1796b033d25f047319d30d8d5d474415 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18651/#acomment-18685 Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:44:35 +0000 They’re a range of genres so hopefully something in there that can tempt you!

In reply to - Raine replied to the topic Reads for 2022 in the forum Coffee Shop Oh gosh, loads. Intisar Khanani’s next one, Chloe Gong’s first adult book, I think Lucy Foley has a new thriller due out soon. Emily St John […] ]]> 95548357178424d687930bba6f1b277a Raine replied to the topic Monthly competition December 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-december-2021/#post-11384 Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:44:01 +0000 Sorry. Book stuff is hectic just now. I do love these comps & have had several publications out of them so they are really worth doing. But …. *wails* I have no time!!

]]> 0 52499fbb8eb940496f55865a5d0a7027 Raine replied to the topic Reads for 2022 in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/reads-for-2022/#post-11353 Mon, 10 Jan 2022 11:33:33 +0000 Oh gosh, loads. Intisar Khanani’s next one, Chloe Gong’s first adult book, I think Lucy Foley has a new thriller due out soon. Emily St John Mandel’s next one looks fab, and I can’t wait for Jennifer Saint’s Elektra, and Guy Gavriel Kay’s new one.

And of course there’s our own Jane Jesmond (@janeshuff) and Fiona Erskine (@bric) releasing new…[Read more]

]]> 2 324fd61a3ba69687035cb4cdacc4e3e8 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18514/#acomment-18515 Thu, 02 Dec 2021 11:04:04 +0000 FAB comp, Sandra! So twisty!

In reply to - Sandra posted an update December comp is up – you’ve a month to exercise your writing muscles and put one of 2022’s Resolutions into practice. ]]> 23e139f4518b26a626095137d4143e10 Raine replied to the topic The Future of the Den - Part 2 in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/the-future-of-the-den-part-2/#post-11232 Thu, 25 Nov 2021 18:07:52 +0000 Hi @Athelstone, sorry – no I don’t think there is a delete option currently either, it was just that I could delete it off the main wall, but not in the forum which seemed like it might cause confusion. It would be good to be able to delete your own comments though, particularly for the monthly comps & publication rights issues, but it’s not critical.

]]> 0 70ffee78b1a6747b5cf8a0b69cdfc71a Raine replied to the topic The Future of the Den - Part 2 in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/the-future-of-the-den-part-2/#post-11228 Thu, 25 Nov 2021 13:08:45 +0000 It does look much improved @athelstone. Thank you for all the hard work. I love that copy/pasting from word works better & that reply threads won’t vanish. Also love the chat – I commented in there that I almost didn’t spot it though – is there a way of making it more prominent? Or listed on the ‘Activity’ drop down menu at the top?
THe other…[Read more]

]]> 0 c25b04b7081e958863281f6834cbaf16 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18402/#acomment-18423 Fri, 05 Nov 2021 11:39:34 +0000 *giant hugs*

In reply to - Raine replied to the topic Monthly Comp – October 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition Hi all! Thank you so much for entering this month – sorry I’m not the actual winner of last month but I’ve had fun being […] ]]> 4638ef145a3775ce2702b6cd36f35c9c Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18415/#acomment-18422 Fri, 05 Nov 2021 11:39:13 +0000 Ugh Daeds, as if you needed an extra thing to deal with now. Hope it doesn’t linger & hope you are able to treat yourself gently & get extensions if needed. x

In reply to - Daedalus posted an update Recovering from Covid. It’s no joke. Be careful out there people, the risk is real ]]> d67cae11d783e87e055a788cef24afb1 Raine replied to the topic Monthly Comp - October 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-comp-october-2021/#post-11160 Mon, 01 Nov 2021 18:29:26 +0000 Hi all! Thank you so much for entering this month – sorry I’m not the actual winner of last month but I’ve had fun being undeserved organiser anyway!

@knickylaurelle, I loved the dark, shadowy atmosphere to this. Lost boys and forests and witches – *chefs kiss* Some utterly beautiful imagery in here, my favourite has got to be ‘a cackle can be…[Read more]

]]> 4 682e7df7f77e3966324bd0342217a611 Raine posted an update: One week left to get your spooky flashes in for the October […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18383/ Sun, 24 Oct 2021 15:42:52 +0000 One week left to get your spooky flashes in for the October comp. Come unnerve and delight me. πŸ™‚

]]> 0 bc07e255fd0e2b2d1a8cbc6ae26dbf8a Raine replied to the topic Monthly Competition - September 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-september-2021/#post-11074 Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:30:18 +0000 Done! and lol! πŸ˜€

]]> 0 4bd7260dbd680016152f4f24ec12f4f1 Raine started the topic Monthly Comp - October 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-comp-october-2021/ Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:29:41 +0000 Okay, so as Sandra is offline, I’ve stepped in to set this month’s challenge. Keeping it simple, it’s Halloween month so I want <400 scary/eerie/weird words featuring one (or more) of the following:
A black cat
A skeleton (of any species)
A ghost
A small child out at night
A bag of sweets

Have at it. Entries close midnight on Halloween.…[Read more]

]]> 0 4464d256fe6f12ee60f4421af0cf5e78 Raine replied to the topic Monthly Competition - September 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-september-2021/#post-11059 Tue, 05 Oct 2021 10:59:48 +0000 @knickylaurelle just to let you know Sandra won’t be able to set a challenge as she’s offline for a wee while. Did you want to set another? Or I can invent something?

]]> 0 78fbd41bfe9afa18837e3ffc3e5a2154 Raine replied to the topic Monthly Competition - September 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-september-2021/#post-11055 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 06:52:30 +0000 Very deserved win @sandradavies, well done! & thank you for an unusual, fun challenge @knickylaurelle. Everyone’s entries were great (& fascinating insights into your psyche!!).

]]> 0 a7b52c9c74aefa24bf835ec33bb1a4a0 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18237/#acomment-18276 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:17:28 +0000 Actually managed it this month!!! A wee treat to myself in between *stuff*!! πŸ™‚

In reply to - Knicks posted an update Gentle one-week reminder for the Monthly Competition. This month’s prompt is dreams (or nightmare). Your piece can be inspired by a recent dream, or a recurring one. If you don’t dream, y […] ]]> 92e9dcacede6ac985114e42c459ae1a4 Raine replied to the topic Monthly Competition - September 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-september-2021/#post-11037 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:16:34 +0000 449 words. CW – it’s a little bit dark.

The Hounds

Dark water curls around the bases of the towers and somewhere the hounds are baying. From here, on the bared skeleton of the top floors you can see fires burning on other towers, flags red as blood flying like strings of prayers and there is safety there, possibly, but they are as far away as…[Read more]

]]> 0 af9a940fd86cee87538be4fdc0a1cecc Raine posted an update: Just sneaking in to say that if anyone is loitering around […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/18076/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:33:44 +0000 Just sneaking in to say that if anyone is loitering around Birmingham with nothing to do on Saturday 25th Sept, we’re holding a launch for my book at FantasyCon. It’s 11-12am & in the Jury’s Inn hotel. Downside is that you have to buy a day ticket to the Con to attend, which at the moment is Β£41. BUT that means you also get all the other bookish…[Read more]

]]> 0 b104b1b4648d2e1843cfc834818167b1 Raine replied to the topic Choices in the forum Coming Home https://www.denofwriters.com/groups/coming-home/forum/topic/choices-4/#post-10760 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:13:26 +0000 Boat
Fruit
CorazΓ³n

]]> 0 e63e0e2fdca5d4ae6279f8849d182047 Raine joined the group Coming Home https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/17951/ Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:06:45 +0000 0 f72ba2be4414393f86c4a7983e687efc Raine replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/the-future-of-the-den/#post-10403 Fri, 25 Jun 2021 12:49:22 +0000 First off, apologies. I am not as active on here as I was, and definitely not as active as I was on the Cloud. Partly, recently that’s been due to being swamped with book release stuff. Partly though it’s because of the format & the way the site kills off chat. Both in hiding replies and in it’s weird notifications limitations. I think that’s a…[Read more]

]]> 0 15208b922f534baa15e2f6fd1b0fb710 Raine posted an update: Just wanted to say hi & apologise for my absence. Things are […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/17421/ Wed, 26 May 2021 12:07:07 +0000 Just wanted to say hi & apologise for my absence. Things are busy with lead up to book release & I’m struggling to find time for other things. Which is a very nice complaint to have, so i’m not complainting. πŸ™‚ Anyway, hi Denizens, I do still exist, hope you do too.

]]> 3 5f9e0902a694437625206881a4113255 Raine replied to the topic Drink with a dead man in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/drink-with-a-dead-man/#post-10071 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:44:21 +0000 Fab review! Well done – she clearly really enjoyed it & picked up on all the things that I love about your writing! πŸ™‚

]]> 0 b25a499b48a71539da10b4e3aa0098ff Raine replied to the topic Cover reveal for This Is Our Undoing in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/cover-reveal-for-this-is-our-undoing/#post-10007 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 12:28:13 +0000 @Daedalus, that’s so unutterably awful it’s tipped all the way over into wonderful!

@libby, @athelstone, thank you. I’m delighted with my foxy. πŸ™‚

I think you’re right in that figures are often used as a massive ‘THIS IS WHAT THIS BOOK IS’ flag, like for bodice rippers or YA urban romantic fantasy, or twee historical rags-to-riches stories.…[Read more]

]]> 0 557b133225dd63b6a300d3ed4ab6d497 Raine replied to the topic Short story in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/short-story-2/#post-9938 Fri, 12 Mar 2021 14:28:05 +0000 Oh well done @katemachon! It’s a great wee story. πŸ™‚

]]> 1 9081d7f0cafcf1c5c5e1c3545adbe1ee Raine replied to the topic Cloudie short story challenge publication in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/cloudie-short-story-challenge-publication/#post-9926 Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:21:34 +0000 @Daedalus, it was mainly making the manifests more fleshed out (so to speak) so they felt more real and the way they worked made more sense. So small tweaks throughout rather than a big edit. And totally justified, I think. I am prone to the vagueness, as you know!!

]]> 0 22c237817f3f947efe08136f7b85b723 Raine replied to the topic Cloudie short story challenge publication in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/cloudie-short-story-challenge-publication/#post-9922 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 15:44:45 +0000 Thank you @Daedalus. It’s a great mag & the editorial team were fantastic throughout. The acceptance followed on from a revise & resubmit, so it took a while but I’m delighted it’s out.

]]> 0 43258af9efb7f6f3ead9a28697b5b54d Raine replied to the topic Cloudie short story challenge publication in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/cloudie-short-story-challenge-publication/#post-9910 Tue, 09 Mar 2021 17:27:22 +0000 Just in case you fancied a look – this went online today both text and podcast versions! Here at http://strangehorizons.com/fiction/bathymetry

🥳🥳🥳

]]> 2 8e784f57f30171b008317b51e12929e1 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/16854/#acomment-16876 Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:12:52 +0000 I have just story-binged. It was marvellous. Now I need to recover, and think, and might just (against all my expectations) vote in time…

In reply to - Athelstone posted an update Things that go Bump: with just over one week remaining, only half the votes are in. (apologies as usual to non-members) ]]> 022ea9013d2c727d46cc160f4088934d Raine started the topic Cover reveal for This Is Our Undoing in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/cover-reveal-for-this-is-our-undoing/ Mon, 01 Feb 2021 16:59:33 +0000 Hey all,

Just wanted to show you the cover for my book – I can’t post pictures here, but this link takes you to a wee blogpost. I witter a bit about it there, but you can ignore that and just admire the foxyness of the art. Daniele has done covers for the likes of Stephen King and lots more, so to have him do my art is pretty awesome. πŸ™‚ It’s…[Read more]

]]> 4 3be737c2726bd2a870da4450d3bd8afd Raine posted an update: Well I've posted my Bump comp! Yay me. Was beginning to […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/16349/ Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:52:06 +0000 Well I’ve posted my Bump comp! Yay me. Was beginning to think I might not make it, but rush-jobness notwithstanding, at least it’s done now & I can read the others. πŸ™‚

]]> 3 8729bf0638a1924b724fab80996a7d38 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/16242/#acomment-16248 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 14:22:57 +0000 Might be worth looking at Medecine Sans Frontier websites etc. They do a lot of work in the Med with the migrants, so there might be things via them?

In reply to - JaneShuff posted an update Posting this on the off chance someone can help. I’m planning my next book, part of which will be set in a camp for refugees and immigrants – very similar to the camp on Lesbos in Greece. […] ]]> d15d2c907569f516136cffa03af0dd43 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/16184/#acomment-16188 Mon, 04 Jan 2021 15:29:12 +0000 Hiya @libby Yeah, I’ve published several things from monthly comps before. Whatever we post on here, we retain all copyright, so there is no need to call a piece from here ‘previously published’ as such. As long as its been noticeably revised then I’ve never worried too much about submitting it as as an unpublished piece. Can you go back and…[Read more]

In reply to - Libby started the topic Copyright question re Den entries in the forum Competitions, Open calls and Writing Opportunities My resolution this year is to enter a couple of short-story competitions beyond the Den. To […] ]]> 9c532fc20abfe5802ebf3b457f753f4b Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/15994/#acomment-16052 Thu, 17 Dec 2020 12:54:50 +0000 Oh good! I was just stream of consciousness wittering, but if there was something useful in there, then yay! πŸ˜€

In reply to - Raine replied to the topic Traditional or Self-Publishing? in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat @janeshuff said much of what I would have done. Basically, going it alone means a biggish up front investment by you, […] ]]>