Friends – Activity – RichardB

Philippa East replied to the topic I've gone and done it again! in the forum Podium 7 years, 9 months ago

Oh excellent! You are on a ROLL. Well done!
Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago

Hi @alanr

I think this definitely sounds clearer and more focused, well done. You sound like you understand your own book, because you have described it clearly in para 1.

Couple of thoughts for the blurb bit (the bit we want to “zing”) – given that the book centres around the manananggal, I am curious to know how Galina becomes possessed……[Read more]
Seagreen replied to the topic I've gone and done it again! in the forum Podium 7 years, 9 months ago

Just saw the news on Facebook but Woohoo! again 😀
Jules replied to the topic I've gone and done it again! in the forum Podium 7 years, 9 months ago

Well done, Janette. Brilliant news 😊
John S Alty replied to the topic I've gone and done it again! in the forum Podium 7 years, 9 months ago

Well done Janette!
Janette started the topic I've gone and done it again! in the forum Podium 7 years, 9 months ago

I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I have more good news to share. I have just been informed that my story, 32 Ivy Place, has won the Doris Gooderson Short Story Competition. They had this to say:

All the judges enjoyed reading your story and I have the pleasure of informing you that it has been judged to be one of the top three.

We…[Read more]
Athelstone posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago

Mean and generous tied at 11 each so the outcome at the moment is generous by default. Anybody yet to vote who feels like being mean?
- Whisks replied 7 years, 9 months ago
  
  Generous please. There’s already enough meanness in the world.
  - Athelstone replied 7 years, 9 months ago
    
    That’s true of the world. But had you considered that a little meanness might help the short story challenge?
    - Whisks replied 7 years, 9 months ago
      
      No, m’dear. I don’t know enough about it to consider whether or not it needs help – and assume it’ll be strong enough. 😀
Daedalus replied to the topic Den monthly competition September 2018 in the forum Competitions, Open calls and Writing Opportunities 7 years, 9 months ago

Last day to enter this, if anyone fancies a go. 400 words, theme of ‘new beginnings’
John S Alty posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago

I’m painting my old Sanyo microwave to match the kitchen cupboards.
Athelstone posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago

Just a quick note to all Denizens: if you’ve missed the “Room with a View” challenge, take a quick trip to the group “A Room with a View” and read up on this short story extravaganza. You have until 22:00 tomorrow (Sunday 30th September) to join the group and make choices as explained in the Welcome Topic. It’s great fun and lasts until FEBRUARY…[Read more]
John S Alty and Stevie are now friends 7 years, 9 months ago

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Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago

You’re welcome. Good luck!
Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago

To explain my changes:

Para 1: what kind of book
You sound a bit waffly on genre. I’ve tried to make it more specific, avoid the term ‘borderline literary’, and simply give your nice elevator pitch upfront. I think your setting is a real USP so I’ve got that in upfront too.

I fear an agent will freak at your word count! Books above 100k words…[Read more]
Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago

Hi @alanr,

Ooo, thanks for sharing! I like the sound of these supernatural elements, and the interplay between your three main characters. I was just thinking today about then book “Ice” by Anna Kavan. I think yours has similarities to this too.

Okay, I’ve dived straight in and edited, as I see fit. Feel free to disagree with any or all of my…[Read more]
Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago

Nice one! What is your book about?? Don’t think you’ve told me yet.

Not sure it was mine you read. No tube crash in mine (just a tube crush). only started it in 2015 too. I wonder whose story it was!
Squidge posted an update 7 years, 9 months ago

Am at Wolves and Apples tomorrow… Lots of well known children’s authors speaking or leading workshops (Anne Fine, Tamsin Winter, Narinder Dhami, to name but a few) so will be interesting to see what they say. Also got a 1-2-1 with a publisher. There’s bound to be a blog in it.
Philippa East replied to the topic Fahrenheit Press: NOT just for women, but noting an imbalance in the forum Competitions, Open calls and Writing Opportunities 7 years, 9 months ago

Thanks for flagging this, @sandradavies

Incidentally, despite the call to arms for subs from female writers, @pinkbelt75 I wonder if you’ve considered these guys for your crime novel(s)?
Philippa East replied to the topic Example Cover Letter in the forum Blogs 7 years, 9 months ago

Hi @alanr,

Nice typo spot! Man, there’s always one (or 12).

Yes, this is the novel I’ve now rewritten in dual POV. The original version I was peddling here was too much of a coming-of-age story and (in Sarah’s words) “not twisty enough”. Cue complete rewrite!

Though, as I’ve mentioned before, the suggested changes simply helped me get it…[Read more]
John S Alty and Xander Michael are now friends 7 years, 9 months ago

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Daedalus replied to the topic My failure in the forum Podium 7 years, 9 months ago

Interesting perspective, Andrew. It seems to me that an awful lot of ‘failure’ is not necessarily a failure in the writing, but a failure to direct the writing to the best audience – whether it be a competition, a magazine, an anthology (in short story terms), or an agent, a publisher or competition etc in novel terms. And a lot of that is down to…[Read more]
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