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woman's weekly.bmp I had my first woman's magazine short story back in yesterday's post, from Woman's Weekly. The story was one I'd written a while ago inspired by my second Dr Midas book. I'm not really surprised I got a standard rejection back as it was a bit dark - with more of a 'Tales of the Unexpected' vibe. It certainly wasn't a typical woman's magazine story but I thought it was worth a shot at WW as I've read they don't just want boy meets girl stories. I sent the story out on September 11th so a response has taken seven weeks, which is quicker than I'd expected given they receive so many submissions every month. I have sent them other stories, including one earlier than that which I'm a little more hopeful about as I've also read they look at them in strict order of arrival. Other writers have also mentioned that the magazine sometimes includes a tick box form with stories that are closer to acceptance. I received just a nicely worded, standard letter that says: "The Editor thanks you very much for submitting the enclosed manuscript, but regrets that it is not quite suitable for her requirements." Followed by details of where to write for fiction guidelines. Now I have to have a think if it's worth sending it somewhere else, I'm thinking of maybe Writers' Forum or The Weekly News. I'll have to start a new file for my short stories submissions now, oh and I've still got to find a way of stopping my dog getting to them first. Yet again this one will be put away looking like it's been hole-punched all over!

Got home last night to find Writers' Forum had returned my story for a second time - and worse still this time round I'd scored even less points. The comments this time include one questioning the whole story set up finding it original but unconvincing. - Now there is something in this, in my story a scientist discovers something in the jungle, but the judge said the existence of this thing was unbelievable so close to civilisation. Now I do have a scene set in a market but my main characters are in a special camp some distance away - but probably not far enough. This glitch - which I think I can easily fix - must have really drawn the reader out of my story world. They also didn't like the fact my main character Stanley is a girl but has a boy's name, saying "it adds nothing to the story." Now I could easily change her name, but I'm reluctant to as a) in my head she just IS Stanley and b) I chose the name because the story is set in the Congo (although I don't specify this in the revised version) where the great explorer Stanley went looking for Dr Livingstone a fact Stanley's mum would have liked and c) I don't think another name would add anything to the story either. Names are tricky because people can take against them for personal reasons, they might hate one name because they disliked someone called that. Unsurprisingly the judge thought my new title 'Stanley's Discovery' had room for improvement. Finally the judge questioned the pace finding it too even - now that's more worrying so I'm going to take another look at it to see if I agree. The only good news was they marked my introduction higher and my ending still rated as 'totally apt' - just the middle to work at then! The question is what to do next. Should I put the story away for a while and then give it another look? Should I give up on it altogether - will it always be flawed? Difficult that because I still love the story. I'd love to hear what you think especially if you've faced a similar situation. Should I send it somewhere else altogether? On a more positive note I finished my witch story last night and finally seem to be getting to grips with HTML coding on my website design course - hurrah.

You may have noticed but autumn has arrived - in fact at the moment it seems more like winter. It's dark when I wake up, dark when I'm going home and next week the clocks go back. Then there's the wind, rain and hailstone. I've already got my hat and gloves out. I love this time of year, I love Bonfire Night, Hallowe'en and of course - whisper it - Christmas is approaching. All very inspiring for short stories. This morning for example on the drive to work I started thinking about an idea for a children's story. I wanted it to be about a witch and soon I could hear the characters in my head - I know that sounds crazy to non-writers. I'm hoping the story will be suitable for The People's Friend's childrens page but the problem is it's too late to send it in for Hallowe'en - or much too early. Although I suppose I could make it less dependant on the actual event. I've also had a couple of ideas for Christmas stories but again it's too late for this year. You need to submit seasonal stories at least three months in advance according to the advice I've seen. My question to any writers reading this is how do you get round this? Do you write spring stories in Autumn? Summer holiday stories in January? I can't imagine writing about lambs and daffodils in between my Christmas shopping. Or do you hang on to stories? I sent my People's Friend (writers' Forum) competition story off this morning having decided on the title and fixed a typo. I'm also trying to keep a proper record of what I've sent where and when, I thought I had a good track of my story submissions until I couldn't remember where I sent one! Luckily I found a note in the back of one of my many notebooks.

The Writers' Advice Centre for children's books have launched their 2009 writing competition but this year they are not looking for a short story but a first chapter. Louise Jordan explains: "What we are looking for is a first chapter that really grabs the attention and makes us want to read the rest of the book. It's that 'I can't put it down' factor that we're after. " Your book can be for any age group and the maximum word count is 1000 words - for younger children aim for a much shorter word count. Louise added: "There are no rules on presentation except to say that your competition entry must reach us in exactly the same state as it would if you, yourself, were sending it out to a real publisher." You can include a cover letter and you should also explain where you see your book fitting in the current market, however do not submit illustrations or descriptions of illustrations. Entry is open to all ages with a ??5 fee with a deadline of August 31 2009. The winner will receive ??100, a signed copy of Louise's excellent book 'How to Write for Children & Get Published' and a free editorial and marketing assessment of your book with the chance to have your work submitted to a mainstream publisher (if the author agrees.) One runner-up will receive a signed copy of How to Write for Children & Get Published plus a free professional editorial & marketing assessment of their entry. All entrants will be offered the chance to have their work critiqued at a reduced rate. As I've mentioned before I won the centre's 2007 short story competition and Louise has been really encouraging about my writing. She interviewed me for Writers' Forum and submitted my Dr Midas book to Puffin. The manuscript assessment was also really helpful and I always keep the tips in mind when writing short stories. I would really recommend having a go at this competition. For full details visit www.writersadvice.co.uk/

By strange coincidence the latest copy of Writers' Forum magazine has an excellent new monthly competition for women's magazine's short stories starting with The People's Friend. It's definitely worth tracking down a copy of the November issue if short stories are your thing because there's lots of useful tips in it too. The challenge is to write a 1,000 word story for PF (one entry only) and the competition is free to enter and open to anyone who hasn't already had a story published in the magazine. You can also opt to have your story critiqued for ??3 by teh article's writer Sue Moorcroft. Stories must be sent to a special address given in the magazine - not The People's Friend offices. Any shortlisted stories 'of suitable standard' by Sue and the PF fiction editor Shirley Blair will be used in the People's Friend. I'm hoping to have a go at this competition, the chances are the children's story I've just submitted to them will not be decided upon for some time. There is also an advertisement in WF for a short story competition bu The Lady, England's oldest weekly magazine. You can choose from three genres comedy, historical or mystery. Again only one entry per person but this time stories must be between 2,000 and 2,200 words. Winning stories will be published in The Lady. Full competition details will be in The Lady's October 14th edition. I'm not familiar with this magazine so I'm going to try and track down a few copies so I can see if I'd like to have a go at this comp too.

When I checked the post on Saturday I saw a familiar A4 white envelope with the address written in my own handwriting. Now usually this means one thing another rejection. Well it was in a way – it was the short story assessment from Writer’s Forum magazine. The form is broken down into different sections including opening, title, characters, language and ending. Then there is a choice of description that the reader can pick with a score next to it. For example title: Suited the story – 10, room for improvement 5, and try again 0. There are also four sections for the reader to add more detailed comments. Finally there is a page of typed general hints that are not specific to your entry and then a total and explanation as to what the overall scores mean. My story ‘Ninety nine per cent’ about the space chimp programme scored 150 (out of a maximum out of 230.) Ham the space chimp This meant it qualified for second read and there was also a tick next to highly commended (130+) . The form explains: “After an initial assessment the manuscript is either rejected or passed to another reader for a second opinion. At that stage it is either rejected or short listed for the attention of the editor and publisher. My story scored better for the early parts but the reader felt it needed a more exciting finish. This seemed a very fair comment to me as I can struggle with the endings of some short stories and I may well take another look at my story. They also said: “Confident writing, great premise for story, good characters in the chimps, lots of research and accurate detail.” But they went on to say: “But what is the theme? Too ambiguous for short story,” with some suggestions as to what needed fixing. Overall I was pleased with the comments and thought they were excellent at showing where improvements could be made. Writers’ Forum run a writing competition every month in their magazine including the application form – which can also be downloaded from their website at www.writers-forum.com Entry is £10 (£7 for subscribers) including a critique like mine. It did take a little while for them to reply. You also need to include biographical details (50 words maximum) and if chosen they will need a photograph of you. Stories should be between 800 and 3000 words. The Prizes are: £300 1st prize, £150 2nd prize and £100 3rd prize.

Hello friends of blog-reading!

Sometimes an idea strikes you and you have no choice but to pull off the side of the road, hop out of the car and shout to the heavens:

"BY JOVE! THAT IS BRILLIANT!"

Sometimes the ideas aren't that great and you kind of shrug a little bit and say 'eh' while you make a left hand turn into the parking lot of the local coffee barn for a steaming cup of pulverized bean juice. You can decide which category the following fits in.

A blogging pal (it's Dan over at This Man's World) and I are in the formative stages of dedicating an ENTIRE week to...(wait for it)

OUR NERDERYS!!!

It's going to be double deluxe awesome. We'll show you scenes from our respective nerd lairs. You'll see the places where we keep our you're-too-old-for-that action figures! You'll see trinkets that would've been best left at Target (or any other value superstore), and all kinds of stuff. Heck, there might be videos! There might be pictures! There might be carelessly crafted haikus about my autographed Selma Hayek picture.

Who would want to miss that???

Wow, TKT. I've got a nerdery/study/office/shack in the back where I dry out animal skins that I would like to share with the blogging world, too. Can I get in?

My answer: Heck, yes friend. You can get in on the ground floor.

While it's still in the formative stages, I'm planning on linking back and forth to other nerderys/offices/etc. so that we can all see where the magic happens.

But TKT, I just have a cubicle. Also, I like to eat paste.

That's okay, fella/fellete! Any nerdery will do. Any. Nerdery. Will. Do.

Stay tuned, party people. We're about to blow the lid offa this one.

Owwwwwwwwwww!!!!