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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.

I had another short story back from Writers' Forum magazine on Saturday with the usual scoring sheet inside. The story was one I'd written a while ago and had been struggling with getting finished to my satisfaction. The main problem I'd had was the ending and I've written various versions hoping to something would feel right. I finally got something that worked but I still wasn't 100 per cent satisfied with the story although I was happy with the plot and characters. So I was surprised when the reader said they thought the ending was apt but the beginning needed work and the flow in general. A rewrite was suggested. The other problem I've had with the story was the title - I couldn't find one I liked. For a while I called it secrets and savages but at the last minute I shortened it to just 'secrets.' The reader was not impresses 'as a sub you should be able to come up with a better one.' Quite right and as I've said before I often get the title first. So why was the title a struggle in this case? I think probably I haven't got a proper grasp on what the story is about. I'm definitely going to take another look at the whole thing. As for the opening I think I give away too much to early and perhaps a non-chronogical form would be better. I had a similiar problem with a story I wrote this weekend for a Writing Magazine competition. The theme is 'The Window Dresser' and after some thought I'd built a plot for my main character Harriet. I wrote the story in one go and thought I was happy with it but the next morning on re-reading it I found it - well boring. Something was wrong with it so I tried to analyse it. What was wrong with the beginning? Well I think I was telling not showing the story, the start was too long-winded as I tried to set up the situation. I hacked away, changed some scenes, made sure my unlikeable character was nasty from the start oh and then I decided it would be better in first person. That meant chaning lots of she's and her's but towards the end of the story there was a scene which wasn't from Harriet's viewpoint which took some thinking about - but I think it works. Perhaps my 'secrets' story needs to be in first person too? Sometimes I start writing in first person but there have been other occasions when I've changed the viewpoint afterwards. Also on my to-do list is a story idea I had on the way in to work this morning which might suit the People's Friend competition. There's going to be a twist in the tale so it'll be quite tricky to make it work - but I'm hopeful. I'm trying to do at least a couple of stories a week if not more. I find the more I do the more ideas I have. * I had an email at the weekend from York Art Gallery to say Tracy Chevalier is holding two writing workshops this Saturday (October 11th) at 10.30-11.15 and 12-12.45. Suitable for those aged 10+ it costs ??5 per session. (I wish I could go.) To book your place ring: 01904 650333. The newsletter also says they had over 600 entries to their short story competition - even at 300 words each that's an awful lot of reading for Tracy!

A really popular competition which set out to find a new children's author will return for the second time this weekend. The winner, Emily Diamand, will have her book 'Reavers' published this October by Chicken House as 'Reavers??? Ransom' and next year it could be you. 2,000 writers entered the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction competition last year (including me!) and I'm sure there'll be as many this time around. The competition last year was for a completed manuscript and the details of this year's requirements will be in The Times on Saturday and no doubt online too. The only details I have for this year so far is that entries must be received by 13th October, and the shortlist will be announced in February 2009. The judging panel will be chaired by Chicken House Managing Director Barry Cunningham and includes author David Almond, consultant Wendy Cooling and Nyree Jillings from Waterstone's. The competition will be really tough but you can still view the shortlisted entries and some tips on the Times website at www.timesonline.co.uk/childrensauthor Judge Malorie Blackman said: "The winning book, Reavers by Emily Diamand, possesses all the qualities I look for in a novel and then some. (And what a dream name for a writer. I'm jealous!). Reavers is an amazing, accomplished story and I feel privileged to have been a part of bringing this story to a wider audience." The Times says 'Reavers' Ransom' is set about 200 years in the future when climate change has caused sea levels to rise. The synopsis on Amazon explains: "Lilly Melkun is out fishing with her sea-cat when the bloodthirsty Reavers come raiding - and steal the Prime Minister's daughter. Her village blamed, Lilly decides to find the girl. Off she sails in secret with a ransom - an extraordinary talking jewel. But, nothing can prepare her for what happens next ... "

Award–winning publisher, Frances Lincoln Limited, and Seven Stories, the Centre for Children’s Books, have launched 'Diverse Voices' an award in memory of Frances Lincoln (1945–2001). The search is on for a children's book manuscript that "celebrates cultural diversity in the widest possible sense, either in terms of its story or in terms of the ethnic and cultural origins of its author." The winner will receive £1,500, plus the option for Frances Lincoln Children’s Books to publish their novel. FLCB founded in 1977 publish well over 100 new books a year, and have nearly 1000 in print. The competition is for an unpublished book (fiction) for eight to 12-year-olds by a writer aged 16 or over. The book must be between 10,000 and 30,000 words in English. The writer must not have previously published a novel for children but may have contributed to an anthology of prose or poetry. The closing date for all entries is 30 January 2009. The winner will be announced at an award ceremony at Seven Stories, the Centre for Children’s Books, next April. The award has been set up to : "Take positive steps to increase the representation of people writing from or about different cultural perspectives, whose work is published in Britain today. Promote new writing for children, especially by or about people whose culture and voice are currently underrepresented. Recognise that as children’s books shape our earliest perceptions of the world and its cultures, promoting writing that represents diversity will contribute to social and cultural tolerance. Support the process of writing rather than, as with the majority of prizes, promoting the publication." The judges will be Trevor Phillips – Chair of The Equality and Human Rights Commission, Jake Hope – Children’s Librarian for Lancashire Libraries, and a freelance consultant, Geraldine Brennan – Journalist and former Books Editor at the Times Educational Supplement, Janetta Otter-Barry – Editorial Director, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and Mary Briggs – Co-Founder of Seven Stories, the Centre for Children’s Books For entry forms email [email protected] You can check out the great titles published by FLCB at their website www.franceslincoln.com/Home

University of Huddersfield has launched a short story and poetry competition to find material for its new anthology Grist. The once a year publication will include the winning selections alongside established writers. The Grist website explains: "Grist is interested in fresh new voices with something to say. By publishing emerging writers alongside established writers, Grist provides a unique opportunity for those starting out in their writing careers. For the reader of Grist, each issue in book form will provide two hundred pages of the best new writing around." Joanne Harris Short stories can be up to 3,500 words on any subject and there is a £3 entry fee per story. You may submit as many stories as you like. Joanne Harris author of Chocolat and Runemarks will be the judge. The three overall winners will receive a cash prize. The three winners and all runners up will be published in the next issue of Grist. The closing date November 30th 2008. Simon Armitage will judge the poetry competition. Poems should be up to 40 lines and can be on any subject. Entry is £3 per poem and you can submit as many poems as you like. The three overall winners will receive a cash prize. The three winners and all runners up will be published in the next issue of Grist. Again the closing date is November 30th 2008. There are other rules about style of manuscript and you have to print off an entry form available at the competition's website at www.hud.ac.uk/mh/english/grist/index.htm

Do you write science fiction stories? The BSFA (British Science Fiction Association) was set up in 1958 when a group of leading authors, publishers, booksellers and fans decided that Britain needed an international organisation to encourage science fiction in every form. Now, 50 years later they are marking their success with a short story competition for writers. strong> Entrants must be from the UK & Ireland and there is a first prize of ??500 up for grabs.The shortlisted runners up will receive ??50, and the winning and shortlisted entries will be published in a special issue of FOCUS the BSFA???s magazine for writers. The BSFA website says: "The maximum length of stories is 8,000 words. The stories must be science fiction, but we???re willing to take a broad definition of what that means." Stephen Baxter will judge the best entries All entries must be accompanied by a ??10 entry fee (you can use paypal) and the shortlisted stories will be judges by British science fiction authors Justina Robson, Stephen Baxter & Alastair Reynolds. Authors may enter as many times as they wish, but all stories must be accompanied by a separate entry form and the ??10 entry fee. Entries can be posted or emailed and there are rules on how to present the manuscript. The closing date for entries is Friday September 5th 2008 and the winner will be announced at the BSFA 50th Anniversary birthday party on November 26th 2008. For more details go to www.bsfa.co.uk

There are just a couple of weeks left before the deadline for this year's Bridport Prize. Anyone can enter and there are some big money prizes to be won alongwith the chance for your work to be read by a top agent. I have never entered this particular competition as I've always been a bit intimidated by it - so I'd be interested to hear readers' opinions on it. The Bridport Prize International Creative Writing Competition was founded in 1973 and now attracts many thousands of entries from over 80 countries. You can now enter online or via the post using the application form which can be printed off from the website. There are two categories - short stories up to 5,000 words and poems 42 lines maximum both with a top prize of £5,000. Second prize is £1,000 and third £500 with ten supplementary prizes of £50 each and the top 26 stories and poems will be published in the Bridport Prize 2008 anthology. All 26 winners are invited to a Prizegiving Lunch at the Town Hall in Bridport, Dorset. An additional £100 and a perpetual trophy is awarded to the best local (Dorset, UK) winner or runner up. The winning stories and shortlist will be read by London leading agents with a view to representing writers. Helen Simpson will judge the short stories Short stories will be judged by writer Helen Simpson who said: "The short story form is intrinsically witty, adrenalised, quick--not restful. It encourages concision. VSPritchett described, 'How did the story change as I rewrote it, perhaps four or five times, boiling down a hundred pages into twenty or thirty, as I still do? Story writing is exacting work.' I'll be looking for stories which show imaginative pleasure in meeting the demands of the form." The Bridport website explains: "In many cases a win in the Bridport Prize has led to further successes and helped to launch new writers. Kate Atkinson (a short story winner in 1990) said that it was very important, confirming that she had found her "voice". Her short story went on to become the first chapter of her novel, "Behind the Scenes at the Museum", winner of the 1995 Whitbread Book of the Year. She returned to judge the Short Story section in 2001. Other noteworthy names include Helen Dunmore (also a 1990 winner) whose "Spell of Winter" won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 1996; Tobias Hill, a winner in both categories (poetry 1994, short story 1996) and Tess Biddington, a winner in 2000, who made it onto the short list for The Forward Prize and gained an agent for her forthcoming novel, plus many others." The Prize is open to anyone, including non-UK applicants,over 18 years. Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must never have been published, self-published, published on any website or broadcast. Closing date is June 30th 2008. Each entry costs £6. More details from www.bridportprize.org.uk

Always fancied writing abook but struggle to find the time - well here's a chance to write just one chapter. The Green Story is creative writing competition where you can submit your idea for what should happen next. There are three versions, adult, teen and childre's and each has a green theme. The competition is run by greenmetropolis.com an online book seller that recycles used books and supports Woodland Trust in helping to conserve, restore and re-establish our country's native woodlands. The Green Story "Encourages all readers, young and old, to think about how we can best look after the environment." It will run for 10 months, creating a book with 10 chapters which will be published as 'The Green Story' book at the end of the year with all proceeds going to The Woodland Trust. Each chapter must be written in the third person, rather than 'first person' viewpoint and should follow on from the previous winning chapter. Readers can vote on the story too. Children's story The competition is looking for a 'green' story which helps everyone think about how we can save trees and keep our environment cleaner by re-using and recycling all sorts of things, like paper and bottles, cans, books, clothes and all sorts of stuff that people sometimes just throw away. Each entry must be no more than 1000 words, and the ending must be left open, so that the story may be continued. This is how the story begins: Not too far away from where you live is a wonderful herb garden. It is a tidy and colourful place to visit, with row on row of sweet-smelling herbs and in the centre of the garden is a tall green tree. This tree is a very special place because a Tree Sprite lives there, called Willow. Teenagers story The competition is for a 'green' themed story which will encourage readers to think about how they can look after the environment and prevent further damage to the planet. The site says: "Although the green story has to be about 'green' issues, you can decide your own content - it can be as dark or as inspirational as you like. Sci-fi or romance, gothic horror or murder mystery, it's up to you. Your entry must not exceed 1500 words, and must be left open, so that the story may continue through to the next chapter." This is how the story begins: Alice in Ecoland “Alice” her mother called from the kitchen. Alice and her friend Bryony were watching a fashion show on the television. “Those coats are fantastic” Bryony swooned. “I NEED one” Alice emphasised the word ‘need’. Ms Mayfair walked in and frowned at the television. “Alice” she repeated. “Yes?” Alice grunted, her eyes remaining on the screen. On the television there were skinny women wearing chinchilla fur coats and suede boots under big flashing lights. “Alice, look at me when I’m talking to you” her mother sounded disgruntled. Alice snapped her head around so she could look at her mother, although she still had one eye on the television. “Yes?” Alice sighed. “It’s a glorious day outside” Ms Mayfair whipped the curtains open to prove it. The sun was so bright, they couldn’t see the television. “Mum” Alice groaned. “It’s too bright” “You’re no vampire, Alice” Adult story the site says: "We're looking for a 'green' themed story which inspires and challenges readers to think again about how they can look after the environment and prevent further damage to the planet. Although the green story has to be about 'green' issues, you can decide your own content - it can be as dark or as inspirational as you like! Sci-fi or romance, gothic horror or murder mystery, it's up to you." Entry must not exceed 2000 words, and must be left open, so that the story may continue through to the next chapter. This is how the story begins: Chapter One. The bunker. Her eyes already adjusted to the darkness, she squinted into the sickly flickering light, scanning the faces crowding past her for anyone familiar. No-one. She let herself be carried along with the tide of people, bustling through the narrow concrete corridor with no end in sight. Airlock doors occasionally passed on their left and right, sunk into the dank walls. She strained her neck to look above the stream of people to what was ahead. Nothing. To read the previous chapters and to submit your entry visit http://www.thegreenstory.co.uk

Always fancied writing abook but struggle to find the time - well here's a chance to write just one chapter. The Green Story is creative writing competition where you can submit your idea for what should happen next. There are three versions, adult, teen and childre's and each has a green theme. The competition is run by greenmetropolis.com an online book seller that recycles used books and supports Woodland Trust in helping to conserve, restore and re-establish our country's native woodlands. The Green Story "Encourages all readers, young and old, to think about how we can best look after the environment." It will run for 10 months, creating a book with 10 chapters which will be published as 'The Green Story' book at the end of the year with all proceeds going to The Woodland Trust. Each chapter must be written in the third person, rather than 'first person' viewpoint and should follow on from the previous winning chapter. Readers can vote on the story too. Children's story The competition is looking for a 'green' story which helps everyone think about how we can save trees and keep our environment cleaner by re-using and recycling all sorts of things, like paper and bottles, cans, books, clothes and all sorts of stuff that people sometimes just throw away. Each entry must be no more than 1000 words, and the ending must be left open, so that the story may be continued. This is how the story begins: Not too far away from where you live is a wonderful herb garden. It is a tidy and colourful place to visit, with row on row of sweet-smelling herbs and in the centre of the garden is a tall green tree. This tree is a very special place because a Tree Sprite lives there, called Willow. Teenagers story The competition is for a 'green' themed story which will encourage readers to think about how they can look after the environment and prevent further damage to the planet. The site says: "Although the green story has to be about 'green' issues, you can decide your own content - it can be as dark or as inspirational as you like. Sci-fi or romance, gothic horror or murder mystery, it's up to you. Your entry must not exceed 1500 words, and must be left open, so that the story may continue through to the next chapter." This is how the story begins: Alice in Ecoland “Alice” her mother called from the kitchen. Alice and her friend Bryony were watching a fashion show on the television. “Those coats are fantastic” Bryony swooned. “I NEED one” Alice emphasised the word ‘need’. Ms Mayfair walked in and frowned at the television. “Alice” she repeated. “Yes?” Alice grunted, her eyes remaining on the screen. On the television there were skinny women wearing chinchilla fur coats and suede boots under big flashing lights. “Alice, look at me when I’m talking to you” her mother sounded disgruntled. Alice snapped her head around so she could look at her mother, although she still had one eye on the television. “Yes?” Alice sighed. “It’s a glorious day outside” Ms Mayfair whipped the curtains open to prove it. The sun was so bright, they couldn’t see the television. “Mum” Alice groaned. “It’s too bright” “You’re no vampire, Alice” Adult story the site says: "We're looking for a 'green' themed story which inspires and challenges readers to think again about how they can look after the environment and prevent further damage to the planet. Although the green story has to be about 'green' issues, you can decide your own content - it can be as dark or as inspirational as you like! Sci-fi or romance, gothic horror or murder mystery, it's up to you." Entry must not exceed 2000 words, and must be left open, so that the story may continue through to the next chapter. This is how the story begins: Chapter One. The bunker. Her eyes already adjusted to the darkness, she squinted into the sickly flickering light, scanning the faces crowding past her for anyone familiar. No-one. She let herself be carried along with the tide of people, bustling through the narrow concrete corridor with no end in sight. Airlock doors occasionally passed on their left and right, sunk into the dank walls. She strained her neck to look above the stream of people to what was ahead. Nothing. To read the previous chapters and to submit your entry visit http://www.thegreenstory.co.uk