So, we’re here. Finally. This is blog post number 1000!
(I warn you now, this post is a big one. But only because of all the free and discounted stuff I’m giving away!)
First off, thanks to all who’ve dropped by here to read, and an extra special thanks to those who’ve come back. I honestly wouldn’t have kept at this were it not for you.
So, to celebrate…
This blog, as far as I’m concerned has always been about two things: me burbling on about things I find interesting, and trying to spread the word about good books and fiction and stuff.
So, here’s what I would like you to do. Over this week, I’d like you to recommend a book/arts/writer’s blog here. Put it in the comments with a link so people can see and visit (and they’ll see your blogs too, of course).
And what do you get for doing this? I’ll tell you what. You’ll get the chance to win a signed copy of one of my books. Either my children’s one, ‘I Met a Roman Last Night, What Did You Do?‘ or my short story collection, ‘Not So Perfect‘. I’ll pop names into a tin and pick them out at random (ie when I feel the urge). There will be five winners and I’ll write whatever those winners would like me to in their books.
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In my other job, I edit and give feedback on short stories. This usually costs £45. If you send in a story and include the passcode ‘1000’ I’ll do it for £25 (limited to the first 10, with the first one being FREE).
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And here’s a first (well, two firsts, actually!). I never post my own stories here, but as today’s a little bit special I’ve decided to make an exception (well, two exceptions!).
Here’s a never seen before story. And it’s a love story. I think it’s the only love story I’ve ever written and it feels kind of appropriate.
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So, what are you waiting for?
Once again, a really heartfelt THANK YOU for reading and for your support. It means an awful, awful lot.
Looking forward to your blog suggestions.
Much love, thanks and appreciation,
Nik.
Brilliant story! Funny and touching. I already have your book so I'll leave it to others to win, but my blog suggestion anyway is http://www.makingeggs.blogspot.com/ I see you already follow her but maybe others don't…so Emily McPhilips is my recommendation, she's wonderful! (I'll stop singing her praises now/acting like a loony, if you're reading this Emily)x
Congratulations for the three-figure number, Nik! Many more, please – I always enjoy stopping by to read. Keep doing what you're doing. And thanks for the special treats! Reading the never seen before story made me want to call a taxi… 😉
Great story, Nik, and happy celebrations! 1,000th blog entry – wow. Here's to the next 1,000.My blog recommendation is http://womenrulewriter.blogspot.com/ written by Nuala Ni Chonchuir, an Irish writer (author of "You") who's always generous with recommendations and reminders regarding writing contests and other opportunities to improve our craft.
Thanks Kathryn! Yip, I know her well. She's cool!
Thanks Miss Neat!
Thanks Sarah! You've been around since the beginning, I think – so you're extra cool and lovely! x
Yes, but I've only managed a miserly 329 blog posts, unlike you, birthday boy.
Only because you don't waffle as much as I do!
Love that story, you old romantic, you! I have to recommend Emma Darwin's blog, she has so much sensible and clever advice on there. http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/
Congrats Nik! I recommend:eight cuts, http://eightcuts.com/. eight cuts exists to champion extraordinary literature from people you may never have been given the chance to encounter, be it a single poem, a performance or a body of novels. Kaffe in Katmandu, http://kaffeinkatmandu.tumblr.com/.there’s nothing like kaffe in katmandu. you probably never went to katmandu, did you. katmandu is the place shipwrecked penguins dream of. the kaffe is the place where our members hang out and post what they find what they channel what they make. Hope you enjoy both, they are great sites. Will now read your story.Best Andy
Hi Nick and congratuations!Please put me in the hat with my recommendation for http://www.sarahduncansblog.blogspot.com/Sarah is a best-selling author of commercial fiction. She was also my writing teacher and her tips for novelists (of any genre) are all absolutely ace.Here's to the next 1000!Alib
Claire – it's true! Spread the word… 😉
Andy – thank you! They're both new to me so I'll definitely be checking them out!
Thanks AliB! Looking forward to having a nosy at your recommendations!
congratulations nik! love the story, as ever.i doubt there are any blogs i read you dont already know about!
Smashing story and congratulations.Blog worth a gander:The Psychopathology of everyday lifehttp://adrianmckinty.blogspot.com/
A sort of ordinary love story – it's absolutely gorgeous. Wish you'd post more of these online. Course then, I wouldn't have to buy your next book! :)As for blog recommendations, I always find Candy Gourlay http://candygourlay.blogspot.com/ and Kathryn Evans http://mrsbung.wordpress.com/touching and honest.
I love Katie Sokoler's blog Color Me Katie http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/She's an artist who takes amazing photos, sees the funny side of life and is part of Improv Everywhere, a funny art/acting collective stateside.Her blog will definitely brighten your day!
Congratulations, Happy 1000th post day. Always a pleasure to read.The blog I would suggest is Sunset over Slawit by my mate Rol Hirst. It's subject matter is a mix of music, writing, and life – which is really everything important in this world.
Loved the story and congratulations on your thousandth post!I recommend Rachel Fenton's blog, Snow Like I Thought. Rachel is both a writer and an artist and is very inspiring :)http://snowlikethought.blogspot.com/
Aw! Love that story, Nik!I second Sarah Duncan's blog and also add Nicola Morgan's: http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com.
Love your story. Sarah Salway's website is great but you have a link already – http://www.sarahsalway.net/So I'll add Tania Hershman's blog especially because she is so generous with information about journals, competitions etc.http://www.titaniawrites.blogspot.com/
Happy 1000th Mister. Love this story very much x
Thanks, Angela. You never know – plus other people might not have heard of some. Don't be shy now!
Thanks Paul – cool!
Hey Bryony! Lovely to see you here, as ever!Thank you – you're very kind. And thanks for the recommendations too!
Hi Katie! Ace! Thanks!
Thanks Dan! I'll take a look (don't suppose you have a link to hand, do you…?)
Hey Sofluid! Thank you! I LOVE Rachel's blog and I'm sure others will too!
Thanks Talli! Weill definitely check it out. And yes, we know ALL about Nicola and her super fab blog!
Hey Downwith! Thanks for those (yep, Sarah's is ace – I've been reading that for YEARS!).
Thanks Cas! You flatterer, you! x
Happy millenium, Nik – and a great story to celebrate it. Congrats.My recommendation is for Valerie O'Riordan's blog – Not Exactly True – just a generally lovely and talented writerly person.
Congrats on number 1000, Nik…nice, round number that. I'll look forward to many more from your pen.My blog suggestion is one that always makes me smile. It involves little snippets of conversation from a married couple (as seen from the wife's point-of-view). The Class Factotum Speakshttp://class-factotum.blogspot.com/
Cool story Nik, brought a smile to my face and I guess there are always new taxis so never without a new place for that kiss, nice !I'd recommend Inkhaven http://inkhaven.blogspot.com/, Annie writes some great stuff about her local area down in Brighton, I'm always hit with a tinge of the green eye when I read about her ventures along the beach.Congratulations on the 1000th.All the bestSteve
Congratulations Nik! I love your blog and I love your writing, and your new story was so lovely. Thank you for sharing that.Here are a few interesting blogs from other writers who, like me, are just starting out on the path to getting published:http://witchwayblogspotcom.blogspot.com/http://wanderingloulou.wordpress.com/http://sindhuwriting.blogspot.com/http://pasttheperiphery.wordpress.com/
Martin! Hello! And thank you. Oh Val's a tippety-top lady with a tippety-top blog. We like her here a lot!
Hey Sam – thanks! I'll definitely check that out, it sounds great!
Steve – thanks for dropping in and for the good wishes and recommendation – I'll check it out very soon.Thanks again!
Ratherlovely – what a rather lovely set of recommendations! Thank you!
I've had a look through the recommendations by other contributors and added links on my blog so I can keep abreast of their things, don't mean to "Nik" your ideas but what a great idea Nik.Steve
Steve – that's brilliant and that's exactly what I was hoping for! Sharing's good!(I'd also point you towards my blogroll – lot's of great places there…)
beautiful story! i love the last line- and congratulations on the anniversary of your blog :)recommended blog: Tania Hershmanhttp://www.titaniawrites.blogspot.com/
Ooops forgot the link. Here you go – http://rolhirst.blogspot.com/
Lovely story, Nik!Congratulations on the big 1,000! Not only are you a brilliant writer yourself, but you're so supportive to other writers – so thank you for that.The blog I recommend is Alison Wells: http://www.alisonwells.wordpress.com
Thanks so much, Nora!
You're a star, Dan – thanks!
Thanks so much Clodagh! That's a lovely thing to hear (others would disagree though, sadly!).Love Alison's blog – that's one I'd recommend too!
Woah!!Amazing story. I may need to call a cab. Don't tell my husband.Congratulations on a thousand, Nik!m x
ps lovely Annie's blog -http://forgettingthetime.blogspot.com/
Your secret's safe with me, Megan! And yes! Annie's fab!
Congratulations, Nik!And thanks, Martin, for the plug! If anyone hasn't seen Martin's own blog, check him out at http://wordedvaguely.blogspot.com/I'm also going to suggest Claire King's blog – Claire's just signed with Bloomsbury and her posts are great explorations of the writing process. And she's lovely!http://www.claire-king.com/
Hi Nik, another blog I find very funny is http://kludgespot.blogspot.com/ Kludge is running a Man Week series at the minute, kind of retort to International Women's Day last week, it's very funny and Kludge always makes me laugh, always worth a visit to put a smile on your face 🙂
Thanks Val!And, oh yes, great suggestions!
Thanks Steve!
First off, congratulations on the 1000th post Nik. That's a pretty major achievement. I look forward to the next 1000 :).Secondly, thanks for sharing one of your 'never seen before' stories with us. It was a real pleasure to read it, and not a little warming on a chilly afternoon up here in Scotland.WarmestRob
Hey Rob – thanks for dropping by. Always a pleasure to see you here.Thanks too for the congrats and the good wishes! And I'm glad you enjoyed the little story!Nik
Hey there Ace (!)Might I recommend Who The Fudge Is Benjamin Judge? by my talented Ask Ben & Clare co-author. He is going to be well famous one day, innit: http://benjaminjudge.com/ I also always enjoy reading Emma Jane Unsworth's blog Fall And Fall Again. Her debut novel Hungry, The Stars and Everything is due out in June with Hidden Gem Press. Her blog is here: http://emmajaneunsworth.wordpress.com/Cheerio, Clare (Words & Fixtures)
Nik, congratulations on reaching1000 posts! Wow, what an accomplishment. Love your story – sweet! I'd like to plug my own blog which you may have visited: http://oceanbluepress.com where I post short stories twice weekly. Check it out if you have a chance in between the next thousand! :0)
Two fine blogs there, Ace! 😉
Thanks ML!
Hello Nik! Firstly, I absolutely flaming love that story. But then, I don't think you could write a story I don't like. You know I adore your work. You say to recomment a book/arts/writer's blog, and be in with a chance of winning a signed copy of one of your books. Well, don't worry about entering me into getting a book, but I still want to pop by and make a recommendation or too. & I'm sorry I haven't earlier. & I am sorry if any of these are doubles. Firstly, Nicola's blog. I've learned SO much from Nicola, who is the loveliest of Crabbit's. http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/Next, D.J. Kirkby's blog. She is lovely and I enjoy her posts, especially the wednesday *snerk*http://djkirkby.co.uk/blog/Now my friend Leslie's. She is fab and shares lots of writing, which rocks. http://moondustwriter.com/Another friend, Kath. The Nut Press is fantastichttp://nutpress.co.uk/And I just have to recommend your own, Nik. I always enjoy reading your posts, and you are lovely!http://nikperring.blogspot.com/But that's just a small sample. There are so many blogs out there, and I do recommend making new friends, reading reviews and interviews etc through blogging, but also there's SO much writing advice, for example, with help I need a publisher and How Publishing Really Works, and I've learned no end. But I love having my own blog too. Catt x
Great blog. Great story. I have your book, Not So Perfect – which totally is perfect of course – but I'm sure you've heard that a lot. My recommendation goes to the fabulous Sally Quilford http://sallyquilfordblog.co.uk/because she's real, a proper writer who goes through it and blogs about it. She shares her highs and her lows and talks with brutal honesty about how she feels and when it's good and when it's bad. There's nothing pretentious about Sally and she's been a great inspiration over the years. Her writing competition calendar is fabulous and I've managed to even win the odd one or two. There are many other fabulous blogs that I follow – many of them above and I could say great things about them all. One of the greatest things about writers is that they share, encourage and inspire everyone around them. It might be a great big competition but the writers I know and network with share. And that's one of the greatest things of all. Thank you.
Love the story, Nik! It's wonderfully romantic. I'm a bit late with this, but these are ace blogs:First, Pacing the Panic Room, which has stories and pictures and life and heart (http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/)Next, the delightful Creating Wings (http://creatingwings.com/)And also Kristen at kramblings, who always has great reading recommendations (http://kramblings.blogspot.com/) Happy 1000! xo
Hi Nik,sorry for being about a billion tinterweb lifetimes late but I wanted to tell you how simply, honestly touchingly lovely your story is. Congratulations for it and your 1000th, and all the fab things that will find you anon.http://therainbownotebook.blogspot.com/ is a blog I try never to miss – Andrea is a young kiwi writer I've followed since before her first publication, who always blogs about something which inspires me.And thanks to Sofluid's Michelle for giving me a mention! Her blogs ace, too.Better late than never, eh?
So sorry – it looks like a few replied didn't get through for some reason!Thank you Catt! Great recommendations!N x
And thanks Effie!
Francesca – thank you!
And thank you Rachel – that's an ace thing to hear – and I second the recommendation for your blog too!