A Shortlisting, Some Ethics, and a Brilliant Opportunity

Because I edit an awful lot of short stories, I don’t tend to enter competitions (I think I’ve entered two in my whole writing career – one, happily, resulted in this – thank you, Fiction Desk – you can buy the book here). It was a very easy decision to make because, ethically, if I’m helping someone who I know is going to enter a competition then I can’t enter anything myself because then I would be in competition with the very person I’m supposed to be helping and there ends up being (however unintentional) a conflict of interests. As I said, it’s a no brainer.

So, I am very happy that my short story, Carmine’s Fruit, has been shortlisted over at the Artificium Short Story Prize. They do good things over there. Check them out. And it makes me happy, too, that it’s slightly longer than the average Nik Perring story and very much a fairy tale type affair. Congrats to the rest of the shortlistees. I am looking forward to the big announcement.

*

And in other news…

If anyone knows anyone aged 14-19 in South Yorkshire who writes, would like to write, might fancy trying, enjoys words, stories, poems, free verse, spoken word, – anything then do send them this way. All abilities are welcome, of course.

I’ve worked with a couple of these groups, courtesy of Writing Yorkshire, and I’ve seen what happens first hand, and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. The environment’s perfect, the teaching’s spot on, and the groups are fab and the members friendly and talented. (And, shush, I’ll be doing at least a little bit again with them soon too. What’s not to like?)

Do please spread the word.

RYPoster

 

dand

Bunbury

So, since the turn of the year I’ve been working in Rotherham (among other places), for the brilliant Writing Yorkshire, looking after the Young Writers’ Group there when Vicky, who usually runs it, has been off. And I’ve loved it. It’s a top group and super-talented too and, now everyone’s broken up for the summer, I’m really missing it and them (hello, everyone!).

Charlie, one of the group’s members, had a couple of stories accepted while I was working with the group and, you know, that is such a big deal and it’s one of the best bits about doing the job I do (doesn’t do my ego any harm, either, knowing I’ve helped). I remember, very clearly, my first acceptance back in 2003 (I think – okay, maybe I don’t remember it all that clearly). It was a feature on local Arthurian legend and it went in a county magazine and that was the moment I felt validated as a writer – the moment I felt like I really could do it. I think I cried. I know I’ve still got a copy of the cheque framed somewhere. I was in my very early twenties back then, not in my teens. Yes, I’m a bit jealous.

And yesterday Charlie got in touch to let me know that the issue the story’s in has gone live. It’s in Bunbury Magazine (Oscar Wilde reference?) and it’s brilliant, and I’m certainly not just saying that. IT’s the sort of piece that I’d have loved to have received when I’ve judged competitions and edited for places. Go and see for yourselves. Bunbury are doing that cool thing where you pay what you think it’s worth so you’ve no excuse.

And well done, Charlie.

dand