Getting Published isn't easy! but you've just taken the first step by finding the best creative writing community on the web!
We're all about helping each other with publishing short stories, poems and articles and ... getting them paid for!
We do this by publishing our work in progress on the Arena area of the site where other members comment and star rate our efforts.
When our short stories, poems, book chapters or articles get SPOTLIGHTED we can then submit to the RESOURCE section of the site. Selected submissions are published and paid for.
The RESOURCES give us up to date information on paying markets for our short fiction, poetry and articles.
They also list current creative writing competitions including poetry contests, short story contests and non-fiction contests. Many of these also offer publication either on the web or in print.
Mustn't forget our terrific Events Diary listing which has around 20 UK events added on a monthly basis, taking place 6 months ahead so you can get your pitches before editors well before hand.
Oh and did I tell you about the Forums? Our members come from all over the globe and you can chat about a whole range of writing issues and some off-topic subjects too! A great way to get front line help and make new friends too.
Register now as a WRITER to join in all our community activities including full access to the Arena where you can publish your short stories, poems, articles and book chapters for review and critique.
To join us just click the Join The Writelink Community banner at the top of the page and select the WRITER option.
Alternatively, is you'd like to look around first, Register as a READER to explore our community at reader level.
Hope you'll stay around and join the other published authors on the site!
Sue Kendrick
Editor, Writelink
SHIVERY GOINGS ON AT MAWGAN’S MILL PROVE A WINNER FOR DENA
This watery flash fiction contest certainly tested the mettle of our members, but as usual you all rose to the occasion with some superb submissions as you’ll see from our adjudicator, Linda Daunter’s report.
Congratulations to Dena who stemmed a flood of challengers with Mawgan’s Mill.
River Shivers Result – Adjudicator, Linda Daunter
This competition certainly produced plenty of shivers. They were mostly of horror (what gruesome imaginations some Writelinkers have!) but I also enjoyed shivers of delight caused by some excellent writing, and a few chuckles at unexpected flashes of humour.
Not all entries featured rivers, but as the rules asked for ‘a watery yarn with a supernatural or fantasy element’ I did not penalise tales about water in ponds, lakes, seas, wells, a witch’s cauldron and even a car radiator!
But, talking of rules …
The first rule of any competition is to read the rules – carefully. River Shivers called for flash fiction with a maximum word count of 250 so, unfortunately, I began the judging process by disqualifying a poem and two stories that were over the word limit.
On my first reading, I rejected a few entries that lacked the required supernatural or fantasy element. Others failed to reach the short list because they seemed like extracts from longer works. When you only have 250 words to tell a complete story you can’t use them for leisurely introductions or anything that doesn’t move the narrative on.
I overlooked typos, spelling or grammar mistakes when it was obvious what the writer intended, but I deducted marks when I was distracted from a story by writing that didn’t make sense. It really is important to check before submitting!
After much re-reading, I was left with six equal runners-up. The Water God, For the attention of Messrs Billy Goats Gruff, The Witch, The Kelpie, Aqua Culpa, and Revenge is Sweet, were all entertaining and well written.
The winner was Mawgan’s Mill. The plot – a man’s epic struggle against nature, with shivery hints of something otherworldly – could easily have filled a much longer story, but not a word was wasted in the telling of it. Well done!
Winner and all entries can be read here:
http://www.writelink.co.uk/arena_main.php?cat=a_rivershivers
Our next Arena competition is Good Companions calling for poems of 20 lines.
Entries close 10th July.
All details here:
http://www.writelink.co.uk/arena_main.php?cat=a_goodcompanions
GOOD COMPANIONS – Arena Poetry Contest
We all need friends so they say, but what about those fleeting acquaintances which often have a profound effect on our lives?
We meet them in doctors’ surgeries, on trains, at bus stops, at times of emergency. People who seem to come into our lives for a brief time only to disappear and never to be seen or heard of again.
Our latest Arena competition calls for a poem featuring just such an incident and its consequences. Line count should be no more than 20.
There is £20 for the best entry. Closing date, 10th July.
http://www.writelink.co.uk/arena_main.php?cat=a_goodcompanions
RIVER SHIVERS – New Arena flash fiction contest
Water! A fatal attraction for many an unwary soul! Our latest Arena competition calls for a watery yarn with a supernatural or fantasy element! Give your imagination free rein but keep word count to 250 excluding the title.
As usual there will be £20 for the winning entry.
Entries close: 10th June, 2009
Post entries direct to the competition page.
http://www.writelink.co.uk/arena_main.php?cat=a_rivershivers
RHYME THYME – Latest Arena Competition
It’s not what you think! Our latest Arena competition is NOT calling for poems about the passage of hours and minutes, but the stuff that grows in your kitchen garden along with the many other herbs whose usage extends far beyond culinary flavourings.
What we want you to do, is come up with a poem that features a herb, it doesn’t have to be Thyme, you can use any or all common or uncommon herbs. You can explore their culinary attributes or opt for their medical or mystical properties.
The only stipulation is your poem must not exceed 12 lines and needs to rhyme which means you will need to keep a close eye on metre and scanning.
As usual, there will be £20 for the best entry.
Entries close 10th May.
Please post all entries directly to the Arena competition page.
http://www.writelink.co.uk/arena_main.php?cat=a_rhymethyme
THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING! - New Open Song Writing Contest
But are they changing for the better? If you think not here’s you chance to sing out in protest! Our latest open competition is a first for us as we’re dipping our toes into the song writing waters! Doing Dylan picks up the torch of lyrical dissent first raised by the young Pied Piper of Pop of the sixties!
We’re looking for original songs which sing out against social injustice, political corruption, racial bigotry or religious fanaticism!
We’re also interested in sensitive, poetical lyrics mourning lost or unrequited love, offering solace in the dark hours of despair or trumpeting a rallying call for freedom!
We DO NOT want covers, impressions or parody! Take you inspiration from Dylan’s masterpieces, but DON’T dangle at his coat tails!
All songs must be original, but may be collaborative efforts. E.g. if you only write lyrics then it is fine to get a musician to set your work to music and even have a third party sing it for you.
Unlike other contests, all entrants have a fantastic chance of being heard and commented on throughout the duration of the competition as entries are posted directly to our competition site.
Visitors can hear all the songs as they are added, make comments and vote for their favourites.
Entrants are given tools to let all their friends and family know that their song is open for voting and a daily update keeps them informed of how their entry is doing in the ratings.
The site will generate a top 10 shortlist, but final judging will be by human editor who will cherry pick up to 10 other entries.
Doing Dylan isn’t just about expose though, we have cash prizes of £100, £75 & £50 for the winners.
Entries close 31st August, 2009.
http://www.writelink.co.uk/doingdylan
Markets Our markets listings have been compiled by, Sue Kendrick.
All the listings accept freelance submissions and are bona fida paying markets.
All have a web presence and most have on-line writers guidelines.
Competitions Our competition database is continually updated.
All contests are current and offer cash prizes and in many cases publication.
The most recent additions appear on the page but don't forget there are many more in the database!
Just use the search box.
You can also add your own writing contest but please remember, all competitions MUST offer cash prizes.
No prizes in kind, publication only or percentage of entry fees. No listings of contests linking to sites offering adult content!
Events Diary Every month our Events Diary is updated with listings taking place six months ahead.
This is to give you plenty of time to research and pitch ideas for articles to editors who often have a lead time of anywhere between 3-6 months.
This month Maureen Vincent-Northam has compiled our listings.
WORMING CROCODILES
Writers need to face up to their fears if they want to achieve their objectives
By: Wordmate - February 23, 2009
Smile! Please?
Magazine editors love words and pictures with human interest, but if you're new to photography taking photos of strangers can be scary!
By: Linda D - February 18, 2009
WHY I STARTED A DAYTIME CREATIVE WRITING GROUP
You are keen to attend your writing group, but dark, cold evenings deter you from venturing out. Have you thought about starting a daytime group? Read how the seed of an idea came to fruition.
By: maggs - December 7, 2008
Confounded Commas!
Our latest online quiz will soon have you whipping those confounded commas into shape!
Software Software for writers comes in all shapes and sizes.
Sophisticated plotting tools to help you write your novel or packages simply designed to help you organise your files.
Most allow 30 day free trial and some are completely free.
Publishers All the publishers listed here are main stream publishers.Many specialise in different types of books so check their requirements carefully.
The most recent additions to the database are shown on this page but you can also search for a specific genre by using the search box.
WE DO NOT LIST POD OR SELF PUBLISHING COMPANIES
