If you
would like to be informed whenever this section of the JBWB website
is significantly updated, simply send an e-mail to doug@jbwb.co.uk
with 'UPDATE' as the subject.
I'm sorry to announce that, for a variety of reasons, the
JBWB Competition is going into temporary hibernation. Following
the sad, sad loss of Jenny Hewitt, the Bureau has had to regroup,
and I'm afraid that this process is taking longer than expected.
The Competition will be reinstated at some stage,
in a slightly different format, to be announced closer to the time,
but it will become a tribute, a memorial to Jenny, and I hope it
will return to its former glory, and possibly exceed it.
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you who have been
so supportive during these past few sad and empty months. Without
you - and your writing - life would have been intolerable.
Doug Watts
If you feel you need some professional input on your writing,
let us take a look. (Check out our Frequently
Asked Questions.) So that you can see for yourself the high
quality and level of professionalism offered by Jacqui Bennett Writers
Bureau, we offer a way in which you can benefit from our services,
free of charge and with no obligation.
Why not e-mail
the opening paragraphs of your novel (max
300 words - as a Microsoft Word attachment only) for free constructive
comment and critique?(NO POETRY PLEASE.)
Print Express Children's Story Competition
PrintExpress are running a competition for kids aged 13 and
under. If you're a keen short story writer, we want to hear from
you - and you could win £150 in Amazon vouchers. Deadline: 30th
June, 2012 Full details on website.
The Biographers' Club Tony Lothian Prize
The £2,000 Tony Lothian Prize (sponsored by her
daughter, Elizabeth, Duchess of Buccleuch) supports un-commissioned
first-time writers working on a biography. Applicants should submit
a proposal of no more than 20 pages, including a synopsis and 10-page
sample chapter (double-spaced, numbered pages). Deadline: 1 August
2012. Entry fee: £10. Full details on The
Biographers' Club website.
Blue Mountain Press
Blue Mountain Press, the book division of Blue
Mountain Arts, publish in the following categories: self-help,
personal growth, gift books, poetry, young adult, teen/tween, family,
and relationships. The majority of the material is positive, uplifting,
or inspiring, and it is always highly original. Based in the states,
they do accept manuscripts from international authors. Blue Mountain
Press, P.O. Box 4219, Boulder, CO 80306. Request writer's guidelines
or e-mail queries to BMPbooks@sps.com.
Novelicious
Novelicious Undiscovered invites aspiring commercial
women's fiction writers to submit the first 3000 words of their
novel before April 3. The top twenty entries, as chosen by the Novelicious.com
team, will be showcased on the site during May and put to a public
vote in June. From these top twenty entries two winners will be
chosen. Full details on website.
Words with JAM First
Page Competition
Looking for the most gripping, read-on-able first
page of up to 400 words. Any genre. Prizes: £500, £100, £50. Closing
Date: 8th June 2012. Entry Fee: £6 for one entry; £10 for two. Full
details on website.
The Fiction Shelf
The Fiction Shelf - an entertainment site for readers
and writers. Short Stories (max 12,000 words) and Poetry of any
length wanted for publication on an ambitious web site that aims
to feature the best modern fiction and poetry for the modern reader
in multiple formats. Open to new and established writers and accepting
work previously published elsewhere. www.thefictionshelf.com/submit
for submission guidelines. Website
with an annual printed anthology.
The 2012 Pint-sized Plays Writing Competition
A premier international competition for short
plays, Pint-sized Plays is your opportunity to
show just how imaginative and original you can be. Website:
http://www.pintsizedplays.org.uk
Thames River Press
A new imprint seeking properly edited submissions
for multiple novel contracts (three to four novels) per writer.
The writer should preferably have been previously published. Quality
writing only. Genres: Romance, Thrillers, Fantasy, Young Adult,
Erotica - Henry Miller, Olympia Press, or those of the Paris crowd
of intellectual writers of the 1950s. Website: www.thamesriverpress.com.
The Washington Pastime
An international publication located in the Washington
DC Metropolitan area, The
Washington Pastime was founded as an electronic and print
publication committed to publishing the best in literary and genre
fiction, as well as some non-fiction.
My-Publisher.Com
My-Publisher.Com The quick, easy and cost-free
way to see your poetry in print. Read the details on each page.
Up to three poems per subject. Website: http://www.my-publishers.com/index.html
OpenMicVoices.com
OpenMicVoices.com
is a social network, for poets and people who enjoy poetry. Showcase
your talent - add photos, audio and video, as well. Competitions.
The Westport Writers' Workshop
Sign
up for their monthly newsletter with news of the WWW Community,
writing wisdom, prompts, and announcements of upcoming events.
Fur-Lined Ghettos
Fur-Lined Ghettos is a new magazine aiming to publish
poetry, prose, and the occasional short story. Always after good
writing regardless of genre. Details on website.
Éclat Fiction
Éclat Fiction
aims to create an ambitious and enjoyable publication that showcases
nascent writing talent. Competition every 2 months; 8 best short
stories published in anthology. The top 3 stories will receive a
monetary prize as well as publication. Website: http://www.eclatfiction.com/home.html
The Horror Zine
The Horror Zine accepts submissions of fiction,
poetry, and art from morbidly creative people. A "4 the luv" market,
but privileged to publish some pretty famous people. See website.
Shortbread Stories
Shortbread is an online community of short story readers
and writers. It's free to join. Joining gives you the ability to
read, listen and download stories online, participate in the community
and if you're an author, showcase your work and enter short story
writing competitions. Try their website.
Now here's a chance for all you aspiring writers of children's
fiction (and other genres, of course) to see how it's done - and then
to get in there and do it yourself. If you haven't already looked at
HarperCollins Authonomy
website, then seize the moment. Take your time, investigate what's on
offer, and while you're there, be sure to look for Strata
by Katherine Edwards. See what wonderful things people are saying about
this talented author. Then, explore further, and visit Katherine's highly
inventive blog The
Britbok Chronicles. Get to know her, leave a comment or two or three
- if you appreciate real talent, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Irish Pages
Irish Pages is a biannual journal, edited in Belfast and publishing,
in equal measure, writing from Ireland and overseas. Its policy is to
publish poetry, short fiction, essays, creative non-fiction, memoir,
essay reviews, nature-writing, translated work, literary journalism,
and other autobiographical, historical, religious and scientific writing
of literary distinction. There are no standard reviews or narrowly academic
articles. http://www.irishpages.org/
The ONLY magazine of
its type on the market today. Lists details of current UK and Overseas
writing competitions - and there are more than you think! Up to £250,000
of prize money in each issue. POETRY - SHORT STORIES - ANTHOLOGIES -
PLAYS - NOVELS - NON-FICTION. Compiled and edited
by Carole Baldock.
Subscribe to any number of issues @ £3 each UK postpaid, largely
offset by savings on postage (around 70p each time) because several
entry forms are usually enclosed, which also saves time and effort.
Save even more - £3 off, if payment for new subs
or renewals received by January 31; old rates still apply: £15/6..
Write to Carole Baldock, 17 Greenhow Avenue, West Kirby, Wirral CH48
5EL, stating how many issues of Competitions Bulletin you'd like
at £3 per issue. (Also, please state which month - Competitions
Bulletin is published in: January, March, May, July, September,
November.) Enclose Cheque/PO payable to Carole Baldock - and don't forget
to include your name and address. Queries: baldock.carole@googlemail.com.
Website: http://www.kudoswritingcompetitions.com
Sword & Saga Press
Sword & Saga Presspublish
both professional and new writers in a variety of speculative fiction
genres, and seek vivid, creative works of fiction and poetry.Submission details HERE.
Riptide
New short fiction by both established and emerging writers.
We are committed to providing a forum for high quality, innovative fiction,
expanding the readership of the short story genre and enhancing its
standing. We invite work by prominent authors who believe in the continuing
importance of the short story, but we aim to include new voices in every
issue. Details: http://www.riptidejournal.co.uk
Flame Lily Books
Flame Lily Books is now accepting submissions from unpublished
writers. Of particular interest are new and different books aimed at
children and early teens. Details: http://www.flamelilybooks.co.uk
Writing Raw
Writing Raw is a literary ezine dedicated to new
and emerging writers. Explore what’s on offer at http://www.writingraw.com
Meet Gerhard Heinzelmann, a German who lives in England, in
Gravesend, Kent. This is how he describes himself: ‘I am an artist
and if I am not writing or painting, I live in the other reality, the
world of dreams that gives me the inspiration to be creative.’
Wonderful. Visit
his website and try his book…
A small press publishing house for teen fiction in the form
of annual anthologies. Submissions for full length novels for teens
and young adults are also required. Free flash fiction competition,
short story competition. Details: www.wyvernpublications.com
The Ghosts of
Eden by Andrew J H Sharp
The
Ghosts of Eden is a cross-cultural, cross-racial
love story with a spectacular East African setting. Andrew J
H Sharp has created a superb read, not to be missed.Highly recommended.
Writing4all
Writing4all is a creative writing community
with an ongoing monthly competition, where Irish writers can share and
develop their work. Website: www.writing4all.ie
100 Words or Fewer Writing Contest
First Prize $500, Second Prize $200, Third Prize $100. Fee
for each entry is $15.00, through Paypal. Feedback available for an
extra $25.00. Details: http://www.100wordsorfewerwritingcontest.com
Dog Oil Press
Dog Oil Press is now accepting short works of
dark/black humour (fiction, non-fiction, poetry) of 981 words or less.
The fee for published pieces is $10 (payable only by PayPal) for first
rights, as well as the right to archive the piece at the Web site. More
details in the FAQ: http://www.dogoilpress.com/2009/01/faq-dog-oil-press.html
Spread the Word
Spread the Word works with London writers at all stages of
their careers to help them achieve their full potential. They provide
a dynamic range of services and opportunities for all levels, including
advice and information, networking, mentoring, events and work in the
community. Website HERE.
Gold Dust magazine
Gold Dust magazine is 50 pages of quality writing,
including short stories, poems, articles, interviews and reviews. Two
issues a year. Gold Dust is run as an on-going competition, with a small
entry fee for submitting work and cash prizes for all published poetry
and prose. Every issue, the best poem and the best short story each
win £20 first prize. All other published stories and poems are
awarded a £6 runner-up prize. Website: http://www.golddustmagazine.co.uk
The Yellow Room
The Yellow Room is a bi-annual literary magazine publishing
quality fiction by women writers residing in the UK. Each issue features
around 12 short stories, a lively readers’ letters page and articles
of interest to women writers. The magazine is professionally presented
in A5 format with a two-colour glossy perfect bound cover. Website (a
place where women writers can gather together for support, encouragement
and friendship) and submission guidelines: www.theyellowroom-magazine.co.uk
Txt Lit
Txt Lit is a new literary genre of creative writing using a
mobile phone texting system, or SMS (Short Message System). A single
mobile phone text message contains just 160 characters, including
spaces and punctuation.Each entry costs £1 plus
the normal cost of a text message as charged by your network provider.
You can enter each competition as many times as you like. First prize:
at least £50. Competitions every month. More
details on website at http://www.txtlit.co.uk
Gwilym Williams
Gwilym Williams (see Poetry
section of the JBWB website) now has his own highly readable blog. Even
if you're only remotely interested in poetry, pay Gwil and his friends
a visit - and enjoy. You can find the blog HERE.
Daughter of Prophecy (Bron)
by Iris Lloyd
Congratulations to Iris Lloyd, whose new book
(the first in a series of wonderfully accomplished historical novels)
is now published and available from Amazon.
Gripping, insightful, funny and inspiring - unreservedly recommended.
Featureworld
Sell your Story with Featureworld.co.uk,
your online media agent. Up to £6000 paid. Have you experienced
a life-changing event? Beaten an illness? Blossomed after divorce? Found
love? Want to expose a love-rat or cheat? Ever read a real life story
in a national newspaper or women's magazine and thought 'That could be
me.' Perhaps you dream of selling your life story and becoming famous.
or being on TV? But maybe you're nervous about selling your story to a
national newspaper or women's magazine yourself or through a big impersonal
news agency? Featureworld
is the place for you.
Writing
for Children
Pamela
Cleaver's wonderful book.
You can learn much more
about Pamela by visiting
her website - and while you're there, check out her excellent page
of writing
tips for children's writers.Sadly, Pam died
suddenly on 23rd November, 2005. We miss her...
Congratulations to JBWB clients Shelia
Crosby and Gail Crane whose short stories will be published this
summer in two major UK magazines - Sheila's in Yours magazine
and Gail's in The People's Friend.
Hey, Mr Big!
Jamie Gasking, aged 11, died in an accident at
the Falls of Bruar in Perthshire, Scotland on 11th of July 2003. Since
then, much of David Gasking's time - Jamie's father - has been filled
with the production of a 'very different' kind of book, Hey, Mr
Big! All proceeds go to The Jamie Fund to improve facilities for
young people in and around Jamie's home village of Carr-Bridge in the
North of Scotland. You can find more details on the Mr Big website at
www.mr-big.ik.com
. Please visit the website - or you can buy Hey, Mr Big!
directly from Amazon
by clicking on the cover above. Check on David's fund-raising progress
so far by visiting the Highlands & Islands Arts Journal website,
HERE.
Vintage Romance Publishing
Vintage Romance Publishing, a US publisher of
nostalgic romances, is proud to announce the release of its very first
print novel. Written by Dawn Carrington, a multi-published author
of fantasy and paranormal romance, Thirty Days Late depicts a historical
romance set in 1933 Virginia. It is available online at www.vrpublishing.com
, barnesandnoble.com, and booksamillion.com and will soon be available
in national book stores.
Highlands & Islands Arts Journal
Writing can be a lonely business, particularly
in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland - that's where the online
Highlands & Islands Arts Journal comes in. Find all you need to
know about forthcoming writing- and other arts-linked events at http://www.hi-arts.co.uk
- highly recommended website.
Highly recommended by Gwil
Williams: 'It's a super thing, written in English, with over
200 pages in a glossy artwork cover and contains a variety of poems
from many poets ranging from Martin Anderson to Vassilis Zambaras, translations
ranging from Emanuele Bettini to Motokiyo Teami and several miscellaneous
pieces of prose. The website is www.poetrysalzburg.com/psr
Postal address is Poetry Salzburg Review, Dept. English and American
Studies,University of Salzburg, Akademiestr. 24, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.
Potential contributors would do well to read a copy of the new-look
Poetry Salzburg
Review before sending in their material to get an impression of
what's required.'
The Society of Authors' Prizes (for published
or unpublished authors):
Tom-Gallon Award for a short story. Eric Gregory Awards for
poets under 30. McKitterick Prize for first-time novelists over 40.
Betty Trask Prize for first-time novelists under 35. Details and entry
forms from website: www.societyofauthors.org
or email: info@societyofauthors.orgor send SAE to Awards Secretary, Society of Authors,
84 Dravton Gardens, London SW10 9SB.
An online writer's group for 'people-of-colour'
- a place to share experiences, thoughts, ideas and work. Visit by clicking
HERE.
Sound of Battle
Alan O'Reilly's Sound of Battle tells a compelling
story that will appeal to readers of historical fiction for its fast-pace,
riveting detail, and deep characterizations. But, more, O'Reilly's underlying
theme of how war tests the faith of even the most gung-ho of soldiers
in the most justifiable of wars will ring true today. No matter which
side one aligns oneself with, hawk or dove, Sound of Battle will
leave the reader to thoughtfully question whether there are any winners
once the war is over. Read more at Amazon.co.uk
or (in the US) http://www.llumina.com/store/soundofbattle.htm
Snowbooks
Snowbooks is a new, exciting publishing company
based in London who have set out to challenge and improve the way publishing
works, by treating authors equitably and by aiming to make a real, valuable
contribution to the process of getting a book from the author to the
reader. Check out all they have to offer at www.snowbooks.com
Chance to write (and do other things) for the
BBC
WRITERSROOM
- The BBC's online resource for writing for television, radio and film.
The Historical Novel Society has named Jacqui Bennett Writers Bureau
its critique and editorial service of choice. Together, we make an unbeatable
team for new writers of historical fiction. If your work shows real
promise, JBWB will pass the manuscript to the Historical Novel Society
for a second reading. Then, if the HNS agree with the assessment, they
promise to recommend it to suitable agents and/or publishers – at no
additional cost. Find out more about JBWB's editorial services HERE
UKAuthors was initially launched in January 2002 by
Richard Harris and Andrea Lowne as a free, UK-based
website on which writers and poets could publish their work and
receive ratings, comments and feedback, and read and comment on the
work of their fellow-members. UKA also features a hugely popular Chatroom
where members meet to discuss their work (and other things!), a Discussion
Forum section, polls, Shoutbox (members can leave messages to each other
on the front page of the site), internal personal messages, ratings
and comment facilities, a Random Story button and numerous other serious
and fun gizmos to play with. There is also an extensive resource directory
containing (mainly) UK competitions, markets, news, publishers, books,
agents, small presses and much more. UKA is in the process of publishing
its first prose and poetry anthology Voices from the Web, containing
work by UKA members, and plans to make the anthology an annual event.
Visit UKAuthors by CLICKING
HERE
Mslexia
No other magazine provides Mslexia's unique mix of
debate and analysis, advice and inspiration; news, reviews, interviews;
competitions, events, courses, grants. All served up with a challenging
selection of new poetry and prose. Mslexia is read by top authors and
absolute beginners. A quarterly masterclass in the business and psychology
of writing, it's the essential magazine for women who write. Mslexia,
PO Box 656, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1PZ; tel: 0191 261 6656; e-mail:
postbag@mslexia.demon.co.uk;
website: www.mslexia.co.uk
Solent News and and Photo Agency
Got a story? Think it might make a national paper or maybe a women's
magazine? Get in touch! Solent
News will give you an honest opinion. If they like the story, they
pay top rates. Ring in confidence, or email.
Based in Hampshire, England, and established since the 1960s, their
team of reporters, photographers and feature writers produce top quality
work for the UK and world media market. Website: http://www.solentnews.biz/
ANDREA
SEMPLE
Published
author Andrea Semple has an excellent
website with loads of help and resources for writers, all of it
presented in a humorous yet extremely lucid way. Sign
up now for Andrea's 'Writing Tips' monthly newsletter.
Scriptwriters, take note:
Complicated Productions Theatre Companyhttp://www.complicatedproductions.co.uk/
Operates across the south east of England, this company aims to produce
intimate drama and comedy with the emphasis upon new writing. Read about
its current production.
If you're writing - or
merely interested in - Historical Fiction, you can't do better than
join the Historical Novel Society. For full details, see the
HNS
website
New Low
Price : Jacqui's book 'From Start to Finish'
The
entire book From Start to Finish is now available to download
for just £3.00, combined with an extra special and UNMISSABLE
FREE OFFER.
The Scottish Poetry Library's project to expand European
poetry collections and information resources, both in native languages
and in translation, is well worth a look at. Since its foundation in
1984, the library has amassed an impressive collection of written works,
as well as tapes and videos. Although the emphasis is on 20th-century
poetry written in Scotland, in Scots, Gaelic and English, historic Scottish
poetry and contemporary works from almost every part of the world feature
too. The library is a registered charity, so all its resources, advice
and information are accessible, free of charge. Scottish Poetry Library,
5 Crichton's Close, Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DT; tel: 0131 557 2876;
fax: 0131557 8393; e-mail: inquiries@spl.org.uk;
website: www.spl.org.uk
Congratulations to my client Liz Hinds, whose new book A Cop
for Christ is heading for the top of Hodder's Christian bestsellers
list. This title tells the dramatic true life story of Mike DiSanza,
from his tough childhood among the gangs of New York, through 20 gritty
years with the NYPD and his astonishing ministry.'An amazing
true story of a New York Cop: powerful stuff!'
You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy this superb
book - find out more by clicking on the cover or HERE
Soho
Press
Soho Press (http://www.sohopress.com)
is a US publisher of hardbacks and paperbacks covering a wide range
of genres: literary fiction, thrillers, mysteries, adventure, historical,
or feminist. Setting can be the USA or anywhere in the world. It also
handles non-fiction in the form of travel, autobiography, and biography.
Recent titles have, for instance, included a tale of hitchhiking round
Japan. Juris Jurjevics, publisher/editor-in-chief, prefers complete
manuscripts for fiction submissions, outline and sample chapters for
non-fiction. Two book series are also featured: Hera, historical fiction
reprints with powerful female characters; and Soho Crime, mysteries
with overseas settings (including the British Isles). Completed manuscripts
should be 60,000 words or more. Competition, however, is steep. Soho
gets some 7,000 submissions a year and publishes only 40 of them. Nevertheless,
it places a high priority on unsolicited manuscripts; agents are not
required. Write to Soho Press at 853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Be sure to enclose enough postage (IRCs) for the return of any materials.
Now Available:
Jacqui's book 'From Start to Finish'
After 33 issues as a
poetry magazine, four issues as an 'occasional arts journal' and a few
years gap. Stride Magazine has a new website www.stridemagazine.com
- a gathering of new poetry, short prose, articles, news, and reviews.
The editor, Rupert Loydell, welcomes submissions of four or five poems,
short prose, reviews or articles. Please submit in the body of e-mails
(not attachments) to: submissions@stridemagazine.co.uk
or snail mail with sae to: Stride Magazine, 11 Sylvan Road, Exeter,
Devon EX4 6EW. If in doubt about what to submit, please ask first -
editor@stridemagazine.co.uk
If you're serious about
submitting scripts or ideas to the BBC, this is the resource for you.
There's also plenty of general advice for writers, if you take time
to glean the words carefully. Visit the BBC
Online Writers' Room.
Copyright
(c) 1998-2019 Jacqui Bennett Writers Bureau
Jacqui
Bennett Writers Bureau, 87 Home Orchard, Yate, South Gloucestershire BS37
5XH