With Spring hopefully not too far away, and restrictions easing, I’m looking forward to the resurrection of local book fairs. The one I attended shortly before Christmas brought to mind my first book signing many years ago. I had no idea what to expect, but my publishers told me everything had been organised with the …
Tag: competitions
Competition winner
Despite everything the gremlins could throw at us, using modern technology we have a winner for our ‘Val’s Tales’ You Tube subscriber’s competition. Yeah! The winner of the paperback by Val Portelli, selected by a random number generator is Drum roll….. Donna Carroll. Congratulations, Donna. Yes, this is England, and yes it is January, and …
Chance Meeting
I enjoy entering short story competitions and this was one selected for publication by an online magazine recently. ‘Excuse me, please, Madam. I look to find Road. You know where is please?’ ‘Let me see dear. Oh yes, I should do. I’ve lived there for nearly fifty years. Was there anyone in particular you …
Beyond the Glass Part 1
This short story was inspired by the photo as a writing prompt for a competition. I hope you enjoy my interpretation. At last. For weeks I had been waiting for an opportunity to explore behind the mirror but there had always been someone around. If it wasn’t nurse fussing with my hair it was Mama …
Star explorer postcard
I love entering short story competitions and find inspiration from hints, comments and photos on social media. This story came about from a writing prompt involving a postcard from a park. I like to give my short stories a different twist so this is what I came up with. From: Star explorer 857 To: Base Hi. …
The Cafe
The inspiration for my short stories can come from anywhere; a chance remark or even a competition where the story has to relate to a prompt word or photograph. I'm delighted to say that The Cafe was a winning entry and has being published online. You can see the original photo which provided the inspiration …
Poor mouse author
The perception of authors is that they must be rich if they can afford not to have a 'proper' job. 😀 The reality is that they enter short story competitions with the aim of winning a few pounds to help towards the cost of the next cartridge for the printer. If there is an entry …
Winning author
Pending the release of my new book ABC Destiny due out in two weeks time, I've been writing various short stories. I found and entered the July short story competition run by Purple Pumpkin Publishing, and guess what? - I won! Not only great publicity for my next book, but I also received a cash prize, …
Voinks 