Romy Gemmell's Blog, page 41

Writing Market: CafeLit

If you write short stories that perhaps don't fit the women's magazine market, you might like to try submitting to CafeLit. Stories up to 3000 words are welcome, including flash fiction length, and a collection of the best stories is published each year. It's worth having a look around their website as they sometimes have other projects on the go.

I was delighted that my daughter, Vikki, had a short story published in the Irish literary online journal, The Bohemyth the other day. Her story, 'Pop Goes the Gun', is the second one down. This might be a good market if you're more concerned with getting your name out there in literary publications, rather than trying to earn an income from writing.

Rosemary

Romantic Interlude

I can't let St Valentine's Day pass by without a mention, since some of my writing is romantic intrigue. Venice is one of my favourite destinations and I still think it's the most romantic - without having to pay a fortune in a gondola ride. The year we stayed there for almost a week, our hotel was near the top of the narrow canal under the Bridge of Sighs.
One evening, I was standing at the open window admiring the view when a gondola whispered past. The gondolier, in his distinctive striped top and beribboned hat, was serenading the occupants. I found it much more romantic being the onlooker to such a scene. With its bridges, canals and labyrinth of narrow streets, Venice was made for intrigue!
A couple of people are offering free downloads today, so it might be an ideal time to stock up on more books, many with a romantic theme. Sally Quilford has a great list of stories on offer so there's bound to be something for everyone. Over on the Minxes of Romance, they're giving away an ebook of eight sexy stories about firemen, appropriately titled Blaze. Enjoy!
I've also posted a short piece about red roses over on the Romancing History blog.
Have a loving day, whether or not it's romantic.Rosemary

Write this Moment

I know of a few people who are seeking more writing opportunities this year, and I'm sure many more are trying to increase their income as freelance writers.

WriteThisMoment is an online subscription based site which provides details of writing jobs and opportunities in the UK and USA, as well as some from other parts of the world. Although annual membership is £24 (for twelve months), you can try it over three months for £8 which seems ideal for testing its worth for your particular needs. I'm about to do exactly that!

Let me know if you've used them before, or how you get on if you decide to sign up.

Rosemary

Gwen's Next Installment

I've had a busy but very enjoyable week so I'm running a little behind. Just want to mention that this is the final day for a free download of the fouth part of Gwen's Laird of Lochandee series, A Maxwell Loss - in case you've been following the absorbing story!

Available free today on amazon.

Rosemary

New Look and Updates

Nearby woods on a wintry walk
As you can see, I've finally taken time to update the blog with a new look. I'm sure there are still a few links to check or add but at least the bulk of it's done. I'd planned to change it for the beginning of January but other work and pleasure intervened. Do you ever have to stop everything else and get a job finished? Fortunately, I completed a little writing first but I'm in catch-up and organising mode today! Since it's very wet and windy here, it's a perfect day for staying in and working.

I've recently started writing web-based non-fiction for the UK division of American online company, Demand Studios. I used to contribute articles a couple of years ago and was delighted to receive an invitation to write for them again. Although I still love writing fiction, I get paid for these fairly quickly and can choose a couple or more titles a week - if the subjects suit me! I also had an article accepted by Scottish Home & Country Magazine - I've contributed there before over the years.

So I guess I've been in more of a non-fiction mood for a week or so, although I'm trying to finish a contemporary novel, and I'm in the middle of judging short stories for a local schools competition sponsored by our writing group. I also managed to write and submit a new children's story, so I don't feel too guilty about taking time out to do some organising. Anyone else in clear-up and update mood?

Rosemary

Writing Market: What the Dickens? Magazine

I'll mention right away that What the Dickens? magazine is not offering any payment at the moment, so it's up to you if it appeals as a writing market. They have a lovely new website and are currently looking for poetry, flash fiction, or short stories up to 2000 words on the theme of  'The Busker'. The deadline for the relevant issue of the magazine is 15th February.

The website offers several other ways for writers and creative people to get involved and it certainly appears to be doing its bit to promote the creative arts. There is even a Get Listed section which is free.

If you want to find out more, have a look at the What the Dickens? website.

Meanwhile, over on Romancing History, I'm celebrating 200 years of my favourite Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice - it includes a link to a short YouTube video section of that famous 1995 BBC drama starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

Rosemary

Snow and Burns

Well, the snow has finally well and truly arrived here at last. We've only had small drifts until today but the back garden is now nicely covered. I know many people are fed up with it all by now, but I love this weather. And it's a great excuse to stay indoors (apart from feeding the birds) and write without guilt. Might even get a short walk later to blow the cobwebs away.


This is Burns Night in Scotland, and it's also celebrated in many parts of the world. I've put a link on the Romancing History blog to the fascinating reconstruction picture of the poet's face, carried out by forensic scientists at the University of Dundee. A little different from the romanticised version!

Here's one of my favourite Robert Burns verses (from Address to the Unco Guid) which reminds us we all make mistakes:

'Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentler sister woman;
Tho' they may gang a kennin wrang,
To step aside is human.'

Happy Burns Night,
Rosemary

More Inspiration

I was honoured to receive another Very Inspiring Blogger Award – this time from lovely Gill who is one of the bloggers at Novel Points of View. The idea is to share seven random things about myself, then pass the award on.

Since I’ve shared random information a few times before, I’m going to be different again and share some more inspiring quotes from my collection – with particular relevance to creative pursuits and nature this time. Hope some of us feel inspired by them, or perhaps one may spark a poem or story idea.

‘In her starry shade of dim and solitary loveliness, I learn the language of another world.’ George Gordon, Lord Byron

‘The woods were made for the hunter of dreams, the brooks for the fishes of song.’ Sam Walter Foss

‘Sit in reverie, and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.’ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘Moonlight is sculpture, sunlight is painting.’ Nathanial Hawthorne

‘Here will we sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night become touches of sweet harmony.’ William Shakespeare

‘To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.’ Chuang Tzu

‘It is not the language of the painters but the language of nature to which one has to listen.’ Vincent van Gogh

I’m not sure who has had this award by now, so please feel free to accept it if you feel inspired to share something on your blog.

Rosemary

Fiction Market: The Fiction Desk

Trying to organise my files, photos and information a little better before January is over, so I can update and find everything more quickly. My aim is to start sharing writing markets information again on a regular basis, which I used to do when I started this blog.

So to begin with, The Fiction Desk looks an interesting possibility for anyone writing short stories. They seem to publish ongoing anthologies, and stories of between 2,000 and 11,000 words should be submitted through their online submissions form. They do pay between £20 and £30 and run a Writer's Award.

They are running a Flash Fiction competition at the moment. Stories should be between 250 and 1,250 words. Entry fee is £3 and closing date is 31 January 2013. Full details of the competition and general submissions are on their website.

Good luck!
Rosemary

Motivation for 2013

I’m sure I won’t be the only writer in need of some motivation after the over indulgence of the festive season. Maybe, like me, you need even more motivation to increase earnings this year after doing your tax return! Although I love inspirational articles in magazines, I don’t often take time to read books on the subject as I’d rather get on with the writing. But I’m really enjoying a particular book on kindle just now and thought I’d mention it here.


Carnegie’s Call by Michael Malone, subtitled 'Developing the Success Habit' and published by Argyll Publishing, is immediately relevant. The author profiles several successful people in an attempt to discover what inspired their motivation to succeed. I know Michael, who is also a poet and crime novelist, and interviewed him on this blog a while ago as Michael J Malone. It’s a measure of his own success that he is now published in more than one genre.

As might be expected from the title, the famous philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, is mentioned but so too are modern Scots who might inspire us to persevere with our goals and ambitions. Although a practical motivational book for everyone, it is essentially Scottish in its profiles and Michael’s own Scottish humour seeps through. We are often so backward at promoting ourselves in the UK, and perhaps Scotland in particular at times, that Carnegie’s Call might be the very inspiration we need to stop being so apologetic for any success.

As an added incentive, Carnegie’s Call is available on Amazon kindle for only .90p until the end of the month. Well worth the read for entertainment and motivation.

Rosemary