Top Short Story Competitions – Literary Athletics

The only way to lose is by not taking part

There are short story writing competitions. There are international short story writing competitions. And then there's New York City Midnight Short Story Challenge.

The operative words are Midnight and Challenge, and they mean exactly what they say. NYCM competitions are not for sleepyheads or the faint-hearted.

This year the challenge consisted of three rounds of original writing challenges, set against the calendar and the clock. The challenges were presented, by email, at 11:59 EDT (New York time), which equated to 4:59 the following morning in the UK.

In the first round the 24:00/5:00am start was not too onerous, given eight days to write a story of up to 2,500 words. The second round was slightly more fraught with 3 days to produce a story of up to 1,500 words. Faced, however, with 24 hours to write a 1,000 word story in the final round, every second counted, so a 5:00 start was vital.

The 625 first round writers were placed randomly in 'heats' of 25. Each heat received a genre, subject and character assignment, for example: Comedy (genre), a family reunion (subject) and a pathological liar (character).

The judges chose 125 writers from the first round to progress to the second round. These writers were again placed in heats and given new genre, subject and character assignments.

From these entries the judges chose 25 writers to advance to the third and final round, in which all writers received the same genre, subject and character.

The over all winners were:

1 'Origin Story' by Jessica Zimmerman
2 'What We Left Behind' by Muthoni Kiarie
3 'Secret Sky' by Elizabeth Spencer
4 'After the Plague' by Betsy A. Riley
5 'Shiny, Pink Secrets' by Andrea Hannah

Me? I made it to the final 25, which is not so dusty. Close, as they say, but no cigar.

Perhaps my NYCM-inspired athletic training regime will stand me in good stead for future literary track and field events, who knows?

Whatever, I've submitted my three entries elsewhere. As I observed at the beginning: The only way to lose is by not taking part.

No Smoke Without Ire

How would you define mass murder?

(Image via The Journal: Staton R. Winter/AP/Press Association Image

When the international community brings to account those accused of crimes against humanity we feel righteous satisfaction that justice has prevailed. We experience this emotion principally because we are compassionate beings and the world is our shrinking habitat. In the words of John Donne: No man is an island entire of itself…any man's death diminishes me… *

According to ABC News, tobacco companies – including British American Tabaco Australia (BATA) – are challenging in court the ground breaking attempts of the Australian government to reduce tobacco addiction and smoking related deaths by introducing plain generic packaging. BATA is also proposing to reduce the price of cigarettes.

In response, Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek is quoted as saying: "What they're interested in doing is attracting new smokers and keeping existing smokers, and they'll do whatever it takes to do that."

(Image: ABC News)

The connection between smoking and premature death is established fact, so is the addictive nature of tobacco. 
 
If the killing of thousands for 'reasons' of religion, race or ideology is a Crime Against Humanity, what should we call the killing of addicted millions for financial gain?

And, weighed dispassionately in the cold scales of logic, which crime is the more monstrous?

* No Man is an island

No man is an island entire of itself;
every man 
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe 
is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as 
well as a manor of thy friends or of thine own were;
any man's death diminishes me, 
because I am involved in mankind. 

And therefore never send to know for whom 
the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.

John Donne

Small is Beautiful – National Flash Fiction Day

In case you haven't heard, Wednesday, May 16th – yes, that is in two days time – will be the first ever National Flash Fiction Day.

The National bit applies to the UK, but  there is also an International Flash Fiction Day in tandem.

So, wherever you reside in the world, you still have tomorrow to submit contributions to the FlashFlood Journal, which will appear online during National Flash Fiction Day, starting from around midnight on May 15th (all times are BST) with contributions added regularly throughout the day.

I'm pleased to report that the FlashFlood Journal editors have accepted a piece of mine, Bent, which I understand will be posted between 12:00 and 12:30.

It is great to be involved with the inaugural National Flash Fiction Day, which the indefatigable Calum Kerr has worked on for so long to bring to fruition.

Next Wednesday promises to be a bundle of fun for writers and readers alike. I hope to see you there.

Touching the Past in the NYT 'Lively Morgue'

If like me you enjoy the process of research for your writing you'll know that the saying 'A picture paints a thousand words' does often hold true in the real world. Find the right images and you're well on your way to understanding a time and place, and, with a little cooperation from serendipity, you may even find your characters.

It was thanks to serendipity that I discovered this surprisingly moving and very human story about a remarkable survival from past technologies that can add missing tactility to our – equally wonderful in a different way – digital age: Inside the New York Times 'Lively Morgue' on Vimeo

Whilst watching this piece I was reminded of one of my all-time favourite BBC TV dramas, Shooting the Past, by Stephen Polyiacoff. If you've not seen that excellent drama, do try to find it online or DVD. If you appreciate the value of research from reliable prime sources, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Enjoy the Success of Others

Ask any group of creative writers what they think success entails and no doubt one or two will avoid the issue, saying that success is irrelevant; they must write because they're not fully alive unless they do so. Others may go even further and admit that writing is cheaper than therapy. The more honest writers might confess to craving the approbation of their peers, and the pragmatists will be bound to respond that the one true measure of success is when somebody is prepared to pay for their work. Trouble is, in order to achieve success, however you define it, first you have to release your work to editorial and/or public scrutiny. And then wait…

While you're waiting and nibbling your fingernails down to your elbow, take a look around and see what other writer friends are achieving. But don't be envious. Provided you work hard, listen to criticism and don't give up doing what you believe in, no doubt it will happen for you in the end.

After all, the success of your friends is proof of what is possible. So enjoy it.

Right now I'm enjoying the success of two friends who are also members of my home writers' group, Verulam Writers' Circle. Jenny Barden's latest historical novel, Mistress of the Sea, has secured her a two book deal with Ebury Press. Actor and playwright Julie Mayhew has reached the short list of the Scott Prize for the second year running with her short story collection End Of.

My own start to 2012 has been far from impressive in creative writing terms. I spent much of January tying up lose ends of my old 'day job' for the UK tax department, HMRC, (no fiction there honest, officer). For most of February I've been dealing with an on-going crisis for a member of my extended family. This has involved travel, substantial expense and writing letters/emails whose cumulative word count would make an average length – if very boring – novella.

In fact my only new piece of creative writing so far this year has been a story for round one of the New York City Midnight Short Story Challenge 2012. I've just read that through again and I don't think I'll hold my breath waiting for the results. Let's simply say that it reflects my state of mind at the time - most definitely not my best stuff.

I do, however, have two small successes of my own to record, although they were both written last year:

My Valentine's Day themed poem We Are One is up on Every Day Poets and a flash fiction story Tough Love is on Every Day Fiction.

Ah, well. Until I can get myself back into the writing zone, I'm pleased to be able to enjoy the success of Jenny, Julie and other friends.

Thanks for dropping by. Help yourself to virtual tea and biscuits, but don't forget to sign the visitors' book (comment), please, and turn out the lights when you leave.

Bye for now.

Oscar

Christmas Offerings from Oscar

These final countdown weeks of 2011 have been an interesting time for me.

Somehow I managed to scrape through to the penultimate round of the hectic New York City Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge, one of 100 contestants whittled down from 480 starters. If any of you short fiction writers haven't yet tried NYCM competitions, I strongly recommend that you should have a go. Be warned though that you will have to be disciplined to work against the clock. In the FF Challenge this means writing a story of up to 1000 words in 48 hours. That does get the creative juices flowing, believe me.

In November Every Day Poets published my World War 1 prose poem Farewell Sweet Molly Brown. I don't consider myself to be poet, so this result came as a very pleasant surprise. In fact, that small success prompted me to attempt my first recorded reading,  on Audioboo.

New York seems to have been lucky for me this year, because today The View From Here has put the icing on my Christmas cake, by  publishing my short story Nighthawks: A Fable of New York.

I hope you might perhaps have time to read/listen to my offerings. If you do, please let me know what you think.

I'd like to wish any poor lonely souls who happen to find themselves in my humble blog, a very happy Christmas - or whatever this season may be to you - and a healthy and peaceful New Year 2012.

As ever, help yourselves to tea and biccies, but please do turn the lights off when you leave.

Seasonal Success Assured - FREE Christmas Present Guide:

Why go through the hell of making Christmas present decisions when I offer you four sure-fire suggestions for book presents that will make someone's day? The first three are books I have recently read and can heartily recommend, the fourth is one I can recommend equally heartily but in which I must confess a small vested interest.

Recommendation: The Coward's Tale, by Vanessa Gebbie (Bloomsbury)

Suitable for: Anyone who loves enthralling stories and fine writing. A must for the most important person in your life. This gift's significance will build and build.

More about the book: When describing The Coward's Tale I find it difficult to avoid using superlatives. From the very first page I was drawn to the rhythm of Vanessa Gebbie's writing and the warmth of her characters. It's impossible to pigeonhole The Coward's Tale. In her story of a Welsh mining town and the effect of a past mining disaster on the community, Vanessa has created a magical world grounded in harsh reality. A saga of sorts - yes - but intimate too, comprising many stories of individual lives, beautifully entwined with a structure and narrative technique that combines the warmth of traditional story telling with her own unique style.

Imagine how your standing and judgement will increase in the eyes of the recipients of this book when, over coming months and years, The Coward's Tale attracts literary approbation of the highest order. It is a  classic in the making - trust me. No, don't thank me now, but do please remember that you heard it here first.


Recommendation: The Secret of the Sands, by Sara Sheridan (HarperCollins - AVON)

Suitable for: Lovers of well written and meticulously researched historical fiction combined with a touch of romance. Don't be fooled by the cover art, which might lead the unwary to believe Secret of the Sands is a 'girlie' book. It's not. The cover blurb describes it as 'A rich and epic novel…', I'd go along with that.

More about the book: Sara Sheridan's work covers an amazing range of style, subject matter and genre. She may occasionally be heard reporting from far-flung places on the BBC Radio 4 programme 'From our own correspondent'. In The Secret of the Sands Sara combines her enthusiasm for primary source research with an entertaining writing style of journalistic clarity. This enthralling tale is based on the true life19th century adventures in the Arabian Penninsula of British Navy Lieutenant James Wellstead, and his relationship with a high-born Ethiopian girl trapped into slavery. The Secret of the Sands is written with the kind of panache only achievable by someone who knows their historical subject matter from the foundations up. A book to savour.


Recommendation: Mrs Darcy versus the Aliens, by Jonathan Pinnock (Proxima Classics)

Suitable for: Anyone breathing and possessing a sense of humour, with the following caveats: HEALTH WARNING Not to be read by persons of a sensitive disposition or those diagnosed with Obsessive Jane Austen Loyalty Syndrome. On no account should this book be read whilst imbibing hot liquids or operating machinery.

More about the book: This is the Jane Austen sequel that Jane might have written had she reached puberty in the era of the Beatles and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Jonathan Pinnock, conversely, has managed to ghost-write her work without any artificial aids or stimulants… allegedly. Imagine your favourite Austen novel with added aliens, tentacles and assorted unlikely literary and historical characters. Got it? OK, now put the mix in a blender, add skilful writing, a generous portion of wit and serve with an arty drizzle of innuendo. In short, a crazy mash-up guaranteed to raise a laugh.


Recommendation: The Archangel and the White Hart (VWC publication)

Suitable for: Anybody who enjoys a good read, particularly those who have limited time for reading. The Archangel and the White Hart is a slim volume that will slip easily into a handbag or briefcase ready to dip into during otherwise wasted minutes. A cornucopia of pleasant surprises to carry with you anywhere.

More about the book: The Archangel and the White Hart is an anthology of writings - short fiction, poetry and excerpts from longer works - by members of Verulam Writers' Circle (VWC). This is the book in which I have a vested interest (not a financial interest, I receive no royalties) in that VWC is my home writers' circle and two of my stories are included in the volume. The Archangel and the White Hart is a professional publication edited by Jonathan Pinnock (see above) and comprising some of the the best work by a group of outstanding authors, many of whom have had novels and other works published and/or broadcast.

But Not Least: Clearly, my selection represents only a tiny fraction of all the terrific books currently available. So, as a post script I'll add two other books that are right at the top of my 'to read' pile. The first is a collection of short fiction Somewhere Else, or Even Here, by A. J. Ashworth (Salt Publishing) and the second is an historical fiction novella The Onion Stone, by Mandy Pannett (Pewter Rose Press).

The clinching argument: You can buy these books online thereby saving a lot of fuel, pollution and frustration. A book has to be easier to wrap than a pogo stick or a set of golf clubs. Buy today and you'll have time to read the books before you wrap them. Win-win. You know it makes sense.

So, what are you waiting for?

Good shopping and reading.