Cease, Cows looks to be a pretty nifty new journal. My ace writing pal, Tania Hershman, encouraged me to send a piece their way, and they published Cara last week. They’ve done a wonderful job finding an accompanying image. It’s a bit different to my usual fiction, maybe even a little sci-fi-esque.
New flash up at The Ilanot Review
I like the Editor‘s note for The Ilanot Review’s summer edition. They asked for submissions for a “hybrid” issue and wanted something different – work that “rejected labels.” The journal is packed with good words from super smart writers like Elaine Chiew, Sarah Hilary, Jonathan Pinnock, Angela Readman and Nuala Ni Chonchuir. It’s pretty damn cool to be appearing in a journal alongside them. I’m pleased with my piece, Immalore. At the risk of sounding like a twat, it’s kinda personal, but ambiguous too, and probably the closest I get to poetry.
Everything is not ok…
I can’t tell you how much I love this image. It was in the weekly brain pickings (You do subscribe to brain pickings, right? It’s wonderful – always full of chewy, interesting things.)
Anyway, everything is not ok but some things will be, so this seems pertinent right now. My life is not how I’d wish it to be. It is not how I ever imagined it. I am not ok. But, ya know, I will be. Probably.
Just Beneath at The View From Here
I am delighted that my short story Just Beneath has been published by The View From Here. It’s a story I read and think, yes, that’s my voice. I’m proud of it. A rare feeling – usually I cringe when I see my published words. Anyway, I’ll stand by this one and say it represents who I am as a writer.
Kill Author – Dorothy’s Shoes
I’m pleased that Kill Author have published “Dorothy’s Shoes”. My flash is an entirely fictional account of the suicide of Dorothy Edwards. The actual details known about her life, writing, and suicide are the kind one does not forget. Her suicide note is shocking. I keep wondering what happened to her shoes.
I’ve had several responses to this piece from people saying they had not heard of Edwards. Her one collection of short stories – Rhapsody, and her only novel – Winter Sonata, are usually available from Waterstones Brighton and are well worth reading.
A leap year story
Calum Kerr, the founder of National Flash Fiction Day, has apparently limitless enthusiasm for the form of flash as he writes one every day on his blog “flash365”. When he realised his aim to write a flash for every day of the year hadn’t factored in the 29th February he invited other writers to send in stories, and he posted one an hour. Consequently, lots of tiny fictions are available for your reading pleasure.
My flash – “Disappearing Day” – can be read here.
National Flash Fiction Day Competition
I love flash fiction when it’s done well, where every word counts and a life is glimpsed, and I was pleased to be one of the judges for this competition. There were almost 300 entries and every one was read by each of the judges. The winner is a fab story by Angela Readman – “The Worst Head in the World” and the Top 10 list (which can be read here) features all kinds of excellent words. Go, read, enjoy.
Edit.
Just to clarify – all the stories were anonymous; names were taken off and formatting made identical by Calum Kerr before he sent them to the judges.
National Flash Fiction day
I think it’s so cool that May 16th is National Flash Fiction Day. I heart flash and I’m delighted to be a) featured over on NFFD’s site and b) helping to judge the NFFD Flash competition. Details are here but basically you have until 31st January to submit your awesome flashes of not more than100 words to be in with a chance of winning some delicious books and a whole heap of glory.
Flash fiction at The Irish Times
It’s lovely to hear that The Irish Times will regularly be featuring flash fiction, I think it’s an ideal form for newspapers. I’m extremely chuffed that my tiny story “Blown Away” was published in this weekend’s edition, especially as my Irish dad is proper proud of me now.
Want to know my favourite short stories?
Well, you could always head over to Dan Powell’s blog and read his interview with me.
My Life in Short Fiction.
