Exciting Updates and News!

While walking in the early morning snow to work yesterday morning, I realised that I haven’t posted here for a while. Here’s a news round-up of all the wonderful writerly things that have been happening recently.

New Flash Fiction Pamphlet to be Published in 2018

I’m beyond thrilled that I’ll have a new flash fiction pamphlet published by V-Press next year! We’re currently in the editing stages so that we can make the pamphlet the very best it can be, and I’m so excited to see it grow and take shape. The stories really mean a lot to me. The pamphlet will be called There’s Something Macrocosmic About All of This.

Pushcart Nomination

For the first time ever, I’ve been nominated for the Pushcart Prize! My zombie-larvae tree romance flash fiction, a flash that I thought would never find a home, was nominated by The Airgonaut. You can read “These Are the Rules of Our Canopy Shyness and Life” here.

Anthologies

I’ve recently been published in FOUR new anthologies. Yes, four!

My flash ‘His Cat is Wrapped in a Bloody Towel Behind the Shed, Dead’ is featured in Flash Fiction Festival One, an anthology of flash produced during workshops at this year’s Flash Fiction Festival, the first of its kind in the UK. I was honoured to be a part of the team and to be able to bring National Flash Fiction Day to the festival with Calum Kerr. Thank you, Jude Higgins, Meg Pokrass,  and the rest of the festival team for organising such a stellar event. Roll on next year!

Two of my flashes were longlisted in the Bath Flash Fiction Award this year and have now been published in The Lobsters Run Free: Bath Flash Fiction Volume Two. You can find my flashes ‘Veganuary’ and ‘You Lost Something in Your Earthquake that You’ll Never Get Back’ in the anthology. The latter was written during a Kathy Fish Fast Flash Workshop, which I highly recommend.

Possibly one of my favourite stories that I’ve ever written, ‘Plastic’ was recently published in Stories for Homes Volume Two. I’m immensely proud of this one, but I’m honoured to be included because this charity anthology is helping raise money for Shelter, a charity that helps homeless people. You can purchase it in paperback and on Kindle here, and I would LOVE you to support this very worthy cause.

Finally, three of my flashes were published in Wired: Flash Fiction from the Worcestershire Literary Festival 2017. You can read these three flashes there: ‘Interviews with Prospective Postmen’, ‘Actually, Love Actually‘, and ‘What the Coffee Promised’.

Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine

The April 2017 issue of Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine (Issue 10.1) has finally been published after an unforeseen delay. It features not only one of my flashes called ‘Getting the Gang Back Together’, but there is also a favourable review for Dots and other flashes of perception by the wonderful Jane Roberts. It has always been a dream of mine to have a flash published in this fantastic, highly-esteemed journal, but to have a flash and a review is beyond incredible. I shall also have another story in their upcoming issue 10.2 called ‘Where We Aren’t’, as well as a review I have written for a stunning flash collection.

Masters Degree

Last, but certainly not least, I can finally confirm that I have passed by Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Bristol.

 

Hopefully there’ll be more good news before the year is done, which I hope so because writing for me has been pretty slow recently. This is partly due to wanting to concentrate on certain projects, wanting to take time to read lots, and an idea that’s forming in my mind that isn’t ready for me to put down on the page but is occupying my mind so much. It’s all exciting, though. Thank you for reading, and thank you to anyone and everyone who has ever supported my writing. You’re all stars!

Fresh Flashes!

Hello everyone!

A few flashes of mine have been published recently! Many people have read and shared their love for these stories over the last few weeks, and I appreciate it so much, so thank you! In case you’ve missed them, here are the details below!

“Colour Tasting” was published by Ellipsis Zine and is about a stray collie dog called Moxie. Ellipsis Zine are a very new magazine, but they’re absolutely killing it with the fiction they’ve published so far! Read my story here.

“These Are the Rules of Our Canopy Shyness and Life” was published by The Airgonaut and is about talking trees and forbidden love. I thought this one would never find a home because it is so unusual, but people have loved it! You can read it here.

“Marrakech” was published in Issue 7 of (b)OINK and is about a couple visiting the medina in the bustling city. This is possibly one of my favourite flashes I’ve written so far. Very happy it is out there in the world! You can read the story here.

“Moderation” was published by Spelk Fiction. You’ll never look at little old ladies feeding ducks at a pond in the same way again! It was inspired the pond and ducks you see in this image, which I often walk past. You can read this story here.

Thank you to all the editors and teams behind the scenes who read and loved these stories enough to give them a home with their magazine! I hope you all enjoy reading them if you haven’t already!

 

Some More Updates!

Hello, everyone!

I’ve been so terrible for posting news as and when it comes, as I used to do, but I have been busy focussing on finishing my MA. The dissertation has been completed, bound, and is staring at me from my desk, tempting me to tweak just…one…more…thing…!!! I have high hopes for it, but what will be will be.

Firstly, some exciting news that I’m sure many of you may already know. I’m the new Senior Editor of New Flash Fiction Review. I’m beyond thrilled to be a part of this flash magazine who have published stunning flash fiction writers (including the likes of Lydia Davis!) and to be working with Meg Pokrass and Pamela Painter. Here we are pictured below at the end of the Flash Fiction Festival. Submissions are currently open until September 12th. Check New Flash Fiction Review out and send us something incredible.

(L-R): Me, Pamela Painter, and Meg Pokrass. We’re having a well deserved sit down after the busy Flash Festival.

I’m also now an Associate Editor for Vestal Review, who I have been a First Reader with for almost a year. Our current reading period is from now until the end of November, so send us something we can’t refuse.

Last time I posted an update, the new National Flash Fiction Day Anthology, which I was co-editing with Meg Pokrass, was about to be published. Well, it’s now available in to purchase in paperback and on Kindle. It’s called Sleep is a Beautiful Colour and features incredible authors, including: Calum Kerr, Robert Shapard, Pamela Painter, Bobbie Ann Mason, Claudia Smith, Robert Scotellaro, Stuart Dybek, Etgar Keret, Meg Pokrass, Angela Readman, Danielle McLaughlin, Robert Lopez, and so many more! Based on the theme of Life As Your Know It, every flash in this anthology offers something striking, unusual, unique, and powerful. You will not be disappointed!

I’ve also had a few more publications and acceptances:

I have four flashes forthcoming in flash fiction magazines that I’m really excited about and haven’t blogged about! Each of these magazines, some old and some new, have been absolutely killing it with the flash they publish. Thank you to all of the editorial staff of these magazines who keep publishing such awesome work. I’m so happy to be a part of them:

‘Colour Tasting’ will be published in Ellipsis Zine very soon (Friday 25th August).

‘Marrakech’ will be published by the off-the-wall (b)OINK zine in September and is possibly one of my favourite flashes I’ve ever written (mainly because of the fun I had writing it).

‘These Are the Rules of Canopy Shyness and Life’ is one of those stories I thought would never find a home because it’s really a bit mental and odd, but thankfully The Airgonaut loved it and will be publishing it in their September issue.

‘Moderation’ will be published in September by Spelk. 

And as if that’s not enough…

‘They Dropped the Bomb’ was published by Paragraph Planet on Sunday 25th June, while at the Flash Fiction Festival in Bath. It’s inspired in some ways by my family, and in others by where the world is likely to end up… You can read it below:

My micro ‘The Broom of Sisyphus’ won National Flash Fiction Day New Zealand’s Micro Madness. You can read it here.

My prose poem ‘In the Light, I See…’ was published by Unbroken Journal, who I love. read it here.

A new anthology called Short on Sugar, High on Honey, which features stories about love that are between 7 and 13 words in length, is going to be published and will feature one of my stories. The anthology has been edited by Mark Budman and Tom Hazuka, and will be published by Flash: The International Short-Short Story Press.

And three more stories of mine will also be published in the 2017 Worcester LitFest Flash Fiction Anthology. The anthology is usually published in November in paperback and kindle, and will include ‘Actually, Love Actually’, ‘What the Coffee Promised’, and ‘Interviews with Prospective Postmen’.

If you’re in Bath on Friday 29th September, you can catch me reading some stories at St. James Wine Vaults in Bath for Jude Higgins’ launch of her pamphlet The Chemist’s House. It’s a great collection. The event is free so do come along! More details here.

I think that’s it… I’m hoping to return to more regular posting of news rather than piling everything into one post every couple of months. As I have now finished the MA, I’m currently planning on relaxing (hence the lovely butterfly picture I took on a recent walk), applying for jobs, thinking about PhD proposals, and getting some writing done! I have a few newer pieces out in the world for consideration, and I’ll be taking part in a Kathy Fish workshop in September, which I’m so looking forward to!

Thanks for reading!

Some Updates!

Hello, everyone!

I must apologise for being so quiet and for not posting in a long time. I have been (and still am) very busy studying for my Masters degree at the University of Bristol, but wanted to take some time to share some news about the other things that have kept me busy.

Firstly, I’ve been very busy with National Flash Fiction Day UK. This year I’m the co-editor of the anthology, and it was an absolute pleasure to be involved in reading and selecting flashes from the submissions we received. It was a difficult job for myself and my co-editor, the incomparable Meg Pokrass, because we received so many excellent stories.

The anthology theme is Life As You Know It, and the stories we selected are funny, poignant, evocative, and different. We also were able to include some incredible commissioned writers, writers who are very well known in the flash community, including: Etgar Keret, Stuart Dybek, Robert Shapard, Pamela Painter, Robert Scotellaro, Bobbie Ann Mason, and Danielle McLaughlin. This is to name only a few!

The anthology will be called Sleep is a Beautiful Colour, will be published in June, and will feature my flash fiction ‘They Keep Calling My Ex-Husband Brave’. For the full line-up, visit this link here: National Flash Fiction Day UK Blog.

As well as ‘They Keep Calling My Ex-Husband Brave’ being published, I have also had a handful of other acceptances since I last updated.

‘Getting the Gang Back Together’ will be published in Issue 10.1 of Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine. This I am still so excited about. Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine is one of the leading flash magazines in the UK and a magazine I have always admired.  Read more about them here.

My tiny micro-fiction, ‘The Broom of Sisyphus’, will be published in June as a part of National Flash Fiction Day New Zealand’s Micro Madness competition series! Read more about them here.

My short story, ‘Plastic’, will be published in the Stories for Homes Anthology Vol. 2. What is wonderful about this anthology is that the whole point of the anthology is to raise money for the homelessness charity Shelter. They’ve raised lots of money from the first anthology, which is still available to purchase, and the new anthology will be published towards the end of the year. Find out more about their extraordinary work here.

‘The Same People at the Bus Stop’ will be published in the very first issue of DNA Magazine. The editor, Katie Marsden, is absolutely wonderful to work with, and I encourage everyone to submit to future calls for submissions. Find out more about the magazine by visiting their website.

My flash fiction, ‘Veganuary’, was longlisted in the Bath Flash Fiction Award, and will be published in their second volume of their anthology, which will be published in December 2017 / January 2018. This I’m still so, so thrilled about! To enter the Bath Flash Fiction Award, or to find out more, visit their website.

My story, ‘Hair‘, won one of the weekly Ad Hoc competitions run by Bath Flash Fiction Award. You can read the story here: ‘Hair‘.

Finally, ‘Men at Work’ was published by Great Jones Street, and is available to read on their mobile app. Download the app from the Apple App store or Google Play app store. You can read a little of it online, then purchase it online. Great Jones Street are an incredible platform of short stories, fiction on the go, and described as the “Netflix” of Fiction. Check them out there.

And as if all of that wasn’t enough, I’ve been helping organise the first ever Flash Fiction literary festival in the UK. You can find out more about it here: Flash Fiction Festival.

I’m judging the inaugural District Lit flash fiction contest! Enter the competition!

Below are the details for the inaugural District Lit competition that I am judging! For more information check out District Lit‘s website here: District Lit. I can’t wait to read your stories!

Three Flashes Published by Open Pen Magazine!

Three of my flash fictions have been published online by Open Pen Magazine today! You can read all by following this link here: Open Pen Magazine.

‘He’s Become Addicted to Green Tea’ is funny story about a couple whose relationship breaks down because of an addiction to green tea that is pushed too far.

‘The Copper-haired Girl’ has been described as a heart-breaking tale. It is a single sentence that contains a life.

And the final story, ‘The Perfectionist’s Secret’, is about a perfectionist named Cassandra whose life is meticulous, until something goes wrong…

I hope you enjoy reading them!

‘Old School Rivalry’ published by Fictive Dream!

My flash fiction, ‘Old School Rivalry’, has now been published by Fictive Dream and is available to read by following this link here: ‘Old School Rivalry’.

‘Old School Rivalry’ is about two women, Hannah and Zoe, bump into each other for the first time in ten years, and their old jealousies are reignited.

The featured image on this page is an illustration for the story by Claudia McGill. It is called Lady Looking at a Tiny Woman Figure and has been produced as a mixed media collage 6″ x 6″. Isn’t it just fascinating? I think it really suits the story well. You can find out more about Claudia McGill and her work at Claudia McGill and Her Art World, the link for which is RIGHT HERE.

I hope you enjoy reading ‘Old School Rivalry’ and consider submitting your own work to Fictive Dream.

‘Cacophony’ published by The Story Shack!

My flash fiction, ‘Cacophony’, has been published by The Story Shack online. It has also been accompanied by this stunning illustration you see by Daniele Murtas (you see more illustrations by Daniele Murtas on his website: here.

To read ‘Cacophony’ please follow this link here. I would tell you a little bit about the story, but I think the illustration perfectly suggests what you might expect!

‘I Could Be Anyone’ published by Visual Verse!

I have a flash fiction called ‘I Could Be Anyone’ over at Visual Verse. It’s in response to a brilliant photo prompt. To check it out, follow this link here: ‘I Could Be Anyone’ – Visual Verse, Volume 4 Chapter 1.

‘Her Incarceration’ published in Long Exposure magazine!

My flash fiction, ‘Her Incarceration’, has now been published in the fourth issue of Long Exposure magazine. It is available to purchase by following this link here.

The issue features many brilliant writers. I’m honoured to be included in this issue alongside such talent!