The Cheeky Poet

So, there is this event called the SA HorrorFest . If you weren't aware it, don't feel bad, it's news to me as well. After spotting this here call for submissions for the Bloody Parchment Short Story Competition on the PEN South Africa site, I knew this had to be a real thing. This quote from the Bloody Parchment blog made me sit up and take note, like a curious meerkat perplexed at spotting a nude vampire sunbathing under the Kalahari sun: "We continue to seek the freshest, disturbing and disconcerting new voices in SFF, with emphasis on tales that wander into the darker side of the storytelling spectrum." Say What Now? Sounds challenging. My writing voice is neither disturbing nor disconcerting (at least that's what I'm inclined to think). If it was poetry, absolutely. I've been known to channel darkness every so often in order to produce a scary sonnet or two. But that's about as far as it goes. But wait! There's more! They are als...

I almost can't believe it's that time of year again! I entered the Commonwealth Writers Short Story competition last year and I must be honest, I am not surprised I didn't win. The competition is fierce. Writers from all over the world compete for this prestigious award. This particular competition is a cultural initiative by the Commonwealth Foundation and was set up in 2012 to connect writers and storytellers from around the globe. If you are a citizen of one with the 52 Commonwealth countries , you are eligible to submit . So, just what is The Commonwealth? "The Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political association of states. Its roots go back to the British Empire when some countries were ruled directly or indirectly by Britain. Some of these countries became self-governing while retaining Britain’s monarch as Head of State. They formed the British Commonwealth of Nations.  In 1949 the association we know today – The Commonwealth – came into...

Short Sharp Stories is an initiative in conjunction with the South African National Arts Festival. The winning author will take home a whopping R20,000. I can't wait to sit down and write my story. But before I embark on searching for my box filled with paper and film memories, let me tell you a bit about how I prepare myself for writing fiction for competitions and awards. No, I am not procrastinating... Research So, I have a good idea for a story, but will they like it? And just who are they? Who are the judges?  Is there a theme and what is it? Who was last year's winner and what did they write about? What is the genre? Who will the audience be? I base my research on all of these questions before I embark on the first draft. Deadline What is the word-count? Will I have enough time to produce good work in the allotted time available? I'll confess, I am not one of those people who thrive under pressure. The closer a deadline creeps near, the more stressed and l...

Okay, I'm just going to go ahead and say it: the most appealing thing about this magazine, from a writer's perspective, is that it pays. I don't know about you, but I don't have the time or desire to work for free.  Salomè is an online literary magazine for emerging female writers. So whether you're female or feel that you are woman, submit . They've filled their quota for their October issue, but do not fear, you can submit again as from 30 October 2017. The next issue is themed Creation. Have a look at their submissions guide before you do. As per their submissions page:  Great, you'd like to submit a piece to us.  Submissions re-open on 30th October.  Upcoming theme: Creation Please use the form at the bottom of this page for all submissions We operate on a submissions cap basis - submissions close when we reach 250, so we recommend you get in there pretty speedy  Our issues are themed so check out our theme below for your cre...