Reedsy

Beautiful writing — a short story contest & the winner

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I’m a little under-the-weather this week — a cold that’s keeping me busy trying to cough up a lung (COVID test negative, thank goodness) — so I thought I’d introduce you to a short story contest that might interest you. It’s run by Reedsy, a writer’s resource I follow regularly, and anyone can enter. There’s a different theme and writing prompts each week; the winner receives $250 through PayPal, and their story posted on the Reedsy site. For all writers, the more you write, the better you get, so this contest would be a great way to build your skills. If you’re interested, you can find more information on the contest page. Be sure to read the submissions rules.

I also encourage you to check out the winning entry for Contest #154, Moonlight and Madness, submitted by Suma Jayachandar. The writing prompt was “Write a story — romantic or not — about two characters who can’t find the right timing.” Suma’s entry is a beautifully-written look into a couple forced to separate during the 1947 partitioning of British India into two separate countries, India and Pakistan. The partitioning was by all accounts a massively traumatic event for all the citizens involved; you can read more about it on Wikipedia for background to the emotions of the two people involved in the short story, who knew they’d never see each other again.

Good writers read other writers’ work, and this short story is a great example, so I’ll leave you with this recommendation for my weekly blog. I hope you enjoy!

All photos are by me unless otherwise specified, and all rights are reserved. E. Jurus

More writer info – children’s books, reality TV show

/ ejurus / Leave a comment
The start of the storybook trail on Foley Mountain, Ontario — in 2020 it featured The Gruffalo

This week’s post features two pieces of news I wanted to share with you.

  1. The Reedsy site has posted a comprehensive guide to publishing children’s books. This genre has never been in my wheelhouse, but if you have a wonderful concept for such a book you’ll want to check out all the information in the article, How to Publish a Children’s Book: A Guide for First-Time Authors. In a great illustration of synchronicity, or amazing coincidence (plotting note for you), the article begins by referencing Julia Donaldson, the author of the book featured in the photo for this post, which I took two years ago while on a pandemic vacation within the bounds of my own province.
  2. If you have a book idea inside you and would love the challenge of writing it in front of a huge television audience, this challenge might be for you! A new reality TV show specifically for writers is being put together; it’s called America’s Next Great Author, and the producers are taking casting calls right now. The show has several producers, including The Book Doctors, Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, who run an annual Pitchapalooza for writers who’ve created a book through National Novel Writing Month. Though not for the faint-hearted (like all reality shows), this could be right up your alley: tryouts in several U.S. cities where you’ll get one minute to pitch your book idea to a publishing panel; then “Six charismatic finalists from vastly different places and backgrounds enter the Writer’s Retreat together for a month of live-wire challenges and spectacular storytelling.” The finalists will have to begin their book ‘from scratch’ and complete it in 30 days. Whether you want to submit your name for the casting calls, or just follow information on the show as it develops, this is where you’ll find out more 🙂 Good luck!