fiction writer and freelance journalist
I’m delighted to have two of my stories included in Henshaw Treats an anthology just published by Henshaw Press. The book contains thirty two of the prize winning and highly commended stories from the Henshaw Short Story Competitions over the past two years. All proceeds go to Save the Children, so it would be great if you could support both the competition and the charity by buying the book.
An article in the Daily Telegraph yesterday focused on ‘older writers’ with the headline that ‘It’s never too late to write a book”. However it was a bit disconcerting to find that the featured authors looked (and indeed were, in relative terms) so young. One even talked about having four young children – so not that old then!
A bit more encouragement for the truly ageing amongst us, highlighting the achievements of Diana Athill, Mary Wesley, and the vast number of lesser-known first time authors/writers over 60 etc would be much appreciated.
And no, the argument that publishers are looking for ‘social media’ experience and “longevity – someone they can get several books out of” isn’t acceptable. There is a vast market of over 50s who are looking for books that resonate with them – not necessarily by older people, but not automatically by the latest up and coming 20 something authors either (end of rant).
NB Good to see the Prime Writers Group – looking forward to seeing their numbers swell.
Highly delighted to have been awarded First Prize in this month’s Fictuary competition. Really pleased that competitions such as this exist to provide challenge and encouragement to those of us who otherwise would often feel we are in a writing wilderness. Please support them.
If you’re reading this and you have a few minutes please vote (ideally for my story ‘In the frame’ ) on the KISHBOO website.
Voting is quick, free and easy – visit www.kishboo.co.uk
Please click on the FB ‘Like’ button at the bottom of the story, or email your vote to ebox@kishboo.co.uk.
Voting for the stories in the current competition ends on Monday 28th September 2015.
This is a splendid publication, each issue contains some great short stories and like many other initiatives needs people’s support to make it viable.
dianne bown-wilson 