Author Archives: devonliterarydelights

Go Gothic – Short Story and Flash Fiction Competitions

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The Still Tower of Tavistock Abbey.

A Gothic Short Story Writing Competition
Hosted by Tavistock Library https://www.facebook.com/TavistockLibrary/ and supported by Tavistock Heritage Trust https://www.heritageintavistock.org/ as part of ‘Tavistock’s 1st Gothic and Neo-Gothic Celebration – Literature, Art, Architecture, Theatre, Film and Creative Fun.’

From Saturday the 12th of October and culminating in a market and author event on Saturday the 19th of October 2019.

This new celebration aims to encompass writing, film, drama and art activities.  There will be a Gothic market for writers and traders to showcase their work, and a range of related events.

Theme: A short story in the Gothic tradition incorporating folklore and myth.

Prizes: A cash prize will be offered to the overall winner 30% of all entry receipts will form the prize fund. There will also be a second prize of 30% of all the entry fees awarded to a ‘Gothic’ story based in Tavistock and incorporating its Gothic and Neo-Gothic Heritage. Additional runners-up prizes of books will also be awarded. The prize winners will be notified approximately two weeks prior to the prize giving. The remaining 40% of the entry fees will be used for administration costs and for festival and library events.

 

Presentation of the Prizes: The results will be announced, and the prizes presented at an event to be during the celebration.

Judging: The judging will be in two stages. The final short list of stories will be judged by a panel of librarians, authors and publishers. Shortlisted entries will be ranked by a final judging panel.

Tips: The judges will be looking for interesting and original stories that are factually correct where appropriate.

Publication: Depending on the number and quality of the entries received an e-anthology may be published.

A Gothic Short Story Writing Competition
For anyone over the age of 18

Rules and Conditions of Entry

  1. Entries must be in English, original and not previously published in any form or broadcast, and no longer than 1500 words (adult).
  2. Closing date: May 31st
  3. Results: Available to the public from the 12th of October 2019.
  4. Entries must be typewritten or word-processed on single-sided A4 paper, in 12-point typeface, double (or 1.5 times) spaced. Each page must carry the name of the story in the header or footer and pages must be numbered. Do not put your name on the story pages. Please attach a cover sheet with your name, address, telephone and if possible your e-mail contact details, title of your story, and word count. Entries may be emailed to wilkins@librariesunlimited.org.uk and a copy to myfanwyc@btinternet.com
  5. Entries may be delivered by hand or by post to Go Gothic – Flash Fiction Competition to Tavistock Library, The Quay, Plymouth Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8HF, England. Please include your payment by cheque (in sterling) made payable to The Friends of Tavistock Library or BACS Transfer: Account name: Friends of Tavistock Library, Account number: 32152922, Sort code: 602149. Payment may also be made in cash at Tavistock Library.
  6. Entry fees: Adults – £3 for first entry, £2 for second or subsequent entry. If you intend to submit multiple entries, please submit all entries together.
  7. No manuscripts will be retained so contestants must keep a copy of their work.
  8. Copyright remains with the author.
  9. If acknowledgement of receipt is required, please include a stamped and addressed postcard.
  10. The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
  11. In accordance with the 2018 European Union General Data Protection Regulation Act (EU GDPR) your information will not be kept on a data base or used for marketing purposes and we will only contact you to tell you if you have won the competition and when all the logos will be on display.
  12. Entry to the competition implies acceptance of the rules.

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/MyfanwyCook 

https://twitter.com/tavilibrary?lang=en

A doorway that was once and entrance into Tavistock Abbey.

 

© 2018 Myfanwy Cook.

Creating Short Fantasy Fiction from Dartmoor Myths and Legends – A free workshop

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Creating Short Fantasy Fiction from Dartmoor Myths and Legends – A free workshop led by Myfanwy Cook www.myfanwycook.com as part of the 15th Tavistock Festival www.tavistockmusic.co.uk

Come along and be inspired to write the opening to or a mini-short story based on a selection of the myths and legends such as Old Dewer’s ‘Wisht Hounds’ and cream eating pixies.

Venue: Tavistock Library

Start time: 10.30 am am till 12.15 pm

Date: 25th of April, 2018

Booking is essential through: tavistock.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk

Telephone: 01822 612218

St. John’s Well, Tavistock

Medieval Murder and 17th Century Romance – Two free workshops in Devon

‘Cullopmton’s Wool Trade, Coldharbour Mill and the Walronds –

 A Historical Fiction Romance and Adventure Creative Short Story Workshop’.

Thursday the 14th of September – Free Morning Workshop

(9.45am registration and a 10am start. Finish at 12 o’clock.)

To book contact:  cullompton.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk

 

 

Your Workshop Facilitator will be Myfanwy (Vanni) Cook, who is currently the ‘New Voices’ Feature Editor for ‘The Historical Novel Society Review Magazine’ and an Associate Fellow at two Universities. She is the author of ‘Historical Fiction Writing – A practical guide and tool-kit’ and is passionate about bringing local history alive.

www.historicalnovelsociety.org  

https://twitter.com/MyfanwyCook

Thursday the 14th of September – Free Afternoon Workshop

The “Golgotha” and St. Andrew’s Church –A Historical Crime Fiction Creative Short Story Workshop

for those who enjoy the writing of Ellis Peters and Umberto Eco

(1.45pm Registration and a 2pm start. Finish at 4pm.)

To book contact:  cullompton.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk

Making History Come Alive – The People’s History

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Bideford Bay Creatives (BBC) Events | Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bideford–bay–creatives-bbc-8125755897

Saturday the 4th of February – Venue – Royal Hotel, Bideford, UK

The People’s History – An Historical Fiction Creative Writing Workshop celebrating the people whose lives were interwoven with Bideford’s Eastern Wharves.

A donation of £2 per person will be collected at the door.

Age range: For adults (over the age of 18)

This workshop will last for approximately two and half hours with a very short break for refreshments. Registration at 9.45am and starting at 10am to 12.30.

Content: This is a practical, fast paced workshop focusing on Biographical Historical Fiction writing based around ‘real’ people whose lives were interwoven with the history of the Wharves including the 17th and 18th century potters, the 18th century tobacco merchants and the ‘unknown’ and often undocumented who were transported or who went from Bideford as indentured workers.

You will be provided with a free work pack to take away. The structured session will guide you through the process of writing a short story or opening of a novel based on historical fact.

You will have the opportunity to showcase your writing from this workshop at the end of project celebration at the Pollyfield Centre, East the Water on February 26th, and online. All you need to bring along to this session is your imagination and a pen.

Your workshop facilitator will be Myfanwy Cook who is currently the Features Editor for the Historical Novel Review Magazine and an associate fellow at two UK universities see www.historicalnovelsociety.org and https://twitter.com/MyfanwyCook

Saturday the 4th of February – Venue – Royal Hotel, Bideford, UK

Hidden History – A sense of place – An Historical Fiction Creative Writing Workshop aimed at evoking the atmosphere of Bideford’s Eastern Wharves throughout its history.

This workshop will last for approximately two and half hours with a very short break for refreshments. Registration at 1.45pm and starting at 2pm to 4.45.

A donation of £2 per person will be collected at the door.

Age range: Over the age of 16

Content: You will be introduced to time-slip historical fiction and historical descriptive writing based around key locations for instance the late 17th century extension to the ‘key’(kay) for ships in 1692, Colonial House and the 19th century shipyard (on the Brunswick Wharf site).

This is an opportunity to experiment with Historical time-slip fiction and Manga in a light hearted way. You will be provided with a free work pack to take away from this practical, structured session.

You will have the opportunity to showcase your writing from this workshop or you Manga style drawings at the end of project celebration at the Pollyfield Centre, East the Water on February 26th, and online. . All you need to bring along to this session is an open mind, your creative spirit, a pen and if you are an artist your sketchbook.

Your workshop facilitator will be Myfanwy Cook who is currently the Features Editor for the Historical Novel Review Magazine and an associate fellow at two UK universities see www.historicalnovelsociety.org and https://twitter.com/MyfanwyCook

Two free workshops, a fund raiser and a Christmas present

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Two free workshops, a fund raiser and a Christmas present

Tavistock Heritage Festival

October 25th, 26th and 27th 2014

http: tavistockheritagefestival.org.uk

Twitter: Tavistock Heritage@TavistockH2014

 Free Historical Fiction Writing Workshops

Workshop 1

“Tavistock and the Tamar Valley’s 19th century mining heritage”

       “Tavistock and the Tamar Valley’s 19th century mining heritage” is an historical fiction writing workshop run by Myfanwy Cook features editor of the Historical Novels Review (www.historicalnovelsociety.org) and author of ‘Historical Fiction Writing a practical guide and tool-kit’. She has carried out extensive research on the Tamar Valley on behalf of the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project and the workshop will include original research and recordings

This workshop is aimed at providing aspiring writers with the opportunity to experiment with the skills needed to write engaging historical fiction based on local historical facts. (Saturday 25th October. Tavistock Library, Plymouth Rd, at 2pm. A free event for over 18s including a work pack. Booking is essential as there are only limited places, contact 01822 612218 or email tavistock.library@devon.gov.uk.

Workshop 2

“Medieval mayhem and murder at

Tavistock’s Benedictine Abbey”

       This workshop is aimed at introducing aspiring writers of historical crime fiction to the delights of combining local heritage and history with murder most foul! (Sunday 26th October. Bedford Hotel at 10.00am. A free event for over 18s including a work pack. Booking is essential as there are only a limited number of places contact 01822 612218 or email tavistock.library@devon.gov.uk.

 

Historical fiction workshops that aren’t part of the Tavistock Festival

Workshop 3

The Museum of Dartmoor Life

Fund raiser for the http://www.museumofdartmoorlife.org.uk/

enquiries@museumofdartmoorlife.co.uk

‘Okehampton’s forgotten voices – A tribute to those who took part in WW1 – A Practical Historical Fiction Workshop’. 

Workshop 4 –Christmas present

http://www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk/

E: orchardstudio@yahoo.co.uk

The Tamar Valley’s Klondike – A practical Historical Fiction Writing 2 day Course

An intensive weekend (2 day course) for aspiring historical writers – January 31st/Feb 1st, 2015. If you have a friend or family member who is interested in Historical Fiction Writing buying a voucher as a Christmas present might make an ideal and unusual gift.