'Christmas' to be in National Flash Flood Day Journal 25 June 2016
Heard within ten minutes of my submission that my story 'Christmas' will be published online on the National Flash Flood Fiction Journal website on Saturday 25 June 2016 at 3.30am. It will be here
2016 NFFD Anthology Published
The first review I have written is published
This is a review of the live radio play 'When Will It be Me?' at the Bath Fringe in Burdalls' Yard on 6 June 2016.
Read review here
'Sunday Morning' to be published in the 2016 National Flash Fiction Day Anthology
I have heard that my story 'Sunday Morning', which I read on Sunday at the Bath Fringe event, is to be published in the 2016 NFFD Anthology. First time I have had a story in this anthology. It will be in printed and ebook formats. 50 stories chosen from 500 submissions.
Details here
It's tonight. Reading at the Bath Fringe with Bristol's best writers in 'More Banksy Than Bonnets'
Tonight I'm reading my story Sunday Morning along with the likes of Mel Ciavucco, Chris Fielden, Mark Rutterford, Anita MacCallum, Ellen Waddell, Kevlin Henney, Grace Palmer, Simon Waltho, Heather Child, Gavin Watkins and Juliet Hagan.
Reading with Bristol's Stokes Croft Writers in Bath!
The story I submitted, 'Sunday Morning' for the event 'More Banksy Than Bonnets' was accepted, so I will be reading at the 'Houmourous Short Story Extravaganza' at Burdall's Yard in Bath on Sunday 5 June at 8pm. Tickets £5.
Yesterday was the HULitFest and today is Stroud Short Stories
Yesterday was the most enjoyable Hawkesbury Upton LitFest in South Gloucestershire. Organised by Debbie Young, it is a free one-day LitFest. I was part of a panel discussion, and chaired/MC-ed the short story/flash fiction session. I read my 'Easily Embarrassed' and 'The Note'. Other author readers were Ali Bacon, Daniel Gooding, Jacci Gooding, Jenefer Heap, Sue Johnson, Sophie E. Tallis, Debbie Young and Rosalind Minett.
Tonight is the 11th Stroud Short Stories event - called 'Los Muertos'. As usual it's at the SVA in John Street and is the fifth in succession to have sold out. So there will be 70 people in the audience. Authors reading tonight are Rick Vick, Rommy Collingwood, Ali Bacon, Mark Rutterford, Ken Popple, Jan Petrie, Mel Golding, Jane Gordon-Cumming, Sarah Hitchcock and Tim Byford.
Love this description of my work by author and events organiser Debbie Young
"John writes flash fiction and short stories that are very wide-ranging, often departing from the real world and often quite bonkers, but in a way that heightens understanding of real emotions and situations."
Tomorrow is the free one-day Hawkesbury Upton LitFest
I will be reading short stories and chairing/MC-ing the short stories session, as well as contributing to a panel discussion, at the 2016 Hawkesbury Upton LitFest.
Stroud Short Stories 24 April event 'Los Muertos' is completely sold out.
Stroud Short Stories Sunday 24 April event 'Los Muertos' is completely sold out. The audience will be 70-strong. Leah Grant is reviewing the event for the Good on Paper website.
Evesham Festival of Words ShortList and Judge's Statement now available
The list of the eleven shortlisted stories and their authors, which will appear in the anthology, together with my statement as judge are on the Evesham Festival of Words website now.
Fab evening at Stoke Croft Writers' Talking Tales in Bristol
What a lovely evening last night at the Leftbank Centre in Bristol where I guested at the Stoke Croft Writers event Talking Tales. Some great writing/reading on display, especially from Anita Maccallum, Christie Cluett and Mel Ciavucco. I recommend it. (I read my story 'The Fish it Was that Died')
Eleven short-listed/anthology stories and authors named in Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Competition
The authors of the eleven stories I shortlisted for the Evesham Festival of Words Short Short Competition, and which will appear in a printed anthology, have now been informed of their success. The outright winner, which I have already chosen, will be announced at the Festival on Friday 1 July.
My story to be read at Bristol event on Saturday 16 April 2016
Stokes Croft Writers have chosen my story 'The Fish it was That Died' for me to read at their Talking Tales event on Saturday 16 April at the Leftbank Centre, 128 Cheltenham Road, Bristol, BS6 5RW. Thank you, Stoke Crofts Writers.
2016 Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Competiton - My Work Here is Done
I have now chosen the winner and ten excellent stories for the 2016 Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Competition anthology. I have also written my Judge's Statement. So, over to the organisers now to inform the authors.
Olly Langdon's reading of my story 'Orly' now on the web
Click here to listen to the actor Olly Langdon reading my little story 'Orly' live at Bath's Story Friday at Burdall's Yard in Bath on 1 April 2016.
2016 Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Competition
I am judging this short story competition which is on the theme of 'One Extra Day'. Submissions have now closed and I must choose a winner and up to nine others to be published in an anthology.
Actor Oliver Langdon to read my story 'Orly' at Bath's Story Friday on 1 April
I, or rather my new story 'Orly', will make its debut at Bath Fridays' story reading event this Friday 1 April at Burdall's Yard in Bath at 8pm. Actor Oliver Langdon will read it in the Deep South accent it requires!
The event takes place about four times a year and is Bath's equivalent of Stroud Short Stories.
Link here.
Submissions to Stroud Short Stories 24 April 2016 event have closed
Submissions closed on 19 March. We received 95 stories from 70 authors. My fellow judge Nimue Brown and I have now chosen the ten to be read on the evening.
These will appear on the SSS website soon.
Tickets available from the SVA online in advance only