Two flash pieces published in 'Barely Casting a Shadow' Anthology
Two short pieces 'The Feather' and 'The Valley' have been published in the Reflex Fiction Anthology Volume One entitled 'Barely Casting a Shadow'.
Buy the anthology here
Talk to the Society of Authors
On Wednesday I gave a talk on The State of the Short Story to the Gloucestershire Chapter of the Society of Authors at the Amberley Inn, unsurprisingly in Amberley. I also read my flash piece 'Boyfriends' and my short story 'Da'.
Stroud Short Stories 20 May 2018
We received a record-equalling 128 submissions for the 20 May 2018 SSS event. Ali Bacon co-judged with me on this occasion. We chose stories by Nick Browne, Joann Campbell, Sarah Chapman, Val Ormrod, James Northern, Jason Jackson, Rick Vick, Steve Wheeler, Judith Gunn and Nastasya Parker.
The event sold out of tickets in just 5 days.
All info here - http://stroudshortstories.blogspot.co.uk/
Hawkesbury Upton LitFest 21 April 2018
I had a great time at Debbie Young's Hawkesbury Upton LitFest on Saturday 21 April. I chaired the short story session and read myself. I read with and chaired some brilliant writers - Ali Bacon, Nastasya Parker, Melanie Golding. Jenefer Heap, Ellie Stevenson, Deborah Jones, Mark Rutterford and Martin Brown.
I read my little stories Boyfriends, In Those Days and The First Time at her Place.
Cabinet of Heed publishes 'You're Very Beautiful'
The online literary journal The Cabinet of Heed has published my little story 'You're Very Beautiful' in its Science Fiction Special.
It's here - https://cabinetofheed.wordpress.com/2018/04/17/youre-very-beautiful-john-holland/
The Molotov Cocktail publishes 'Fat Man'
Delighted that my flash piece 'Fat Man' has been published online today in Volume 8 Issue 17 of The Molotov Cocktail, a US online literary zine.
It's here - https://themolotovcocktail.com/vol-8/vol-8-issue-17/fat-man/
Dorset Fiction Award have published two of my stories in their anthology Deceiving Light
Audio of me reading 'Lips' at Story Friday on 9 March 2018 in Bath
Here I am reading 'Lips' in front of a lovely audience at Burdalls Yard in Bath for Story Friday.
http://www.awordinyourear.org.uk/storyfridayarchive/2018-2/home-march/
Dorset Fiction Award to publish two of my stories in its first printed anthology
The Dorset Fiction Award's first printed anthology, soon to be published, will include two of my stories which were shortlisted in its two competitions to date - 'Orly' and 'How to Improve Productivity'. More info to follow.
US zine The Molotov Cocktail accepts 'Fat Man' for publication
Very happy that my little story 'Fat Man' has been accepted by the American literary journal The Molotov Cocktail for publication online. Should be soon too!
19 March Talk to Society of Authors POSTPONED DUE TO BAD WEATHER/ROAD CONDITIONS
Disappointing but the talk will be re-scheduled.
Story Friday in Bath 9 March 2018
I was delighted to read my story 'Lips' at Story Friday in Burdalls Yard in Bath on 9 March. I was in the company of some excellent writer/performers including Elaine Miles and Steve Tuffin. The stories were recorded and will, the fullness of time, appear here -
'Suppose' accepted by the Cabinet of Heed literary journal.
The online literary journal The Cabinet of Heed has accepted my story 'Suppose' for its 8th edition due out late April/early May. Fab! The cabinet Heed makes its decisions in a week. A week! Setting the standard.
Ellipsis Zine Two has been published. It contains my flash piece 'Boyfriends'
My flash piece 'Boyfiends' has been published in the literary journal Ellipsis Zine Two.
The 20 May 2018 Stroud Short Stories is open for submissions its 16th event
Stroud Short Stories is open until 14 April for submissions to our 16th event on 20 May at the SVA in Stroud. As ever it's free to submit and is for Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire authors only. The ten stories chosen will be read to a capacity audience of 70 at the SVA in Stroud.
All info here -
Reading at Bath's Story Friday event on Friday 9 March 2018
I have been selected to read my story 'Lips' at the next Story Friday in Bath. The theme of the event is 'home'. It's at Burdall's Yard, 7A Anglo Terrace, Bath BA1 5NH. It starts at 8pm and is £5 at the door.
All info here -
'Iodine' published in The Bangor Literary Journal
Highly Commended in its 40 word flash fiction competition, my wee flash 'Iodine' has now been published by the Bangor Literary Journal.
It's here ON PAGE 62 -
'This Dark Window' published with an illustration by brilliant artist Bonnie Helen Hawkins
Bonnie Helen Hawkins selected my story 'This Dark Window' for her 52 Crows project and has illustrated it wonderfully on her website.
Here is is -
http://www.bonniehelenhawkins.com/single-post/2018/02/19/52-Crows---Week-8
'Parliamentary Statistics' published by The Cabinet of Heed
The online literary journal The Cabinet of Heed has published my piece 'Parliamentary Statistics' in its issue No.5.
Here it is -
https://cabinetofheed.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/parliamentary-statistics-john-holland/
Highly Commended by Bangor Literary Journal
At the last minute I found out about a 40 word flash fiction competition run by Bangor Literary Journal. I entered and was Highly Commended for my tiny piece 'Iodine', which will be published in an online anthology.
https://thebangorliteraryjournal.com/2018/02/17/forty-words-competition-winners-announced/