I began this as an Art, Craft, Knitting blog, but among my other interests is Writing. I've always enjoyed writing, despite the ritual humiliation of having to read out a piece of my prose to classmates- a Raymond Chandler pastiche, ridiculously sophisticated for a fourteen year old! Thanks, Mr King, RIP. My secondary school English Teacher.

So in 2017 I joined 'Croydon Writers,' a local writing group.Despite my initial terrors around sharing my writing with others and receiving criticism, positive and negative, overall the experience has really helped me to develop and I encourage anyone who feels that they 'have a book in them' to take steps toward getting it out. A writers' group can provide support in numerous ways.

In 2018 I had 3 pieces, a  short story, a memoir piece and a poem, published in the Croydon Writer's Anthology, 'The Trouble with young writers,' a quote from Somerset Maughm, which ends, 'is that most of them are over 60.'

https://www.rainbowvalleybooks.com/the-trouble-with-young-writers

I've a few pieces in the 2023 Anthology, 'Writing', more details here:

https://www.croydonwriters.com/test1

Since then, I've written Dance Reviews for Croydonites New Festival of Theatre , and spent a not inconsiderable amount of money entering competitions without success. Until recently...

A new venture based in Bristol, 'Glittery Literary' asks for content and the cost of entry is minimal. To my amazement, a 400 word piece of mine entered in to the 'Shimmering Short'category came second, and features in the third edition of the Glittery Literary Anthology. The volunteer team who produce this book do so with the aim of benefitting children's charities. I enjoyed reading the other submissions and they reflect a wide range of subjects and experiences.It is open to anyone in the world to submit writing in English. Details how to submit on the website.

https://www.glitteryliterary.com/

If 

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HHMMRJD           

                                     I've just been informed that a short piece of mine has been accepted for a forthcoming anthology by these people:

https://www.bagofbonespress.com/

£13 on Amazon

'

The editor of Bag of Bones mentioned a website called 'Secret Attic,' so I entered a short story and it is going to be in  booklet #28.

They run several different competitions, including for Flash Fiction and Drabbles (100 word pieces).

More about them, here:

https://www.secret-attic.co.uk/

You can buy the booklet here: It is good quality, A4 sized, with a soft cardboard cover,

https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/various-contributors/secret-attic-booklet-28/paperback/product-8g8ng6.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Came second in a Lets Write contest at https://www.fictionette.co.uk/

Prompt was, 'And then you were gone'