Day two in my new life as an aspiring ‘out of work’ author, I won’t despair just yet – only been unemployed for a few days lol. You will pleased to know that I have managed to keep my caffeine intake to only three cups. It is a constant struggle…
On the subject of caffeine. I found that Costa (my fav brand – costa if you are reading this – I love your coffee – sponsor me) have a short story competition, the only draw back is that it needs to be submitted by the 3rd August! So, yesterday I started a story but after 1,800 words I realised I had the potential to make a novel out of this one so had to put it to one side. Luckily, as previously explained in blog posts – I have an abundance of ideas (the sleeping part of my brain has just rolled its eyes – yes, yes – I know you are suffering from poor sleep due to my creative side – I will calm down… soon, I promise!) so I picked another and ran with that. Pretty pleased with the outcome – managed to knock out 4,100 words today, so just need to edit it and put it some kind of shape before submitting. If there are any authors reading this – I would like to hear what you do about submissions for short stories to competitions – particularly what you do about editing? Do you get it to the best point you can – do you let someone edit for you?
My day has been mainly taken up with this, I am doing ongoing research on publishers and agents that accept submissions. When I get to the point of submitting my book – I will post the list of the ones I have found. I am still unsure if I should just self-publish, I think I will see if any of the above are actually interested lol.
Also, today. I have heard that my other half has managed to get his work break confirmed so in February we will flying over to New Zealand – so excited!!!!!! It just so happens that book two or three is going to be based here, so really it is research (wonder if I can claim that back on expenses??)
signing off for today. hope you are enjoying the blog. I look forward to the day I can share some news on the competition results and if I manage to get my book published.
My life might be uncertain at the moment but it’s also very exciting. x
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Published by C.L. Peache
After living in various parts of the UK, including Wakefield, York, Derby, and the Yorkshire Dales, I now live in Nottinghamshire. I enjoy reading, writing (of course), travelling, walking, kayaking, watching all forms of motorbike racing and socialising (networking).
At the beginning of my writing journey, I started a blog which tracks the ups and downs of writing life. ((I need to mention that my blog posts are usually visited by ‘Brackets’!))
A fantasy novel; A Festival of Time: Book One: Escape was my last self-published novel. I’m currently working on editing book two ready for publication and writing book three. Click on ‘books’ on my website to find out more and follow me on social media for updates.
In 2021 I signed an online publishing contact with Saga Fiction. I have three stories published with them and three coming soon!
A bit about my writing journey so far…
I have a story in, The Brinwade Chronicles, which was created with my writing group, the Fosseway Writers. This was published in September 2020 and is a collection of 28 Gothic stories by 13 writers. I’ve also contributed to a Fosseway collaborate novel, Burning Old School Ties and we have another idea in the pipeline!
In February 2019 I was lucky enough to travel to New Zealand. During my time there I wrote a journal about our bucket list 43-day adventure. This has now been turned into a travel guide: 187 Kilometres, turn left - now available on Amazon.
A Christmas Wish, is my third self-published story, which came to life after I’d published a Game of Souls in December 2018. My short story, A night lost to the past, won third place in the Newark Book Festival 2018 writing competition, which was run by the Fosseway Writers group. This was well received, and many readers asked me to develop and expand the story. A Christmas Wish and A night lost to the past have now been reedited and have been published with Saga Fiction.
Never one to let my fingers rest, and in true author style, I have a couple of other projects itching to have their turn! A horror/crime thriller, along the lines of Silence of the Lambs, one of my favourite stories. And a psychological thriller series - book one based in York, book two in Jersey, and book three in New Zealand. One day I will get around to finishing them…
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C.L. Peache 
You will be fine……. keep writing! X
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Thanks Steve. My fingers may need a rest soon lol x
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These days I tend to get stories as polished as I can on my own, when submitting to magazines/competitions, unless my writers’ group is due to meet, at which point I’ll use that as my critique story for that quarter. If you can find a good writers’ group, it can be useful to share work and get feedback.
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Thats really useful, thank you. I am intending to join a local writers group – the one i entered the competition for. Like you said, great to get feedback and share ideas.
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