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My twelve days of Christmas – 3 – Online Litmags

As all writers know there is a plethora of online literary magazines out there. Some are long-established and greatly respected; others short-lived. Some are curt in their rejections; others promise more than they deliver.

I have found a home for my work in quite a few of these places and particularly appreciate those that offer a personal response, whether to accept or reject my work.

My online litmag of the year, for its commitment to the writers it publishes, and generous promotion of their work, is

Moonchild Magazine

Moonchild mag.PNG

 

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My twelve days of Christmas – 2 – Publishers

As a writer, I’m delighted to see the rise and rise of independent publishers. My indie publisher of the year is

Galley Beggar PressGalley Beggars

Sam and Elly at Galley Beggars publish brilliant books – I haven’t been disappointed once. And they also respond personally to their customers. Next year they’re doing even more to support writers with their new School offering mentoring, classes and more – read all about it on their website.

 

 

 

 

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My twelve days of Christmas – 1 – Books

It’s the Winter Solstice, so as we turn towards the light I begin my celebration of all people and things creative this past year.

I know the Twelve Days of Christmas should only begin on Christmas Day, but I’m starting now with:

Books

There are so many lists going around, so many plaudits. My favourite book of the year is

Himself by Jess Kidd

You can read my review of it in Electric Literature. I thought it was a cracking read.

Himself cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mr Bosch and his owls

Earlier this month I wrote about joining when The Lonely Crowd, when my story The Wood has Ears, The Field has Eyes was published in the magazine of that name.

I’ve now written an essay about how I came to write the story and you can read it here

That particular story is one of what I hope will be a collection of short stories inspired by the work of Hieronymus Bosch. Read more about how that came about in my essay.

Owls feature in Bosch’s work and in mine. They are beautiful creatures – but are they always benign?


Statue on flying buttress, St John's Cathedral, Den Bosch.jpgStatue on flying buttress, St John’s Cathedral, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
(Photo: Cath Barton)

 

While you’re here, do hop over to my Stories page for links to my latest flash fiction on-line.

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The Plankton Collector

For those of you eagerly awaiting publication of my novella The Plankton Collector, there is an extract in issue #116 of New Welsh Reader, published on 1st December.

New Welsh Review #116

It is an issue celebrating the novella. And more.

Subscribe now and get a free gift!