A new novella

I have a new novella published!

Between the Virgin and the Sea, a magical realism story featuring a boy who dreams his future, is now published in Novella Express #3 by Leamington Books, an Edinburgh-based indie publisher.

You can buy the book, containing novellas by three authors, here

Alternatively – or as well! – you can buy the ebook of Between the Virgin and the Sea here

I hope you enjoy it!

New year, new writing

For myself, I have a new novella being published soon, I’m finally getting back to editing my novel-in-progress and I’m taking part in a workshop on lucid dreaming for creative writing.

For you, I’ve a little writing competition coming up. Prizes: publication here plus a book and chocolate.

Check back soon for more on all of this.

Happy New Year – Happy New Writing

Dewpond on the Deri above Abergavenny

I’m Author of the Month!

Remiss of me not to post this sooner, as July is rushing to its end. But better late than never.

I’m Author of the Month for July with Welsh Libraries.

Read their interview with me here.

It’s lovely to get more coverage for my book In the Sweep of the Bay, and also to do my little bit to encourage more young people to read. Our public library service is a treasure for children and adults alike. Use it or lose it!

Meanwhile, you can still buy In the Sweep of the Bay direct from the publisher, Louise Walters Books, or from any good bookshop.

My first book, The Plankton Collector, is also still available, and Waterstones currently have it on offer in their sale at just £2!

Happy summer reading, everyone!

Disclaimer: Not a book by me!

Flash fiction competition!

We’re through the dark days of January – hurrah!

Louise Walters is promoting my novella In the Sweep of the Bay as her Book of the Month in February – both paperback and ebook are available from her website at reduced prices and the ebook is 99p/99c everywhere for the whole of the month – paperbacks will be signed and each comes with a free flash fiction story, one of my Untold Stories of Ted and Rene.

To coincide with this I’m running a flash fiction competition. The winner will have their story published here on my website AND (courtesy of Louise Walters) will receive a copy of my book, or, if they already have it, can nominate a friend to receive a copy..

Here are the rules:

  • Write a flash fiction of no more than 500 words, not including the title (no minimum).
  • Include the words bay, gull, pot and bicycle in the story.
  • End the story with a sentence that is 4 words long.
  • Follow the usual rules about content – nothing defamatory please.
  • One story per entrant.
  • Send your story to me at cath.barton@talktalk.net by midnight (UK time) on Sunday 13th February.
  • Attach the story as a .doc or .docx document. No pdfs or other formats, please.
  • In the subject line of your email type the words Submission: Bay competition. Nothing else.
  • Do not put the title of your story anywhere in the email – all stories will be anonymised before judging.
  • Entries are welcome from writers anywhere in the world.
  • I will choose and publish an anonymous shortlist by Sunday 20th February, and a winner and one or two runners-up by Sunday 27th February.
  • I will contact shortlisted writers before publication of the shortlist, and the winner and runner(s)-up before I announce them.
  • The winner will be offered online publication of their story, plus a copy of In the Sweep of the Bay – paperback or ebook in the UK, but ebook only elsewhere.
  • I will acknowledge receipt of all entries.
  • Any entry that does not follow these rules will be disqualified.
  • Sorry, I cannot offer feedback on unsuccessful entries or enter into correspondence about them.
  • Sorry this all sounds so formal – the rules are to ensure fairness.

Photograph copyright Cath Barton

I encourage you to use the prompt words imaginatively – have fun with the challenge and I look forward to reading your stories.

Celebrating a book birthday

My novella In the Sweep of the Bay is a year old today. It’s alive and kicking and still available to buy from Louise Walters Books in paperback or ebook. It’s an ideal Christmas present, alone or in a bundle with other LWB books. Do your shopping here – https://www.louisewaltersbooks.co.uk/shop-1

I’m working on my long-promised circus novel: its working title is Thistles in the Cirrus. Intrigued?

I’m off for a mini writing retreat in a caravan.

More news soon…