I'm posting something a little different this week... I am a big advocate for entering writing competitions with carefully constructed sentences and paragraphs, and I'm regularly posting details of competitions on my Facebook page. 

However, one of my blog readers this week said she wasn't on Facebook, but would still like to know about some competitions she could try her hand in. So, as requested, here are some writing competitions which have April closing dates. Good luck all, let me know how you get on.

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Worgle Flomp Humour Poetry Contest
For funny and spoof poetry
Prizes $100 x 10 and 1 x $1000
Free entry
Closing date 1st April (no joke!)

BBC Nature Wildlife Writer of the Year
For short nature writing up to 800 words - no fiction or poetry
Prizes often include a conservation themed trip abroad
Free entry
www.discoverwildlife.com
Email [email protected] 

Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest
Free entryDeliberately bad opening lines to novels
www.bulwer-lytton.com
Closing date 15th April

Deddington Writing Competition
Short stories up to 2,000 words and poetry up to 36 lines
Prizes: £100, £50, £25 in each category, web publication
Entry fee TBC
Email [email protected] for more details

Divine Chocolate Poetry Competition
Poems on the theme of 'chocolate is something to cherish'
Three age categories: 7-11, 12-16 and 17-adult
Deadline 30th April
Entries can be emailed to [email protected]
www.divinechocolate.com/poetry

Grey Hen Poetry Competition
For poems up to 40 lines by women over 60 years old
Prizes £100, £50, £25, web publication
Entry fee: £3 or £10 for 3
Closing date 30th April
www.greyhenpress.com 

Tom Howard / John H Reid Short Story Contest
Short stories, essays or other prose up to 5000 words
Prizes are $150-$3000
Entry fee is a little higher but could be worth it! $16
Closing date 30th April
Email: [email protected]
www.winningwriters.com/tomstory

Bristol Short Story Prize
There is no set theme or subject
Stories should be a max of 4000 words
Entry fee is £8
Closing date 30th April
www.bristolprize.co.uk

Limnisa Bluethumbnail Short Story Competition
First prize is a week's retreat in Greece!!!
Any theme or subject - max 3000 words
Entry fee is £6
Closing date 1st April
Blue Thumbnail

Good luck - go for it! Let me know how you get on...

Until next week... when I start the April Blog Challenge! I'd better get planning...

Lou x

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Born To Be A Tourist

Image courtesy of Kaarc

Today, 21st March is World Poetry Day. Every year on this date (since 1999) UNESCO celebrates poems and poets and I've joined forces with a writer local to me to bring you new material to celebrate in poetic style. GK Kingsley, a Northamptonshire poet, has entered the spirit of World Poetry Day by penning a something especially to celebrate today.

According to GK Kingsley, her quest is "to sow seeds that make people think about their lives, with bite size bits of poetry that are accessible to all. Some are humorous, some are thought provoking. But either way, it’s never a long haul trawl through my stuff.”

This poet has a following from around the world, from Australia to Hawaii to Alaska. She publishes a new poem three times a week on her website. I really like 'Double Trouble' and 'Make Life A Breeze', two show pieces beautifully displayed - not just lines of text!

Entitled ‘Love’, this specially written poem seeks to understand that most universal of ideas that touches all of our lives.  Enjoy. 

Thanks GK - great to collaborate with you, and I wish you a happy World Poetry Day!

See more from GK Kingsley:

Website:  www.gkkingsley.com                       Pinterest: gkkingsley

Email: [email protected]                              Twitter: @gkkingsley

Facebook: gk.kingsley

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Tomorrow I'll be posting my regular weekly writing blog - this one was a bonus to celebrate World Poetry Day, you lucky things!

Lou x

Find me on Facebook
...And on Twitter
Born To Be A Tourist

Images from GK Kingsley's website and Off Timetable

I'm bored, waiting for my dinner to cook. While the butternut squash and chicken dish roasts away, here are some quick poems to welcome in the not-so-loved day for being in love. Happy Valentines everyone, and don't forget to tell him or her you love them throughout the year, not just tomorrow!

                              -x-x-x-

Roses are red, violets are blue, there's just one thing I want, so come see Lulu!

Roses are red, violets are blue, say 'hasta luego' and not 'adieu'...

Roses are red, violets are blue, you know how I take it, so stick on a brew!

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'll stick by you, like Ultra Bond glue...


Lou x

Find me on Facebook
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Born To Be A Tourist - Anti-Valentines Special this week!

Image courtesy of Cellep

If Santa was a Woman

If Santa was a woman
The presents would be beautifully wrapped
She’d wear Ugg Boots and much more fur,
And don a classier hat!

If Santa was a woman
She’d swap party shoes with her elves
She’d make sure the family was dressed and fed
If they couldn’t manage it themselves.

If Santa was a woman
She’d not eat mince pies offered on a plate
A female Santa would watch her calories
Right up until the special date.

If Santa was a woman
Her special deliveries would be efficient and quick
By not forgetting door keys and taking a map
And not driving like a lunatic.

If Santa was a woman
Mr Christmas would hold the fort
Peeling sprouts and basting the turkey
Singing to himself, with a glass of port.

If Santa was a woman
Christmas morning would be full of cheer
All done, she’d relax in a bubble bath
And think “I’m glad that’s done for another year!”

Gracias a Roberto por la lectura de la prueba!

Merry Christmas all!

Lou x

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...And on Twitter


Holly image courtesy of Graphic Soft, Santa image from WallCoo