I just realised that even though I’ve mentioned a hell of a lot of competitions and intiatives that I’ve entered, I’ve not come back to you about any of them! Fail.

I’m sure you’ve guess that since I’ve not come bouncing into view with big grins, capital letters and exclamation points, that I’ve not won anything. You’d be right, but I feel it’s important to pause, take stock and remind myself of what I have done, particularly at times like this in which it feels like I’ve done nothing at all.

So…

January
Full Circle, a short story submitted to Flash500
~The closing date for this competition was 31 March so judging will be happening now. I’m still waiting to hear back from these folk.
Silk Over Razor Blades, a novel submitted to the Amazon Breakthough Novel Award
~I didn’t make it through to the next round of judging. I’m not too devastated over that considering that pitching is not my strongest point and that’s how the entries were judged. It just highlights where I need to do the work.
Shackle of Gold, a short story submitted to Chudleigh Phoenix
~The closing date for this comp was 31 January so I need to chase it up really. Then again, I’m sure I would have heard back from them if I’d won. o.O

February
Silk Over Razor Blades, submitted to TorUK’s open submissions and to WEM’s Critical Reads Scheme
~TorUK: Another one I’ve not heard back from, though I’d expect this to take in the region of 12 weeks before I get a response. Still, I’ll double check I’ve not missed anything.
WEM Critical Reads: I’m a little disappointed over this one as it was just for a critique. Though the entry criteria is such that I’m probably not on a low enough income to get passed the gate keeper. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway. O.o
Shackle of Gold, short story to WEM’s Mentor Scheme
~This is my second entry to the mentor scheme, with a different story too and I’ve been unsuccessful once more. Either the competition is just SO strong that I’m out of luck, or my work just isn’t of the standard they’re looking for. Or both. Either way, I need to take another look at my writings and see what needs improving.

March
No submissions

April (so far)
Silk Over Razor Blades, The Affair and Clash Of The Animal Kings, all pitched to Carina Press during their open Twitter event last week.
~I haven’t heard back from any of those editors, so it appears that none of them were moved enough to pick up the stories for accelerated feedback. Saying that, I can still submit through their normal channels, so I think that might be next on my list.

There. Not so bad as I thought, but not so great as I was hoping. My aim is to keep submitting, to keep sending my work out there and this list tells me that I’ve not done enough of that. More, more, more! I can’t win anything or progress if I don’t make the effort. So… that’s my mission for this month. At least four submissions (that’s one a week).

I’ve already made a good start with my short story for the revenge competition but I can’t stop there. Need to do more. Go, go, go!