FAQ

What are ‘SF’, ‘F’, ‘H’ and ‘flash’? 

SF stands for Science Fiction. F stands for Fantasy. H stands for horror. Flash is Flash Fiction, a short story usually under 1000 words, but do check the requirements for each individual listing before submitting.

What is ‘genre’ or ‘speculative’ fiction? 

These terms usually refer to science fiction, fantasy or horror writing. Always check the individual listing, though.

Why haven’t I got published yet?

Do you proof your work carefully? Are you editing it for clichés? Have you workshopped it at your local writers group? Do you send each piece out time and time again until it is accepted? Do you try to keep at least ten pieces out seeking publication at any time? Have you asked successful writers what the problem may be – and listened to their advice with good grace, even if you don’t agree with it? Do you edit your work carefully and prune it to its essence?

If you do all that and still don’t get published, it’s a miracle. But if you do all that and persevere, then it’s unlikely that you’ll continue to be unpublished, in my opinion.

I have a comp/submission call for you. Where do I send details?

Does it charge a fee? Does it require postal entry? Does it require a public vote in order to win? If any of those are the case then I don’t want it. But if it’s free and easy to enter/submit, then thank you! Please check that it isn’t on the calendar already, and then send it to news@cathybryant.co.uk

There won’t be any kind of credit, I’m afraid, as I get sent details from large numbers of people and often submissions are listed on several listings sites, or newsletters that I receive. But thank you for helping to make this a more useful resource for writers.

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