annethology
  • Home
    • About Annethology
    • About me >
      • A little more about me
    • About my books
    • Author talks
    • Contact me
    • Forthcoming events
    • World Mental Health Day
    • Privacy
    • Sign up for my newsletter
  • Debut novel and encore
    • Sugar and Snails >
      • Acknowledgements
      • Blog tour, Q&A's and feature articles >
        • Birthday blog tour
        • S&S on tour 2022
      • Early endorsements
      • Events >
        • Launch photos
        • Launch party videos
      • in pictures
      • Media
      • If you've read the book
      • Polari
      • Reading group questions
      • Reviews
      • In the media
    • Underneath >
      • Endorsements and reviews
      • Launch party and events
      • Pictures
      • Questions for book groups
      • The stories underneath the novel
  • Matilda Windsor series
    • The accidental series
    • Matilda Windsor >
      • What readers say
      • For book groups
      • Interviews, articles and features
      • Matty on the move
      • Who were you in 1990?
      • Asylum lit
      • Matilda Windsor media
    • Stolen Summers >
      • Stolen Summers reviews
    • Lyrics for the Loved Ones
  • Short stories
    • Somebody’s Daughter
    • Becoming Someone (anthology) >
      • Becoming Someone (video readings)
      • Becoming Someone reviews
      • Becoming Someone online book chat
    • Print and downloads
    • Read it online
    • Quick reads
  • Free ebook
  • Annecdotal
    • Annecdotal blog
    • Annecdotal Press
    • Articles >
      • Print journalism
      • Where psychology meets fiction
    • Fictional therapists
    • Reading and reviews >
      • Reviews A to H
      • Reviews I to M
      • Reviews N to Z
      • Nonfiction
      • Themed quotes
      • Reading around the world
  • Shop
    • Inspired Quill (my publisher)
    • Bookshop.org (affiliate link)
    • Amazon UK
    • Amazon US
    • books2read

Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

Not all may have prizes … but how does funding play a part in who enters the race?

16/10/2018

8 Comments

 
With the Man Booker Prize winner announced tonight, my fingers are crossed for Washington Black, although I’d raise a cheer for either of the other contenders I’ve reviewed (The Mars Room and Milkman). Right now, my thoughts are also with those authors who not only don’t succeed in dazzling the judges, but don’t even get the chance to step onto the stage.
 
You’re familiar with those email scams, aren’t you? Congratulations, you’ve won a prize! Just send us a cheque to cover administration costs, and we’ll deliver it. Feels good, doesn’t it? Until you wonder whether the winnings will cover your fees. But that wouldn’t happen in the literary world, would it? Awards are dispensed purely on merit, surely? No paying for prizes there?

Picture
As a small-press published author, I know my books won’t get the attention the big players can deliver, nor am I sufficiently deluded to consider my novels Man Booker material. But you might expect I’d have the opportunity to try for one of those prizes. And indeed I might, if a small non-profit like Inspired Quill could cough up the free copies plus the thousands of pounds, in some cases, in submission, longlist and shortlist fees.
 
As Charles Boyle, publisher of
Murmur, blogged recently, some prodigious prizes are simply beyond the budget of the small independent press. Most chillingly, even if they remortgage the house and/or scrabble between the sofa cushions for the funds, they’re unlikely to recoup the outlay in increased sales.
 
It’s sad, but not really surprising to anyone who’s noticed we live in a winner-takes-all world. Blessed be the rich, for they will inherit the assets of the majority, or whatever it was that Jesus-guy didn’t say. Fortunately, some prizes are more democratic, so I am particularly grateful to
Polari for shortlisting my debut novel at a cost of only one print copy for each of the five judges.
 
Short story prizes are fortunately more accessible, perhaps because only a few, such as the
BBC Short Story Award, have much clout. Nevertheless, with submission fees approaching €20 in some cases, multiple entries can be a gamble with odds as poor as roulette. So it’s essential we celebrate our successes, however small.

Picture

While winning the
Flash Fiction Rodeo might just about buy you a burger and/or a book, it’s no cost to enter. All you need is a bit of imagination and access to the internet to submit. So why not saddle up? Even if you don’t gain the $25, you’ve practised your writing skills. What’s not to like?

There are a couple of twisted travel tales in my forthcoming short story collection, Becoming Someone, including one that won a medium-sized prize. (Apologies for clumsy terminology: I’m stuck for a word that doesn’t overly inflate the importance – hint: it’s not the report or the BBC – without belittling the less prestigious.) And a couple of stories that won smaller prizes too, such as the one that brings you this quote:
Picture

Thanks to all readers and reviewers who support those authors and publishers priced out of some prizes. As a tiny token of my appreciation, I’ll be randomly selecting one of the subscribers to my author email – and if you’re not signed up,
you can do so here – to receive a signed copy of my anthology (anywhere in the world).

Picture
Picture



I’m also seeking more bloggers to join my Brilliant Book Bloggers email list and, if you like short stories, to consider requesting a review copy of my book.


My apologies to anyone who’s experienced technical problems with my blog recently. The bouncer hanging around the comments doorway has been getting above himself, putting random visitors to a ‘spot the staircase’ test (which he makes extra dastardly by failing to show the full instructions) and/or suggesting there’s been an error in submission. However, he’s all bluster and you can easily dismiss him by tapping the screen. Until he’s completed his retraining in customer care, it’s probably worth saving your comment (the easiest way being to press CONTROL A followed by CONTROL V) or take the conversation somewhere he can’t follow us like
my contact page (and I’ll pull rank on the bouncer to enter it in a comment) or Twitter. Thanks for your patience – if you still have any that is!

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
8 Comments
Robbie Cheadle
17/10/2018 05:56:03 pm

I do like short stories and will have more time late November. Please email me and let me know when it is out. I will buy a kindle copy and boost your kindle sales by 1.

Reply
Annecdotist
18/10/2018 11:40:48 am

Thanks, Robbie, that’s very kind. Also worth noting that my debut novel Kindle version is likely to be on special offer around that time.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
18/10/2018 11:44:18 am

This is an eye-opening article about literary prizes, Anne. I don't suppose I've ever thought about what hoops may have been jumped through for books to win some of these prizes. I probably just assumed all books were eligible, though I'd given no thought to how they might have been selected. That they are only available to those with the ability to pay shouldn't surprise me. I had thought the prizes were awarded on merit. The poor certainly have no chance of inheriting the earth. They are locked out at every door.
I assume you have entered the travel contest set by Sherri. Travel plays a big role in many of your stories. I've only just read the contest and popped over from your comment. I'm thinking about travel through reading, the topic of one of your recent posts. I've not done a lot of the physical kind.
The "Becoming Someone" 'adverts' you've created look great. I am so looking forward to reading your book. You have made readers some very generous offers. I wish you many sales and happy readers. I already know I'll be one.

Reply
Annecdotist
18/10/2018 05:48:30 pm

Thanks, Norah and I'm sure you'll be pleased to note that this time your comment did not go to spam!!!
Yes, it’s basically the publisher pays to be considered, but there are also rules about how many books a particular publisher can submit, although the fine detail is beyond me. Interestingly I read something else today saying that, before the Man Booker Prize winner was announced, the shortlisted novel that had sold most copies had only sold around 5000. Obviously that’s a number I’d be very happy with myself but doesn’t really merit the publisher’s investment – and that’s before we even consider the time and effort the writer’s put in!
I certainly intend to submit to Sherri’s competition – I’m sure I’ll have lots of ideas once I can free my mind to find them. A lot of time gets sucked into preparing for the book launch. Although I’m clueless about Facebook I’m hoping to have a virtual launch on publication day there so that my international friends can be part of it, so hope you will be able to drop in on the 23rd.
Glad you liked the adverts. I’m pleased with them, and enjoyed making them, but again it’s all time! I can’t take credit for them all, however, as the quotations and the banner I’ve been using are down to my publisher’s efforts.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
21/10/2018 06:43:16 am

Five thousand copies doesn't sound a lot for a prize winning book, but as you say, perhaps we'd both be happy with that number. I certainly would.
How exciting to have a launch on Facebook. If I can (figure out how to ) be there, I will for sure.

Annecdotist
21/10/2018 07:21:48 am

Doesn't, does it, although hopefully the winner will have a lot more now (I haven't checked the latest stats).
I hope you can take part in the launch. I hope I've set it up correctly. More on that to come in a post tomorrow, when I'll also be soliciting your advice on reading charities. I have a sense you've blogged about just the kind I want to support.

Charli Mills
23/10/2018 12:05:57 am

Prizes are part of the marketing game and a reminder of what it was like to get into publishing in the days before other options. I'd like to think our wee prizes at the Ranch promote literary art for all. Thanks for including the contests on your blog!

Reply
Annecdotist
23/10/2018 07:28:18 am

Indeed, Charli, and the 99 word limit means anyone can have a go.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Free ebook: click the image to claim yours.
    Picture
    Available now
    Picture
    The poignant prequel to Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home
    Picture
    Find a review
    Picture
    Fictional therapists
    Picture
    Picture
    About Anne Goodwin
    Picture
    My published books
    entertaining fiction about identity, mental health and social justice
    Picture
    My third novel, published May 2021
    Picture
    My debut novel shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize
    Picture
    Picture
    My second novel published May 2017.
    Picture
    Short stories on the theme of identity published 2018
    Anne Goodwin's books on Goodreads
    Sugar and Snails Sugar and Snails
    reviews: 32
    ratings: 52 (avg rating 4.21)

    Underneath Underneath
    reviews: 24
    ratings: 60 (avg rating 3.17)

    Becoming Someone Becoming Someone
    reviews: 8
    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.56)

    GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4 GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4
    reviews: 4
    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.44)

    The Best of Fiction on the Web The Best of Fiction on the Web
    reviews: 3
    ratings: 3 (avg rating 4.67)

    2022 Reading Challenge

    2022 Reading Challenge
    Anne has read 2 books toward their goal of 100 books.
    hide
    2 of 100 (2%)
    view books
    Picture
    Annecdotal is where real life brushes up against the fictional.  
    Picture
    Annecdotist is the blogging persona of Anne Goodwin: 
    reader, writer,

    slug-slayer, tramper of moors, 
    recovering psychologist, 
    struggling soprano, 
    author of three fiction books.

    LATEST POSTS HERE
    I don't post to a schedule, but average  around ten reviews a month (see here for an alphabetical list), 
    some linked to a weekly flash fiction, plus posts on my WIPs and published books.  

    Your comments are welcome any time any where.

    Get new posts direct to your inbox ...

    Enter your email address:

    or click here …

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Tweets by @Annecdotist
    Picture
    New short story, “My Dirty Weekend”
    Picture
    Let’s keep in touch – subscribe to my newsletter
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Popular posts

    • Compassion: something we all need
    • Do spoilers spoil?
    • How to create a convincing fictional therapist
    • Instructions for a novel
    • Looking at difference, embracing diversity
    • Never let me go: the dilemma of lending books
    • On loving, hating and writers’ block
      On Pop, Pirates and Plagiarism
    • READIN' for HER reviews
    • Relishing the cuts
    • The fast first draft
    • The tragedy of obedience
    • Writers and therapy: a love-hate relationship?

    Categories/Tags

    All
    Animals
    Annecdotist Hosts
    Annecdotist On Tour
    Articles
    Attachment Theory
    Author Interviews
    Becoming Someone
    Being A Writer
    Blogging
    Bodies
    Body
    Bookbirthday
    Books For Writers
    Bookshops
    CB Book Group
    Character
    Childhood
    Christmas
    Classics
    Climate Crisis
    Coming Of Age
    Counsellors Cafe
    Creative Writing Industry
    Creativity
    Cumbria
    Debut Novels
    Disability
    Editing
    Emotion
    Ethics
    Ethis
    Family
    Feedback And Critiques
    Fictional Psychologists & Therapists
    Food
    Friendship
    Futuristic
    Gender
    Genre
    Getting Published
    Giveaways
    Good Enough
    Grammar
    Gratitude
    Group/organisational Dynamics
    Hero’s Journey
    History
    Humour
    Identity
    Illness
    Independent Presses
    Institutions
    International Commemorative Day
    Jane Eyre
    Kidney Disease
    Language
    LGBTQ
    Libraries
    Live Events
    Lyrics For The Loved Ones
    Marketing
    Matilda Windsor
    Memoir
    Memory
    Mental Health
    Microfiction
    Motivation
    Music
    MW Prequel
    Names
    Narrative Voice
    Nature / Gardening
    Networking
    Newcastle
    Nonfiction
    Nottingham
    Novels
    Pandemic
    Peak District
    Perfect Match
    Poetry
    Point Of View
    Politics
    Politics Current Affairs
    Presentation
    Privacy
    Prizes
    Psychoanalytic Theory
    Psychology
    Psycholoists Write
    Psychotherapy
    Race
    Racism
    Rants
    Reading
    Real Vs Imaginary
    Religion
    Repetitive Strain Injury
    Research
    Reviewing
    Romance
    Satire
    Second Novels
    Settings
    Sex
    Shakespeare
    Short Stories General
    Short Stories My Published
    Short Stories Others'
    Siblings
    Snowflake
    Somebody's Daughter
    Stolen Summers
    Storytelling
    Structure
    Sugar And Snails
    Technology
    The
    The Guestlist
    Therapy
    TikTok
    TNTB
    Toiletday
    Tourism
    Toxic Positivity
    Transfiction
    Translation
    Trauma
    Unconscious
    Unconscious, The
    Underneath
    Voice Recognition Software
    War
    WaSBihC
    Weather
    Work
    Writing Process
    Writing Technique

    Archives

    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Picture
    BLOGGING COMMUNITIES
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from havens.michael34, romana klee, mrsdkrebs, Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It., adam & lucy, dluders, Joybot, Hammer51012, jorgempf, Sherif Salama, eyspahn, raniel diaz, E. E. Piphanies, scaredofbabies, Nomadic Lass, paulternate, Tony Fischer Photography, archer10 (Dennis), slightly everything, impbox, jonwick04, country_boy_shane, dok1, Out.of.Focus, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region, Elvert Barnes, guillenperez, Richard Perry, jamesnaruke, Juan Carlos Arniz Sanz, El Tuerto, kona99, maveric2003, !anaughty!, Patrick Denker, David Davies, hamilcar_south, idleformat, Dave Goodman, Sharon Mollerus, photosteve101, La Citta Vita, A Girl With Tea, striatic, carlosfpardo, Damork, Elvert Barnes, UNE Photos, jurvetson, quinn.anya, BChristensen93, Joelk75, ashesmonroe, albertogp123, >littleyiye<, mudgalbharat, Swami Stream, Dicemanic, lovelihood, anyjazz65, Tjeerd, albastrica mititica, jimmiehomeschoolmom, joshtasman, tedeytan, striatic, goforchris, torbakhopper, maggibautista, andreboeni, snigl3t, rainy city, frankieleon