I have just sent off my entry to the First Drafts Competition run by Myriad publishers. Five thousand words of mayhem. The 2016 competition, open to writers who never published a novel or collection of short stories, has a Crime theme. The prize is a week-long writing retreat in the luxurious surroundings of West Dean College near Chichester, as well as detailed editorial feedback from the judges and six months’ mentoring from a Myriad author.

My aim last year was to make 2015 the year I got some short stories published. I achieved that. Now my aim is that 2016 should be the year I find an agent or a publisher. Winning the competition would be a big step towards that. By the way, I didn’t get short listed for the Costa Short Story competition.

If you want to enter, the competition closes 31st March.