Sean O Faolain International Short Story Competition....

THE SEÁN Ó FAOLÁIN SHORT
STORY COMPETITION

2015 competition now open for submissions! Deadline 31 July.

First Prize: €2,000

(approx $2153/£1431 in April 2015), publication in the literary journal Southword, AND a week-long residency at Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat. 

Second Prize: €500 and publication in Southword.

Four more shortlisted entries will be selected for publication 
in Southword and receive a publication fee of €120

READ FULL DETAILS HERE

Happy New Year!!!

The New Year is nearly here and I've never been one for mad partying on this night, preferring to spend it quietly at home. Tonight we will share it with our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

I know many people have a lot of difficulties at this time of year and life isn't always easy, which is why I am so utterly grateful for having so many wonderful elements to my life.

I feel blessed having a wonderful family and lots of dear friends, and even though I manage to find things to complain about, my life is enriched not only by them, but by the lovely and happy home I live in, by the joy of looking out every single day on a beautiful part of Ireland, by being able to have enough food on the table, and a warm house to live, by only being afraid of self doubt, but still striving forward despite the prospect of failing, by making stuff up in stories, and other people reading them, by being able to make mistakes and start over.

Now, as the kettle is on, having done my word count for today, I wish everyone a wonderful, happy and healthy 2015. 

Thank you for making 2014 so special, and I look forward to many adventures together over the next 12 months.

xxx

Louise  

“A new heart for a New Year, always!” ― Charles Dickens