A Nice Surprise – Writing Magazine Story Competition Results

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Helen Jones

I recently had some rather nice writing news. Last year I decided to devote some time to writing short stories, with the idea that I would submit one per month to anthologies and/or competitions. I figured that, even if I didn’t get anywhere, I’d still end up with a nice collection of short stories, as well as flexing my writing muscles in a slightly different way.

Well, I managed to win second place in the Writing Magazine Modern Fairytale Competition, complete with cash prize and publication on their website! To read my story, Water and Bones, click here. I even got a nice critique from the judges, which made me very happy. (and btw, if you do head over, I recommend reading the winning story as well – it’s excellent). It’s small victories like this, or a good review or a note from a happy reader, that make writing, with all its hair-tearing, plot-twisting and rejection, worthwhile.

Writing short stories has been a good exercise for me. When I write I tend to get quite wordy – I’m forever editing word count down, rather than up. So restricting myself to a much smaller number of words to tell a story meant that I challenged myself to write leaner, to cut out any and every extraneous bit of plot, and think of the most succinct ways to convey my point.

As for my other entries, I came second in one of Esther Newton’s writing competitions, and was shortlisted for another. I also managed to get a further two pieces accepted for an anthology. And I have a few more stories that will, with some more refining, be ready to send out into the marketplace again. Or maybe I’ll just publish them myself!

Happy weekend, everyone 🙂

If you enjoyed this post and want to read more, you can find me on Twitter @AuthorHelenJ, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Plus my latest book release, A Thousand Rooms, is now available on Amazon.

110 thoughts on “A Nice Surprise – Writing Magazine Story Competition Results”

The Story Reading Ape on February 3, 2017 at 9:06 pm said:

Excellent story and great feedback Helen – Well Done 👍😃

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Chris! Yes, the feedback was a really nice bonus – you know how hard it is to get that sort of thing 🙂
  
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  - The Story Reading Ape on February 3, 2017 at 9:09 pm said:
    
    Absolutely
  - Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:12 pm said:
    
    🙂
Ali Isaac on February 3, 2017 at 9:11 pm said:

Congratulations, that’s great news, and well deserved!

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Ali – I was pretty thrilled! 🙂 xx
  
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- Ali Isaac on February 3, 2017 at 9:19 pm said:
  
  Oh, and I LOVED the story, so beautiful and sad!
  
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  - Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:34 pm said:
    
    Thanks so much, Ali – so pleased you liked it 🙂 xx
  - Ali Isaac on February 3, 2017 at 9:52 pm said:
    
    Its fab! I love it… a bit of magical realism is the best kind of fantasy. 😊
  - Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:54 pm said:
    
    Thanks, Ali – I love that type of fantasy too – makes me think it could really be possible, magic just around the corner 🙂
  - Ali Isaac on February 3, 2017 at 9:57 pm said:
    
    It is Helen… we just have to open our eye… our third eye. Not easy to do. 😊
  - Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 10:43 pm said:
    
    So true, Ali, in all respects 🙂
TanGental on February 3, 2017 at 9:14 pm said:

Great news
We’ll done. I should probably stick my head above the parapet. But keep on going

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks Geoff! I know what you mean about sticking your head above the parapet 😀 It can go either way, can’t it? Hope you keep on going too x
  
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philosophermouseofthehedge on February 3, 2017 at 9:25 pm said:

How encouraging! Congrats and Cheers!

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:33 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much! And you’re absolutely right, it was very encouraging 🙂
  
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amo on February 3, 2017 at 9:27 pm said:

Congratulations! Heading over there now to check it out.

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:33 pm said:
  
  Thanks Angelika! It was a really nice letter to get, that’s for sure 🙂
  
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Widdershins on February 3, 2017 at 9:28 pm said:

Congratulations!!! 😀

… collections of short stories are great for on-the-go readers (commuters, etc) … if you market them that way, they might just sell like hotcakes. 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:32 pm said:
  
  Thank you! For the good wishes and the food for thought… 🙂 xx
  
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Sue Vincent on February 3, 2017 at 9:51 pm said:

Congratulations! That’s brilliant news, Helen 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 9:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Sue – I’m very pleased 🙂
  
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  - Sue Vincent on February 3, 2017 at 10:02 pm said:
    
    I’ll bet..I would be too 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 10:43 pm said:
    
    🙂
coldhandboyack on February 3, 2017 at 10:43 pm said:

Wonderful news.

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- Helen Jones on February 3, 2017 at 10:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Craig 🙂
  
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jamesrneal on February 3, 2017 at 11:20 pm said:

I enjoyed your short, and look forward to reading your book. I just recently started working on short stories, and plan to submit them piecemeal – similar to the plan you outlined. The first, Taking Out the Tree, is on my blog. Have great weekend!

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, James – really pleased you enjoyed the story! I’ll head on over and take a look at yours, too 😀 Wishing you a great weekend.
  
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seaangel4444 on February 3, 2017 at 11:37 pm said:

Well done, Helen! Huge congratulations my dear! Cher xo

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Cher, I’m really thrilled! Xx
  
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  - seaangel4444 on February 4, 2017 at 5:00 pm said:
    
    Ah, bless! As you should be, Helen! You are an extremely talented writer! Cher xo
  - Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 5:18 pm said:
    
    Thanks so much Cher, so nice of you to say xx
Miriam on February 4, 2017 at 6:23 am said:

Congratulations Helen, what a fantastic achievement. Now off to read your story. 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:52 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Miriam!
  
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Miriam on February 4, 2017 at 6:52 am said:

Helen, I’ve just finished reading, and what a captivating story. Truly it left me with goosebumps, you really did deserve this recognition. What talent you have. I loved it. 🐬

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, Miriam, that’s so lovely of you to say 😀 I’m so very pleased you enjoyed it. Also, though I don’t specifically state it, I was thinking of Melbourne when I wrote it…
  
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  - Miriam on February 4, 2017 at 9:17 pm said:
    
    Really? Melbourne? How awesome. I really did enjoy it Helen, you drew me in from the very beginning.
  - Helen Jones on February 6, 2017 at 8:35 pm said:
    
    Thank you so much! And yes, I was thinking of St Kilda as it was when I first came to Melbourne twenty years ago 🙂
  - Miriam on February 7, 2017 at 3:13 am said:
    
    Oh wow, happy memories I hope. 😊
  - Helen Jones on February 7, 2017 at 9:24 pm said:
    
    Oh yes, nothing like my poor mermaid 🙂
  - Miriam on February 7, 2017 at 9:31 pm said:
    
    Glad to hear that.
clairerwong on February 4, 2017 at 8:53 am said:

Congratulations, Helen! I’m off to go read your story now 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Claire! Much appreciated 😀
  
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Kristin on February 4, 2017 at 9:08 am said:

Congrats Helen! I wish I was more wordy in my fiction.

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Kristin! And you’re pretty wordy from what I remember… 😀
  
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  - Kristin on February 4, 2017 at 4:54 pm said:
    
    Thai you! 😀
  - Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:55 pm said:
    
    😀
Mick Canning on February 4, 2017 at 11:27 am said:

Well done, Helen!

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Mick!
  
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Lynn Love on February 4, 2017 at 12:25 pm said:

Oh, Helen, I’m so chuffed for you! A fantastic achievement. I’ve been a subscriber to WM for years, entered so many of their comps I’ve lost count. Don’t call this achievement small – they have very high standards and receive a lot of entries.
When I finally won one of their comps last year, it was probably the biggest vindication of my writing so far, the moment I really thought ‘wow, I can do this!’
Not that you need the vindication, being such an accomplished writer.
Very well done. i’m off to read the story now 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:46 pm said:
  
  I saw your story on the site and read it when I entered this comp! And I was quite in awe of you for winning. It was a great story, too – loved the modern take on Mrs Rochester’s nurse (hope I’m remembering that right). And I really appreciate your kind words, I was quite thrilled by placing as I do think Writing Magazine is one of the tough ones, so I was amazed when I got the letter. Now I’m inspired to enter some more 😀
  
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  - Lynn Love on February 4, 2017 at 5:36 pm said:
    
    Ah, thank you and thanks for reading the story – I was astonished to win, truly astonished. Short story comps are a great motivator – themes and deadlines are great for inspiration. Good luck with all your future comps
  - Helen Jones on February 6, 2017 at 8:38 pm said:
    
    Thanks so much, Lynn, and the same to you 🙂
  - Lynn Love on February 7, 2017 at 5:51 pm said:
    
    Thanks Helen 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 7, 2017 at 9:21 pm said:
    
    🙂
- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:47 pm said:
  
  And thanks for your lovely words about my writing, too. I agree, it felt like a vindication to me, too. Very nice when rejection is usually the norm 😀
  
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  - Lynn Love on February 4, 2017 at 5:37 pm said:
    
    My absolute pleasure. Ha, yes, rejection is so usually the norm, you have to cherish those glimmers of golden success when they come 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 6, 2017 at 8:38 pm said:
    
    Thanks, Lynn 🙂
  - Lynn Love on February 7, 2017 at 5:51 pm said:
    
    🙂
Lynn Love on February 4, 2017 at 1:28 pm said:

That’s so beautiful, Helen. The comments are right – real and hard and nasty but lyrical at the same time. A wonderful twist on a traditional tale. Really loved it. Worthy of winning indeed 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Lynn – really pleased you enjoyed it. I liked the comments too, and so nice to get feedback as part of the prize 😀
  
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  - Lynn Love on February 4, 2017 at 5:33 pm said:
    
    Yes, you’re right. So rare in any competition. And your comments were desrvedly glowing. A spellbinding story
  - Helen Jones on February 6, 2017 at 8:39 pm said:
    
    Thanks, Lynn – and sorry for my delayed replies – some of my comments went AWOL this week!
  - Lynn Love on February 7, 2017 at 5:52 pm said:
    
    No worries. I’m surprised you have time to run the blog at all, with writing and working and a family! A tought juggle 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 7, 2017 at 9:21 pm said:
    
    Ah thanks Lynn – I’m not so badly off, plenty of other people manage haha! Thanks for understanding though xx
  - Lynn Love on February 11, 2017 at 12:25 pm said:
    
    You have to love this writing lark to keep going when there are so many other things to juggle. But then, we do love it, don’t we? I read a quote from Long Firm author Jake Arnott today saying that from the ouside, writing seems the most boring job in the world, locking yourself in an office, sitting at a screen all day. But that’s not where our heads are, is it? We’re being terrified by ghosts or zombies or overlooking alien cities, walking in the shoes of murderers and heroes. I don’t understand anyone who doesn’t want to be an author 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 11, 2017 at 10:47 pm said:
    
    Oh, it’s the best thing in the world, isn’t it? Inhabiting all the different realms and characters and bringing them to life – I’m grateful every day to have such a wonderful creative outlet 🙂
  - Lynn Love on February 15, 2017 at 5:31 pm said:
    
    Absolutely 🙂
Jane Dougherty on February 4, 2017 at 2:34 pm said:

Well done, Helen! Massive congratulations 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Jane! 😊
  
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  - Jane Dougherty on February 4, 2017 at 4:54 pm said:
    
    And I enjoyed your story too 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:56 pm said:
    
    Thanks so much, Jane. I’m really glad you liked it, and it’s getting such a good response. 😊
  - Jane Dougherty on February 4, 2017 at 5:00 pm said:
    
    That’s because it’s a good story 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 5:18 pm said:
    
    😊 thank you x
Graeme Cumming on February 4, 2017 at 2:58 pm said:

Great news, Helen. Well done

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Graeme – I’m very pleased 😀
  
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tracikenworth on February 4, 2017 at 4:22 pm said:

Congrats, Helen!

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- Helen Jones on February 4, 2017 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Traci! 😊
  
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  - tracikenworth on February 4, 2017 at 11:29 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome!
Sarah Brentyn on February 4, 2017 at 5:30 pm said:

Congratulations! 🙂 That’s wonderful! (And to get feedback…priceless.)

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- Sarah Brentyn on February 4, 2017 at 5:41 pm said:
  
  Really do like that ending, Helen. Well done.
  
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  - Helen Jones on February 6, 2017 at 8:37 pm said:
    
    Thanks, Sarah xx
- Helen Jones on February 6, 2017 at 8:39 pm said:
  
  Oh, the feedback was the best! So hard to come by. I mean, they sent me a cheque, too, but the feedback was an awesome prize in itself 🙂
  
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  - Sarah Brentyn on February 8, 2017 at 12:03 am said:
    
    Okay, money is always nice to receive for your writing. 🙂 But, you’re right, great feedback is hard to come by (especially if it’s helpful to you – that’s fantastic).
  - Helen Jones on February 8, 2017 at 8:41 pm said:
    
    Thanks, Sarah 🙂
Steve on February 5, 2017 at 12:03 am said:

Well done!

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- Helen Jones on February 5, 2017 at 12:28 am said:
  
  Thanks, Steve 😊
  
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Hugh's Views and News on February 5, 2017 at 12:39 pm said:

Congratulations, Helen. I’m doing the same challenge and entering at least one short story competition every month this year. I’ve already got two under my belt and am working on number three. Even if we don’t win or get placed anywhere, they are still a great way to improve our writing.

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- Helen Jones on February 5, 2017 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Hugh 🙂 And good luck with your stories, too – as you say, even if they don’t get anywhere, we end up with a nice collection of short stories to publish!
  
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M. L. Kappa on February 5, 2017 at 6:17 pm said:

Well done, Helen! 🌹🍾 I finally got around to reading your story, and i loved it! 💕

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- Helen Jones on February 5, 2017 at 9:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much – that’s lovely! Hope you’re well 🙂
  
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Pingback: Writing Links in the 3s and 6…2/6/17 – Where Genres Collide
- Helen Jones on February 6, 2017 at 1:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks for sharing, Traci!
  
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syd7t5 on February 7, 2017 at 7:38 pm said:

Wow! Congratulations! I’m a subscriber as many on here probably are. I’ve never submitted anything anywhere as yet, long way to go before I take the plunge ha ha. I read it a while back and also the winning story, both were fantastic! Well done and what a coincidence to stumble across your blog. :))

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- Helen Jones on February 7, 2017 at 9:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much! I was so thrilled to be runner up, and to get so much lovely feedback on the story too. Thanks for reading and I’m glad you stumbled across my blog too 🙂
  
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  - syd7t5 on February 7, 2017 at 9:22 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome. Can’t wait to read more of your blog when I have a little more time and congratulations again! 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 7, 2017 at 9:27 pm said:
    
    Thanks so much – I’ll be doing the same over at your blog too 🙂
  - syd7t5 on February 7, 2017 at 9:29 pm said:
    
    I would appreciate that very much! Thank you 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 7, 2017 at 9:32 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome 🙂
  - syd7t5 on February 7, 2017 at 9:34 pm said:
    
    I think I might enter something in writing magazine’s first line story. It’s about time I started to. Wish me luck lol 🙂
  - Helen Jones on February 7, 2017 at 9:39 pm said:
    
    Good luck indeed! Hope it goes really well. I know I’ll be entering a few more comps – just need to do some more writing now 😀
  - syd7t5 on February 7, 2017 at 9:42 pm said:
    
    Good luck with them and happy writing. I think I’ve a long way to go to come anywhere close but it’s fun writing so I’ll continue and give it a go. :))
Stuart France on February 8, 2017 at 6:19 am said:

Hey… ‘The Little Mermaid’? It’s going to take more than fairy dust to sort this lot out…

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- Helen Jones on February 8, 2017 at 8:41 pm said:
  
  Oh yes. A different kind of dust altogether, sadly…
  
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  - Stuart France on February 8, 2017 at 9:56 pm said:
    
    It is sad…
  - Helen Jones on February 9, 2017 at 10:16 pm said:
    
    Very much so…
D. Wallace Peach on February 9, 2017 at 4:37 pm said:

Congrats, Helen. What a great idea to focus on short stories for a while. And they’re never wasted as they can show up in all kinds of different places. I’m an overwriter too, and I agree that short stories are great for honing our craft. I’m heading over to read your story 🙂

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- Helen Jones on February 9, 2017 at 10:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Diana! And it’s nice to meet another overwriter 🙂 I’m enjoying the short story challenge, definitely – hopefully I’ll be able to keep it going.
  
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masgautsen on February 12, 2017 at 6:06 am said:

Congratulations Helen!

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- Helen Jones on February 12, 2017 at 5:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much! 🙂
  
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