NFFD – Bulletin 8

Well, we're into May which means that National Flash-Fiction Day cannot be that far away. Two weeks, in fact! Can you believe it?

So, with it rushing closer and closer and everyone here at NFFD-Towers (that means me... plus all of you, of course. they're virtual Towers...) getting more and more excited, here's this week's roundup of what's happening and what we need you to do:

• First of all, as you hopefully know, the anthology, Jawbreakers, is nearly here. I received the first proof copy yesterday and it looks amazing! You can pre-order the book from the website (http://www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/anthology.html) as a number of you already have, plus copies will be available at most NFFD events, and it will soon be available from Amazon and most bookshops, plus the Kindle edition will be coming soon as well. Don't forget the main launch event on the Day will be at Southampton Central Library. It would be great to see you there. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/379325198752054/ And if you would like to host a launch event for the book, please do get in touch.

• The anthology from the Flash Fiction South West project - “Kissing Frankenstein & Other Stories” - is also imminent, containing a range of wonderful stories from, amongst others, Tania Hershman, Martha Williams, Gail Aldwin, Kevlin Henney, Sarah Hilary, Rachel Carter and yours truly. More info here: http://flashfictionsw.co.uk/.

• More competitions/anthologies have recently closed, but there are still some you can enter, including a couple of Australian opportunities! Details are here http://www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/competitions.html. In addition, there will be something new and very special coming from us here at NFFD in the next week, so make sure you are signed up to us on Twitter at @nationalflashfd or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nationalflashfictionday, or regulalrly checking our blog at http://nationalflashfictionday.blogspot.co.uk/ so you don't miss out!

• Other events are starting up, now that the day is approaching. So, don't miss me (Calum Kerr) at The Writers @ Lovedean this Friday morning (http://www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/southeast.html), or my workshop in Winchester next Saturday (12th May) it'll be great to see/meet you! Valerie O'Riordan's workshop in Manchester on 14th May is now full, but you can always join the waiting list for what promises to be a great event. http://www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/manchester.html

• In addition, if you are looking for ways to fill your time, Tania Hershman will be launching her new book - My Mother was an Upright Piano - in Bristol tomorrow (Thursday 3rd May - 6.00-7.45pm, bookshop at Arnolfini, 16 Narrowquay, Bristol). Do come along if you can!

• Another thing you could do would be to tune into Radio 4 on Saturday evening from 5.30pm where I will be talking about my flash365 project and NFFD as well as writing a flash-fiction to a provided prompt during the programme. It promises to be exciting! (And terrifying, but let me worry about that...) Please spread the word about that!

• We still have some of our promotional posters (just a few) and story cards (slightly more) hanging around. So if you want some, please do get in touch. Included in this are some lovely Jawbreakers posters which would look great in any bookshop... Just a thought! And, if you have received posters and put them up, can you please take a photo of them in situ and send it to us? We'd love to create a collage of them! The same is true when you receive your books. Photos of you holding it, please!

• And that's about it for this week. Please keep checking the website and all those other places I mentioned for updates and news during the week, make sure you're signed up and taking part. And please, as ever, keep spreading the word in every way you can. (Did you know that most local radio stations have 'What's On?' guides that you can fill in for yourselves? Just a thought...) 

And, finally, thank you for your help and support. We're nearly there!!!

All the best