Madeleine Mallarkey

Retreat West are a small publishing house and they run regular competitions. I was shortlisted for their first page competition a little while back, which was encouraging, and I was also shortlisted for their most recent opening chapter competition. Once again, I didn't make the podium but it's still encouraging. Apparently, there were over 120 entries and I made the last nine. I'm trying to get better at putting these minor achievements out there, as a record, but also to boost my confidence a little, which is always a fragile thing.

Not much time for any original creative writing right now, but I'm still plugging away at the fettling of my novel, trying to find bits of editing time whenever I can. The considerably shorter second draft is coming along.