Every year seems to get busier, and 2024 has been no exception. So far, I’ve written seven different short stories, totalling nearly 20,000 words. One of these has already been picked up for publication, and the remaining stories (as well as some from last year) will form this year’s entries into the following competitions:

  • The Folly Prize NZ
  • ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize AUS
  • The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction AUS
  • Scottish Book Trust 50-Word Fiction Competition SCOT
  • Nimrod International Journal USA
  • Fabula Press Contest 2024
  • Commonwealth Short Story COMMONWEALTH
  • Te Tauihu NZ
  • The Bridport UK
  • Dick Sargeson NZ

Five stories are still being shopped to market. Three of these will be posted on my blog – if they are not picked up for publishing in this round. I will then send them out again as reprints afterwards (although not as attractive to publishers).   

I will attend the Blackball Writers Retreat over King’s Birthday weekend this year. I have also applied for several writers’ residencies.

Last month, I attended a screenwriter’s skills development weekend with the intention of writing a full-length movie screenplay based on a short story I’ve just completed. This will be next year’s big project.

Next Years – movie project

I’ve also developed a plot, beat sheet, and synopsis for a new novel. And, in more exciting news, I recently applied for funding from Creative NZ, which, if successful, will be used to write my new Novel.

I have approached several agents and publishers but have been unsuccessful as of this blog post —one day, one day!

New Novel

On July 1st, 2024, I will commence writing Glacier Man, a 90,000-word adventure novel. It will be completed by 31/12/24.

Glacier Man is a literary odyssey, a gripping 90,000-word adventure novel meticulously crafted to captivate imaginations and stir souls.

Its purpose is to entertain and bridge cultures through fiction. At its core, “Glacier Man” is more than just a story. It’s a bold exploration of human resilience, cultural exchange, and the timeless quest for acceptance. The narrative challenges conventional wisdom about historical migration, weaving together disparate characters’ destinies from distant lands in a tapestry of epic proportions.

Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous era of 950 CE, “Glacier Man” transports readers to a world where Viking explorers clash with indigenous peoples and where love and betrayal intertwine amidst the unforgiving wilderness.

Stigandr is the restless son of a Danish chieftain whose thirst for adventure leads him on a quest for power and redemption.

Journey alongside Arnaaluk, an Inuit shaman condemned by her own people, as she defies fate and discovers her inner strength.

Then, witness the resilience of Tala, a Polynesian warrior whose journey across the Pacific Ocean unveils a world of danger and intrigue.

“Glacier Man” is more than a tale of conquest and conflict. It’s a testament to the enduring power of human connection, as characters from disparate backgrounds find common ground amidst the chaos of their world. Through their struggles and triumphs, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the universal desire for belonging.