Updates For Authors And Artists


Shutterstock © Wooden arrow with 'Team News' written on it.

Hello everyone, and welcome to this week’s Fiction Ed’s Blog.

Let’s look at what’s going on with ‘People’s Friend’ fiction this week.

Summer Stories

Thank you very much if you submitted a summer story (or stories) for consideration in our Summer Bookazine.

The final date for submissions is this Monday – March 11.

We’ve received so many strong stories that I’m going to split successful submissions between the bookazine, weekly and specials.

I’m currently looking for more ‘late spring’ and ‘early summer’ stories for the weekly, and stories set in mid to late summer for the specials.

Magic Of Christmas

Once the Summer Bookazine stories have been finalised, I’ll move onto reading for ‘The Magic Of Christmas’.

Stories not selected for MOC will still be considered for our Christmas weekly and specials.

Christmas stories intended for our December weekly issues and Christmas Special will be welcome once we’re into April.

Writing Bursary Competition

Fiction Ed Lucy has now been in touch with our winner and runners-up, to extend the warmest of welcomes and give details about assigned editors.

We’ll be in touch once the date of publication for each story has been scheduled.

We’re looking forward to seeing all ten stories illustrated and ready to read!

For Illustrators

Karen has been working with ‘Friend’ illustrators for nearly a year now, covering for Manon while she was on Maternity Leave.

Friday, April 19 will be Karen’s final day with the Team.

In the meantime, while Karen and Manon are both handling artwork, please just be in touch with whomever commissions each illustration.

Our New-Look Covers

Our third ‘new-look’ issue is on sale now – issue dated Saturday, March 9 (our Mother’s Day issue).

In next week’s blog, I’ll be talking to illustrator David Young about his work on our new-look covers.

Hope you can join us!

Lucy Crichton

Fiction Editor Lucy is always on the look-out for the very best short stories, poems and pocket novels. As well as sourcing enjoyable content, she enjoys working with our established contributors, encouraging new talent, and celebrating 155 years of 'Friend' fiction!