August update: summer of 25

I love summer and I love this weather, and I love that I've had the chance to take a couple of weeks off and just write my stuff, sitting in the garden with my laptop under a tree that has the most apples we've ever seen (thank you to everyone for being patient with me and giving me this time!).

It hasn't just been my stuff. Harvey's Flash!Mob for July, All The King's Horses, has been released and includes some of my favourite flash fiction submissions so far. And the Harveys are busy with this month's prompt, which is Roads Untravelled...

The end of August is also the deadline for Harvey's next big collection which is a return to the Dark/Urban Fantasy basket. We already have some fabulous stories scheduled for this book and will be revealing the line up and the fab cover at the start of September. The book will be released in October.

If you'd like to send in a story for the Flash!Mob or any of the Harvey baskets, check out the submission guidelines here:

Submit A Story

We are open to submissions of short fiction. Please read our guidelines before sending us anything. We like to ensure reasonable expectations in advance. Harvey Duckman and the Robinson House Writers combined is a community of nice writers who want to work together, support each other and make no demands.

Harvey Duckman Is Alive!CGH

Last month, we added to our collection of writer resources with a blog post about plot structure, covering some of the stuff I go through in my workshops.

Give yourself Jelly Babies...

I get loads of writers come to me half way through their novel and struggling to get past the middle, saying it feels like they’re wading through treacle…

Harvey Duckman Is Alive!CGH

And we featured a new book by Harvey writer Joel N Campbell with a fab Q&A.

“A pint in a pub, chips wrapped in newspaper, bike racing, music, dancing, living in lodgings, a man and his suitcase...”

Road-racing fan, rider and author, Joel Campbell has switched from true-life to fantasy in his latest book which was released last month.

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This month we have another travel blog from Harvey writer Will Nett.

“The hotel is sterile- surgical-looking, almost, and not the Hansel and Gretel-style forest hut I’d anticipated...” by Will Nett

There’s a saying in Albania: ‘D’ya know when you’re waiting for a bus… and none come along at once.’ That.

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And a rare post from me with an update on my Thieves' Guild stuff.

It’s been a while…

A few people lately have been asking when the next Thieves’ Guild book is going to be out… and finally, I feel that I can say that I’m working on it.

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There are a few weeks of August left and hopefully some good writing time all round.

In September, I'm at the WRITE Festival in South Shields and will also be running some horror writing sessions at Drake The Bookshop in Stockton. Give me a shout if you'd like more info.

Flash Fiction with Gillie Hatton | The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, South Shields

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word is South Tyneside’s new state-of-the-art cultural venue, situated in the heart of South Shields and is brimming with exciting new experiences, activities and facilities for people of all ages to enjoy.

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, South Shields

Take care and happy writing,
CGH xx