If you are an aspiring writer, remember to put your work out into the world. Nothing gets published if it has not been submitted. Learn to accept and cope with rejections, they’re part of a writer’s life. Build up your portfolio. Send out work for publication and competitions. Every bit of success is a notch up. Keep on sending out short works until you write your big novel or book. You can start small, in your school magazine, local paper or parish news, then work your way into national publications. When you have a track record of success and of being published and you write this in your covering letter, it will be easier to get a publisher’s attention when you eventually submit your manuscript. It does not mean that you will be published straight-away but at least your work stand a better chance of it being read and not ending up on the slush pile.
By sharing the following literary prizes and awards I have won, I hope that it will encourage you to send out your writing and get noticed. For me, being one of the twelve finalists of The 1992 Ian St James Awards and having my short story published by Harper Collins in an anthology was my first foot-hold into the international publishing world. And I am deeply grateful to novelist Ian St James for providing such an opportunity for aspiring writers.
Year | Title of Work | Type | Award, Prize & Commendation | Comments |
2019 |
Big Tree in a Small Pot |
Fiction. Mid-Grade, Young Adult Novel |
WINNER. Singapore Book Publishers Book Award 2019 |
Certificates & Plaque |
2014 |
Kampong Spirit : Gotong Royong /Life in Potong Pasir 1955 to 1965 |
Collection of Non-Fiction Short Stories |
Singapore Literature Prize |
Certificate, Plaque, Pen & |
2009 |
Treasures in God�s Pocket |
Article |
SWWJ UK (Society Of Women Writers & Journalists Theodora Roscoe/Vera Brittain Cup 2009 Travel Writing Competition, Autumn 2009 |
Certificate of Commendation & Cash Prize |
2007 |
Question Of Choice |
Short Story |
SWWJ UK (Society Of Women Writers & Journalists) Theodora Roscoe/Vera Brittain Cup 2007 Short Story Prize Competition |
3rd Prize & Cash Prize |
2006 |
A Sense Of Place � And Home |
Article |
SWWJ UK (Society Of Women Writers & Journalists Christmas 2006 Competition/John Walter Salver Prize |
Certificate of Commendation & Cash Prize |
1998 |
Watercolour Dream |
Short Story |
Worldwide Writers UK 1998, Issue 2 |
Prior to publication this story won a Commendation Prize for the Guildford Book Festival, Surrey. Plus invitation to award presentation & public reading of my story (My First Public Reading of my own work) |
1992 |
Tropical Fever |
Short Story |
UK. Ian St. James Awards, Fontana, Harper Collins UK,1992 ,in anthology. Blood, Sweat & Tears |
One of twelve Finalists. Plus invitation to presentation of awards at London Hilton by thriller novelist Ian St. James! Stories published in leather-bound book! |
1986 |
Winter 1986 |
Article |
UK. Waverley Council 1991 Waverley Magazine |
Cash Prize |
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