-----Original Message-----
From: Alison Ireland
Sent: 09 December 2014 23:25
To: Peter Cox
Subject: Introducing Hour of Writes
Dear Peter,
I hope you are very well and that you’re having a good Autumn.
Who are you? And isn’t it winter already?
My name is Alison Ireland and I am writing to you because you are a writer.
No, I’m an agent.
For some time I’ve been working on a new literary website called Hour of Writes.
Sorry, but what the hell does that actually mean? Do you mean to say “Hour of Writing”? Or “Hour of Writers?”
Are you even literate?
And is English your first language?
It’s an international, weekly writing competition. After two years of hard work, it finally launched last week! The first week had a fantastic response, with more than 100 entries received - see them here:
Why? Why would I want to “see them”? And do you have any idea how freakin busy I am? And even if I was a writer, as you allege – why would I want to read one hundred other pieces of writing, for cripes sake?
The site is designed to be a peaceful space – a blank piece of paper - in the busy online world, where you can write down, share and structure your thoughts, in the context of a life which often has other priorities.
You know, if I want a blank piece of paper, I – guess what! - get a blank piece of paper! And just stare at it for a few minutes, until the urge passes.
When variables are controlled, the mind’s creativity is able to flourish; it can feel like freedom. That’s why the site's focus point is an hour-long writing competition each week with a cash prize.
Did that sentence mean anything at all? It’s probably just me, but I’ll be darned if you made any sense at all just then.
The competitions so far (tests and last week’s real one) have been really fun and inspiring, with genuinely beautiful writing in several instances. This week, we are aiming for over 100 entries again. Could you write one of them?
No.
There's a minimum £100 prize money and the guest judge is British author, medaevalist and academic, Dr Kate McClune.
Still no.
After registering you'll be sent a link to get a credit for one free competition entry (worth £3 GBP).
Aha! I was wondering where the catch it – et voila!
So it’s going to cost me £3 to enter each weekly comp, yes?
And the prize money is £100?
That means, on your current 100 entries, you’re grossing £200 a week.
Ok, Alison - I see where you’re coming from now.
Enter the competition!
Still no.
Any time this week, from now until the end of Friday 12th Dec. Once you start your enty
I think you mean “entry”. Small point, minor typo, but still...
One of the ideas behind of Hour of Writes is to celebrate and give voice and form to the considered thoughts and original ideas we all have every day
Oh yeah? And another of the ideas is to part impecunious writers from their hard-earned cash.
Funny how many folk, big and small, want to do that these days (yes, Author House, I’m looking at you...)
Could you reply and let me know whether you think you'll be able to enter this week?
Consider this my response.
From: Alison Ireland
Sent: 09 December 2014 23:25
To: Peter Cox
Subject: Introducing Hour of Writes
Dear Peter,
I hope you are very well and that you’re having a good Autumn.
Who are you? And isn’t it winter already?
My name is Alison Ireland and I am writing to you because you are a writer.
No, I’m an agent.
For some time I’ve been working on a new literary website called Hour of Writes.
Sorry, but what the hell does that actually mean? Do you mean to say “Hour of Writing”? Or “Hour of Writers?”
Are you even literate?
And is English your first language?
It’s an international, weekly writing competition. After two years of hard work, it finally launched last week! The first week had a fantastic response, with more than 100 entries received - see them here:
Why? Why would I want to “see them”? And do you have any idea how freakin busy I am? And even if I was a writer, as you allege – why would I want to read one hundred other pieces of writing, for cripes sake?
The site is designed to be a peaceful space – a blank piece of paper - in the busy online world, where you can write down, share and structure your thoughts, in the context of a life which often has other priorities.
You know, if I want a blank piece of paper, I – guess what! - get a blank piece of paper! And just stare at it for a few minutes, until the urge passes.
When variables are controlled, the mind’s creativity is able to flourish; it can feel like freedom. That’s why the site's focus point is an hour-long writing competition each week with a cash prize.
Did that sentence mean anything at all? It’s probably just me, but I’ll be darned if you made any sense at all just then.
The competitions so far (tests and last week’s real one) have been really fun and inspiring, with genuinely beautiful writing in several instances. This week, we are aiming for over 100 entries again. Could you write one of them?
No.
There's a minimum £100 prize money and the guest judge is British author, medaevalist and academic, Dr Kate McClune.
Still no.
After registering you'll be sent a link to get a credit for one free competition entry (worth £3 GBP).
Aha! I was wondering where the catch it – et voila!
So it’s going to cost me £3 to enter each weekly comp, yes?
And the prize money is £100?
That means, on your current 100 entries, you’re grossing £200 a week.
Ok, Alison - I see where you’re coming from now.
Enter the competition!
Still no.
Any time this week, from now until the end of Friday 12th Dec. Once you start your enty
I think you mean “entry”. Small point, minor typo, but still...
One of the ideas behind of Hour of Writes is to celebrate and give voice and form to the considered thoughts and original ideas we all have every day
Oh yeah? And another of the ideas is to part impecunious writers from their hard-earned cash.
Funny how many folk, big and small, want to do that these days (yes, Author House, I’m looking at you...)
Could you reply and let me know whether you think you'll be able to enter this week?
Consider this my response.
