With the dealine coming up on Friday, good luck to those who have entered this competition, even under a trans-gender pen name. If I win, would anyone be prepared to collect the prize for me?

Also, does anyone know of any writing competitions that are only open to men?

~Rod.

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dead

No, but I can lend you a dress and stockings for the night, Rod

Thanks, Motty, I've PM'ed my address to you to send the garments.

I need your bust-size, Rod.

If you don't fancy going in drag, Rod, I'll pick it up for you - as long as you don't mind being very short. What kind of woman do you see yourself as?

Hi Clodagh,

I don't actually like dressing up as a woman (honest); but I pray to god on high and to his servant Obama that one day my novels might be read by women.

This thread went off in exactly the wrong direction, with me represented as a cross-dresser. My aim was to provoke a little friendly and light-hearted debate on whether it's okay to have competitions open only to women. Or is it BLATANT SEXISM. Nobody has taken that bait. My next target was to be the groups on WW. There's WF and there's chick lit and contemporary fiction, whatever that is. Can't boys write contemporary fiction too? Why isn't there a men's fiction group here? Join my campaign, etc, etc.

~Rod.

My cousin Tim wrote Mills & Boon, Rod, so I see no reason why men can't write women's fiction, but, women sometimes just want an excuse to get togeter and natter without the menfolk, so you can't blame us if we form our owm little groups here and there.



- NaomiM

I don't actually like dressing up as a woman (honest);

Oh, Rod, I'm disappointed! I had a nice picture there, for a moment.

Emma

Of course boys can - and do - write contemporary fiction. In fact, we have a boy in the Chick Lit & Contemporary Fiction group at the moment. You'd be very welcome!

I'm not sure how I feel about women only competitions. It is sexism in a way, but where does sexism end and positive discrimination begin? Would there be a President Obama today without positive discrimination?

On the other hand, I think women can compete equally with men when it comes to writing, so I think it's unnecessary, and maybe even a bit patronising.

C

Thanks Clodagh,

What exactly does contemporary fiction mean. Not hist fic? Written by people who are still alive? Written by young people? I don't think I should join another group at the mo, but thank you very much for the invitation. Today I resigned from Short Story. I've taken a month off work to finish the fucking novel, and that is what I should be doing. Not wasting your time on here.

Emma,

~Rod.

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women sometimes just want an excuse to get togeter and natter without the menfolk

I can understand that, Naomi. There's nothing nicer than chatting with women. The idea of nattering with men induces nausea. My idea of hell would be an evening in a pub with a group of men.

I know that's it's a well respected mag but I feel it's sexist. Why no men? It's not as though women can't compete with/write as well/better than someone with a penis. Why not just have a mag containing fiction FOR women?

Yeah, it's tough being a man. At least this one appears to be open to non-cats:

Short story competition for cats

~Rod.