Download the Audio version of this blog post
Welcome to Pirate's Cove an imprint of Flying Island Press. I say that nearly every week, and some times multiple times a week, but what does that really mean? I have been thinking about that for a long time. While I really enjoy working on all the public domain projects that we've been doing, the intent of Pirate's Cove was to produce original fiction as well. To do that I have to have original fiction.
For the last three weeks I have been writing a weekly blog post called "Fiction Tuesdays." The intent was that I would take one of the prompts from the Pirates Daily Writing Prompts, write a story based on that prompt and post it. I like this kind of writing because, for me it is the kind of writing that I do best. It is freeing almost. But there are two problems with this. First, Flying Island Press is not a vanity press, therefore posting my own work is kind of unfair. Second, I realized that I am being rather selfish. I know that there are other people out there that like this kind or writing, and in fact can do it very well. You have only to look at other projects like Every Photo Tells and [clears throat] Great Hites to see what I mean. These people deserve to have their stories told.
So, Starting in two weeks we will being the Fiction Tuesday contest. "Contest," you say? "What are the rules?" Well I am glad you asked:
1. Write a story of no more that 3000 and not less than 1000 words (give for take a few hundred) based on ANY of the Pirate's Daily Writing Prompts.
2. This is very important! The story must have a rating of PG-13 or less.
3. The story should be upbeat. This means it need not necessarily have a happy ending, but at least it should not end so badly that people go away feeling worse than when they started.
4. Stories need to be original and unpublished. no re-prints please!
5. Going along with being original we cannot accept FanFic of any kind.
And that is it. Those are the basic rules. "Well," you say, "that is easy how do I submit a story." Again I'm glad you asked.
Stories should be sent in text format in an e-mail to Piratescove @ flyingislandpress . com with the subject line of Tuesday Fiction Contest.
"How will stories be selected?"
All stories submitted will be put into "The Hold." (that is pirate talk for slush pile) We will pick the best ones and publish those. If you submit a story you will be notified within two weeks if it has been accepted, and given and approximate publication date.
"How will my story get published."
We will release an audio version (most probably just a straight read) and the text of your story for our listener / readers to enjoy
"Will I get paid for my story?"
You have a lot of questions you know that? But it's funny you should ask that question. Pirate's Cove does not currently have a budget to buy stories, we can barely keep the crew fed. However, we do believe that you deserved to get paid for your work. So this is the deal. On each and every story that gets published we will have a donate button. The First $20 in donations, that comes in goes directly to the author, after that it is a 60/40 split (You get 60% and we get 40% this will help us in the future to be able to offer you more great piratey things)
If you have more questions please feel free to contact us at Piratescove@ FlyingIslandPres . com We look forward to hearing from you
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Fiction Tuesday - Contest
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 2:54 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts, Flying Island Press, Rules
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Daily writing Prompts #3
Those of you who know me, knew that I could not go on forever without giving writing prompts. They are like little rabbits in my head and they multiple if I leave them alone for too long. Well I left them alone too long, and now there are tons of them.
Pirate's Cove is now offering a prompt a day (for as long as I can keep them up.) subscribe here, or just come by the site and check them out.
todays prompt:
Pluto sat with his back turned to Eris, a dangerous thing to be sure, but since she was asleep he figured it was a risk he could take. He carefully opened her date book and thumbed to tomorrow's date. Just for once he wanted to know what kind of day he should plan for.
These prompts are not part of any on going contest at Pirate's Cove or Flying Island Press, but you might get some extra points if you submit a story that is based on one of our prompts. Flying Island Press
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 9:56 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
GreatHites Season 3 Prompt 1
This prompt is going to be something a little different. I am going to offer several prompts and you can pick one or just figure out how to use them all:
Download this week's prompts:
First, a line from Captain's Share By Nathan Lowell "The rest of the crew looked as though it would be a good time for a hull breach." Remember that Mr. Lowell's work is under a no Derivative license so you can't write in the Share universe.
Next, a line from one of my stories see the world builders unlimited site for more details under The Rover Wars. "They had bombed their own ship to get the war started."
Last prompt is just a random idea, "It's not every day that you get to see something like that."
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Friday June 25th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
Good luck. Please tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 2:21 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, May 3, 2010
Great Hites Season 3 Prompt number 1
Great Hites Season 3 Prompt number 1
this Week's Prompt is:
"the floor is covered with shattered flatware, and the room is dark."
This is the first of the stories without a deadline. If you write a story about the prompt it does not have to be done in a week. It could be the inspiration for the next great American novel, or it could be the muse that makes you start your own podcast. Whatever you decide. If you would like to send the audio to greathites I will play it as a bonus episode, but in that case the rules still apply. it must be PG, but I will be flexible on length.
The GreatHites prompts are all protected under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. That means feel free to use the prompt to write whatever you like and submit it to any where you would like, publish it yourself, whatever you would like to do with it, but please let people know where you got the idea.
Thank you everyone.
GreatHites Prompts by GreatHites is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at greathites.blogspot.com.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 10:54 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
GreatHites Season2 Prompt 19
This weeks prompt is from me and is:
"The last Stand."
Download this week's prompt
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Friday April 30th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
Good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your favorite stories this week. Please tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun. Have you got some questions or comments about our stories or the podcast in General come visit us on the discussion forum at GreatHites.ning.com
This is going to be the last regular prompt with a due date. After this I am going to play the stories I have, and then Great Hites as we have come to know and love, will go away. I will continue release prompts on a weekly basis, for those of you who like to have the prompts. I am just not going collecting stories any loner.
Not to worry, I am not going away, and if you stay tuned to this feed, I announce some new projects, and a new podcast coming long shortly. I will cover all the thank you's in the weekly story podcasts in the weeks to come. I will have more information about the why's but in the coming weeks. You still have a few weeks of me, so this is not quite the end.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 10:01 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
GreatHites Season 2 Prompt 18
This weeks prompt is from Ann Hite and is:
"A lake of broken glass."
Download this week's prompt
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Tuesday April 20th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
Good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your favorite stories this week. Please tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun. Have you got some questions or comments about our stories or the podcast in General come visit us on the discussion forum at GreatHites.ning.com
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 6:57 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, April 5, 2010
GreatHites Season 2 Prompt 17
This weeks prompt is from me and is:
"You have just bought a greek island."
Download this week's prompt
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Tuesday April 13th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
Good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your favorite stories this week. Please tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun. Have you got some questions or comments about our stories or the podcast in General come visit us on the discussion forum at GreatHites.ning.com
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 2:10 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, March 29, 2010
GreatHites Season 2 Prompt 16
This weeks prompt is from me and is:
Download this week's Prompt
With the ancient text sitting before you, you know you have to make the right decision.
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Tuesday April 6th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
Good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your favorite stories this week. Please tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun. Have you got some questions or comments about one of the stories, come out to Great Hites dot ning dot com and join our discussion forum.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 1:33 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 15
Merlin! Merlin!
Hello King Arthur, I am glad you are awake, this week is the week of your prompt.
what are you some sort of Foul demon, Merlin!
no my name is not Merlin, my name is Alex.
What are you?
well I work for the dark Lord Hite and he wants me to wake you up and tell you that this week's prompt is about you,
All stories for this week's prompt are due by midnight March 31st, send all stories to greathites at gmail dot com.
Download This week's Prompt
Good luck!
Thank you to the Dragon Master for the voice of King Arthur
Submit
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 9:13 AM 1 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, March 15, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 14
This weeks prompt is from me and is:
Download this week's Prompt
Look in your local newspaper and find a story where the head line interests you. Write a story about the head line, or the story or whatever you you like.
Some things about this prompt:
1. I know we have done this one before but it is always fun.
2. Newspaper can mean news feed, nightly news, whatever.
3. please tell us about the new story at the beginning of your recording and add it at the beginning of your text.
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Tuesday March 23rd. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
Good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your favorite stories this week. Please tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun. Have you got some questions or comments about one of the stories, come out to Great Hites dot ning dot com and join our discussion forum.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 10:33 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 13
This weeks prompt is from me and is:
"As the previous generation Died or left, the horror was slowly forgotten."
Download the prompt
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Tuesday March 16th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com. Good luck! Don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your Favorite stories this week. Please tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun. Have you got some questions or comments about one of the stories, come out to Great Hites dot ning dot com and join our discussion forum.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 9:34 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, March 1, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 12
This week's prompt is from Philippa Ballantine, and is:
"Natures Wrath."
The Rumors are true she is going to be hosting this one folks.
Download this week's Prompt
All stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Tuesday March 9th. Send in the text of your story and a recording if you can to greatHites@ gmail dot com. Good luck.
Come join in the discussion about this prompt out our forum
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 7:02 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts, guest host
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Great Hites March Prompt
Hey everyone, This is Alex, I have hijacked the microphone while Jeff is out. He does not know that so let's keep it that way ok? I was looking through the files on my hard drive and I found the month long prompt for March. It is not like I am spying or anything, it is my hard Drive after all. Anyway, when I red it's ones and zeros I got so excited I knew I had to tell everyone about it early. Don't tell Jeff.
Great Hites March Month long prompt is:
"King Arthur has returned and he has brought his sword."
Download the Prompt
Forum
This looks like a fun prompt, I wish the Dark Lord Hite would let me write a story. There are so many possibilities.
All stories for this prompt are due by Midnight on March 31st. That is right you have a whole month (and a couple of extra days) to get your stories in. The stories can be up to 10 thousand words, and must be PG rated. Send the text and a recording if you can to Greathites at Gmail dot com. Good luck. Make sure you come out and take a look at our discussion Forum, and our new facebook page, to keep up with the latest happenings. This is Alex signing off.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 2:50 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, February 22, 2010
GreatHites Season 2 Prompt 11
This weeks prompt is from me and is:
"From a great height"
Download this week's prompt
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Tuesday march second Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
good luck. Don't forget to come out to Great Hites dot Blogspot dot com and vote for your Favorite stories this week.
And we do use a creative commons license so make sure you share it with all your Friends.
If you would like to discuss this prompt or pretty much anything else come out to Great Hites dot Ning dot com and join our discussion forum.
We also now have a fan page on facebook, so don't forget to come out and check that out... Until next time this is Alex Signing off...
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 9:30 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, February 15, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 10
This weeks prompt is from me and is:
"Broken Equipment"
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Sunday Feburary 21. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
good luck. Don't forget to come out to Great Hites dot Blogspot dot com and vote for your Favorite stories this week.
And we do use a creative commons license so make sure you share it with all your Friends.
If you would like to discuss this prompt or pretty much anything else come out to Great Hites dot Ning dot com and join our discussion forum.
We also now have a fan page on facebook, so don't forget to come out and check that out... Until next time this is Alex Signing off...
Download This week's Prompt
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 12:06 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, February 8, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 9
This weeks prompt is a rather odd one. A few weeks ago we got a paint sample from somewhere so here is the prompt:
"Bloomin' Fuchsia"
Personally is sounds like the paint is mildly swearing at me, but you take it however you would like.
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Sunday Feburary 14. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to GreatHites at gmail dot com.
good luck. Don't forget to come out to Great Hites dot Blogspot dot com and vote for your Favorite stories this week.
And we do use a creative commons license so make sure you share it with your bloomin' fuchsia Friends.
If you would like to discuss this prompt or pretty much anything else come out to Great Hites dot Ning dot com and join our discussion forum.
download this weeks Prompt
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 9:50 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Greathites Season 2 Prompt 8
This week's Prompt comes from Noval Joe.
Download this weeks prompt.
A quote from Jack Handy...."When I was a child we had to make out own entertainment. We usually did that by watching tv."
You could take this many ways. Youth, youth activities, entertainment, waisted time (tv), or just a silly contradictions,,,,,etc.
All stories for this prompt are due by Sunday Feb 7th. Send me the text of the story and a recording in MP# format if you want me to include it in the podcast.
Good luck.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 12:18 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 6
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 6 (or #80): This week's prompt comes from Me and is:
Darkness falls and I know they are coming...
DOWNLOAD Season2 Prompt 4
all stories for this prompt are du by midnight Sunday January 24th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to greathites at Gmail dot com
good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your Favorite stories this week. Remember to tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 2:48 AM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 5
This week's Prompt Comes from the 1978 movie Alien. The final line in the movie (other than "come on cat") is this:
RIPLEY:
I should reach the frontier in
another five weeks. With a
little luck the network will
pick me up...This is Ripley,
W564502460H, executive officer,
last survivor of the commercial
starship Nostromo signing off.
I have always liked this concept, of being the last last person alive after a disaster. So the stories this week should be about that person, the last survivor. You can can tell the story, as this movie did, about how they became the last survivor, or tell the story of what they did after that point, or even what they are thinking now, right after they have given such a speech. You don't need to use such a speech in your story, but you should make it clear that your POV character is the last survivor. Please remember that the Alien(s) franchise is still under copyright and I don't think it would be a good idea to do fanfic for this one. In other words your main character should NOT be Ellen Ripley.
DOWNLOAD Season2 Prompt 4
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Sunday January 17th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to greathites at Gmail dot com
good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your Favorite stories this week. Remember to tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 2:34 AM 1 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts
Monday, January 4, 2010
Great Hites Season 2 Prompt 4
This week's Prompt comes from the weather and is:
Snow!
DOWNLOAD Season2 Prompt 4
All Stories for this prompt are due by Midnight Sunday January 11th. Email the text of the story and a recording if you would like me to include it in the podcast to greathites at Gmail dot com
good luck. And don't forget to come out to the site and vote for your Favorite stories this week. Remember to tell all your friends to come out and join in the fun.
Posted by Jeffrey Hite at 7:05 PM 0 comments
Labels: Creative Writing Prompts