***Apologies that there isn't time to read unsolicited MSS due to there being more than enough to read from competition entries!!! UPDATE If you don't win a competition or find yourself as a runner-up, please accept thanks for giving writers an opportunity to win and be published. Our goal is to find good and interesting writers to publish and if you aren't selected it may be that there is a cut-off point for numbers of runners-up. We offer a system in lieu of royalties so, before you enter a competition, which may result in your publication, please consider our 99p scheme:- The scheme involves writers, who we choose to offer publication, from competition results. You do not have to accept the offer of publication, especially if you get a better deal elsewhere. Most of our books are priced at around £4.99p or £5.99p at the moment.Thynks offers our writers a 99p discount on books that they are in, and which are published by us, so that, if they want to, and have a following of any number of people, from 10 upwards, they can order and buy that number of copies at any time from Thynks, at 99p discount; Thynks then orders and buys those copies from the printers to send to the author(s); the author(s) can then sign and sell them on at the retail price and earn themselves some money. Authors are under no obligation to be involved in the 99p author-discount scheme if all they want is to be published - we will put the work in to achieve that. However, It is specifically book sales after costs that will help us stay alive and therefore to help interesting writers be published. *The printer's fees are much more expensive for 9 or less books but if an author has their work published in a multi-author collection of poems or stories, and some of those authors want just 1 book or less than 9 copies, then, provided there are 10 or more authors that want copies, then Thynks will hold a batch of 10 or more, in accordance with numbers required, to serve those orders, but will need to charge packing and postage in those cases due to the costs involved. Apologies that the same can't be applied to single-author books. who will be sent a copy of their book. Bigger companies assess royalties on the basis of potential book sales, usually starting at 10% after costs. We tend to only have small print runs and small sales figures - at the moment! Thynks is working to help our good and interesting writers to get into print whether copies are sold or not. There are costs involved in running the company and at this stage of early development, costs aren't always met so I subsidise but hope that this will turn around eventually. Much of the hours of work done is often on a voluntary basis. so publication doesn't mean wealth for Thynks or the author(s); It means the author is now published! All authors published by Thynks retain their copyright. The usual six copies of all books we publish will go to the Legal Deposit Libraries as well as the Agency for Legal Deposit. Two copies of each poetry book that we publish will be sent to the Poetry Library. The book will be listed on the Thynks page of Amazon UK. Taking someone's Ms and turning it into a book involves costs as well as time worked. Most of our writers understand what is involved and are working with us for the benefit for all. If you don't think Thynks is fair, or want more than is possible to give, please do not enter any competitions because we would like to work happily with our authors and experience the pleasure of their publication. If you are liable to object if a competition has been rolled on to a later date, due to a small number of entries, please do not enter so that you are not disappointed. Print-runs are liable to be small because our authors are unlikely to be nationally and internationally famous.! - YET!!! ***Fifty Funny Poems for Children has sold over 200 copies and is the most successful of our books so far. We had hoped that sales would go beyond 500 so that we could begin to pay royalties in addition to the 99p author-discount. A free copy was sent to each of the authors involved but due to costs of that, plus postage and packing (in some cases - abroad), the amount of income from sales was much diminished and my hopes were realised as too idealistic. Some of the authors were very helpful to the cause and purchased extra copies at the author-discount rate. We have a family of writers. I am on learning curves and have to be more careful in future if Thynks is to keep going! Thanks to all the supportive Thynkers out there! Good wishes, Chris THYNKS
OUTGOINGS ABSOLUTE MINIMUM: (This does not cover all costs!)
Accountants fee, Adjudication& Reading Fee (Pay something if possible), Assistance with technical issues, Bank Charges, Book packaging, Credit Card (when there isn't enough money in Thynks' bank or my bank to pay for necessities!), Illustrations &Cover designs, Income tax, Inland Revenue Enquiries Insurance , Mobile phone, Paypal charges, Postage, Prizes for competition winners, Printers fees, Stationery, Technical issues (computer /printer etc) INCOME: Book Sales, Competition entry fees, Personal Payments from me to keep things going!!!
............................................................................................................................................................................................. Current Thynks Competitions News:
Digital entries: Now that things are growing, it is necessary to look at ways to reduce the workload here: Competition entries will need to be electronically submitted. Entry fees can be submitted by cheque or online as preferred. For those who are unable to send a manuscript electronically, Pat Sumner may be able to help you - a fee for her work will be necessary. She is also a proofreader and editor and works to a high standard. See her page to the left and contact her directly! Publication of books will result from the competitions. The Pop a Poem on a Postcard competition The Prizewinners are: 1st ...A Light Dusting of Snow by Joseph Hobbs 2nd ...The Geography of Love by Mollie Holden-Oates 3rd ... Renaissance by Evan Guilford-Blake Runners-up: Writer's Block by Aileen Shirra, To Bee or Not to Bee by Andrew Beswick, The Sweet Dream Fairy by Ann Doble, A Ditty by Avelet McKanzie, My Pet by Avelet McKanzie, Miracle by Barbara E. Robinson, One Moment in Time by Barbara E. Robinson, Transcience by Barbara E. Robinson, Allotment Moment by Charlotte Hanger, Wave by Charlotte Hanger, Petite fleur by Charlotte Hanger, Chalk Sleeper by Diane Jackman, Nell by Diane Jackman, Repair Kit by Frances Nagle, Cook's Helper by Gabriel Griffin, Pond Life by Heather Hart, Bed by James Johnson, Paragliders Bald Hill Lookout by Kate O'Neil, To Poets by Kate O'Neil, Derbyshire by Hannah Rodger, Ted Hughes on the Northern Line by Hassan Vawda, Bring me to my Knees by Jackie Bilton,The Food of Love by Jennie Tripp, A Trying Time by John Hyde, Sunlit Memories by Joshua Blake Thomas, Spring Sunday by the Thames by Kathryn Lund, After Snowfall by Ken Evans, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Spanish Sea by Lee Loymark, Shakespeare's Dark Lady Revealed by Lynn Roberts, Bare Trees by Maree Teychenne, The Hard Lane by MareeTeychenne, Shadow Becomes Shade by Nissa Mclean, Creepy Stuff by Patricia Simmons, Progress Versus Innovation by Roseanne Reid, Wise Woman by Rosemary Graham, International Space Station by Seamus Harrington, Childs Kiss by Tracey Louise Brunning, Stone and Sand by Miriam Clare, Pedro Esrever by Rebecca Howe, Postcard to the Moon by Sarah Macleod, Romance on a Postcard by Val Smith. CURRENT COMPETITIONS:- Science Fiction Story Competition - To enter Online click HERE - (deadline has now been rolled on to May 31st 2013) 17 entries so far 23.5.13 Thynks 2013 Open Poetry Competition - To enter Online click HERE (deadline May 31st 2013) 27 entries so far 23.5.13 Up to 80 lines Poetry Competition - To enter Online click HERE (deadline June 30th 2013) 10 entries so far 22.5.13 Mysterious Moments - Fiction - To enter Online click HERE (deadline July 31st 2013) (deadline August 31st 2013) A collection of poems for 5-8 year olds - To enter Online click HERE (deadline September 30th 2013) Supernatural Stories - Fiction - To enter Online click HERE (deadline October 31st 2013) Mini-saga - Fiction - To enter Online click HERE (deadline November 2013) 1 entry so far 3.5.13 A collection of poems for 7- 11 year olds - To enter online click HERE (deadline December 2013) ************************************************************************************************************ The Songs of Angels Poetry Competition has now closed and all entries will be read. Announcements will be made on May 31st 2013 ************************************************************************************************************
If a multi-author book is the result of a competition, then some runners-up will be included in the impending book. *********************************************************************************************************** All Competitions are open to overseas entrants! ************************************************************************************************************ Please check this page for Results as there isn't usually time to email all the entrants. ************************************************************************************************************ If there aren't enough entries in any competition, to cover the cost of prize money, then that competition might have a deadline extended - please do not enter a competition if you are not prepared for this to happen - this is so you won't be disappointed by the wait. If there are very few entries for any competition then it might be decided to scrap the prize money but offer publication to any chosen entrants. ************************************************************************************************************ Entries of children's work:- to avoid disappointment would anyone wanting to enter poems written by children under 16, in poetry competitions, please go to The Poetry Library, Children's Zone (scroll down to the Children's Zone below) where entry is free and they don't have to compete with adults. ************************************************************************************************************* If there is a problem paying an entry fee via the paypal button - just send an email to thynkspublications@yahoo.co.uk and we will send you the link or an online invoice! Alternatively send a cheque with a note that has the title on it and the name of the competition. ************************************************************************************************************* We are currently building up a list of poets that we want to publish and will be doing the same with regard to writers for children's books. ************************************************************************************************************* **If any competition rules are unclear, please do not hesitate to email your questions to: ***All poems in the poetry competitions are read through thoroughly and several times over prior to deciding those to go forward into the final batch. The final batch can be any number of poems and will constitute the runners up. The three prizewinning poems are usually chosen from the final batch by Pam Brindle who is the main reader on the Thynks team, although we will sometimes ask someone-else on the team to select prizewinners, for instance Jan Bebbington who is a core member of the Bards at Blidworth group. Fiction for children will have the final prizewinners selected by colleagues in the teaching profession. ***Prizewinners who have won a money prize will be paid within 30 days of the announcements. We can pay prizewinners by BACS or via Paypal to ensure instant payment. You can be paid by cheque if preferred. You will be paid via Paypal if you are not in UK. .......................................................................................................................................................................................... Competitions to come in 2014:- Novella - Fiction Folk Tales Retold - Fiction A collection of poems for 11- 16 year olds - details coming soon First 3 Chapters plus summary of a novel - Fiction Real Animal Stories -Non-Fiction Easter Poems Competition Healthy Eating - Non-fiction Reiki - Non-Fiction Rhymes for Science Inspirational Stories - Real Life - Non-Fiction Mind Body Spirit - Non-Fiction Enlightenment Poetry Competition Interfaith Perspectives - Non-Fiction Musical Matters Competition - Non-Fiction Awakening Poetry Competiton Simply Philosophy Competition - Non-Fiction Quantum Physics for the Spiritually Minded - Non-Fiction Thoughtful Thoughts Poetry Competition Reiki - Non-Fiction Looking at Literacy - Non-Fiction Happiness Poetry Competition A Woman's Place (theological issues) - Non Fiction Words of Comfort Poetry Competition Maths Raps A Study of the work of a contemporary poet ............................................................................................................................................... Former competitions:- ***Stories for Childen aged 5-8story competition! The prizewinners were:- 1. The Little Dancing Cat by J.T. Drazin 2. The Thing is Theo by James Woolf 3. The Star by Hector Placido Cortes oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ***Christmas Celebrations Poetry Competition! The prizewinners were:- 1. Sloe Gin and Desert Sand by Pamela Hodge 2. The Smell of a Star by Kathryn Lund 3. ChristmasCactus by Miriam Sulhunt ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ***Poetry Pamphlet Open Poetry Competition! The prizewinners were - 1. Beyond the Glass by Patricia Sumner 2. A Touch of Nature by Barbara E. Robinson 3. The Pagan Path by Susan Rogerson oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ***Peace and Love Poetry Competition! The prizewinners were - 1. Souls Release by Wayne Gatfield 2. The Spirit of Silence by Barbara Robinson 3. Living With Trespassers by Mike Lee oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ***Stories for Childen aged 7-11story competition! The prizewinners were:- 1st. Earthstrider by Mike Watson 2nd. The Strangest Things Happen on Maddison Mead by Sarah Shillam 3rd. Jack the Giant Killer by Nigel Anderton oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ***Thynks 2012 poetry competition! The prizewinning poems were:- 1. By the Major Oak by Lynn Woollacot 2. Wishing Well (Bath) by Katie Lewis 3. The Spectator by Amy Evans oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. ***Healing poetry competition! The prizewinners were:- 1. A Weekend on Arran by Aileen Shira 2. Vigil for Gary by David C Eillis 3. Melting Erin by Rita Bradd oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ***Serendipity poetry competition! The prizewinners were:- 1. Touched by the Past by Pamela Hodge 2. Refraction by Gordon Simms 3. The Faraway Thief by Dan Stathers ............................................................................................................................................................................. ***Inspirational Poetry Competition! The prizewinners were:- 1.. Gougane Barra by James O’Sullivan 2. The Dowser by Judith Tremaine Drazin 3. Little Girl's Antistrophe by Desmond Kon ............................................................................................................................................................................. ***LOL (Laugh Out Loud) Poetry Competition! The prizewinners were:- The book is starting to be produced and will include poems by prizewinners and runners up ............................................................................................................................................................................. ***Fifty Funny Poems Competition! The prizewinners were:- Click on the titles above to read the poems Prizewinners and runners up all had their poems published in the book Fifty Funny Poems for Children ................................................................................................................................................................................ ***Thynks Poetry Competition 2011! The prizewinners were:- Click on the titles above to read the poems .................................................................................................................................................................................. Publications ******We will produce small booklets by multiple authors in 2013, containing poems from prizewinners and runners up in the themed poetry competitions, i.e.Lol, Inspirational, Serendipity, Healing, Peace and Love, Christmas Celebrations, Songs of Angels, Pop a Poem on a Postcard etc. ............................................................................................................................................................................................... Competitions from other organisers:- http://poetryproseandplays.co.uk ...................................................................................................................................................... FOR CHILDREN - Make sure you don't enter a competition that is just for adults as it will be difficult to compete with them. It is a good idea to let your parents know which competitions you are entering. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ POEMS - The POETRY LIBRARY   These images belong to the Poetry Library - Southbank, Londonhttp://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/learning/children/competitions/
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