It occurs to me that I've been writing more for writers lately than for readers, so this week I aim to redress the balance. I have three pieces of work due for publication in the near future. In fact one, 'The Enlightened One's Blessed', is already available online–and it's free to read.
    The story is one of 15 fiction finalists in Pen 2 Paper's contest aimed at raising awareness of disabilities. The other sections are non-fiction and poetry. When you visit http://www.txdisabilities.org/pen-2-paper-2017-results you not only have an opportunity to enjoy a large range of work, but you can also be a judge and vote for your favourite in each section. Of course, I'm hoping I will get the most votes, but the most important thing is that people read the finalists and vote to make the contest a success for readers and authors, and that the organisers achieve their goal of reaching as many people as possible.
    The other pieces I'm looking forward to seeing in print are 'Maternal Instinct', which gained an Honourable Mention in On the Premises' community-themed short story contest (http://www.onthepremises.com), and 'Turning to Stone, which is due to appear in A House of Music and Other Stories, containing 80 stories of 80 words. It's still available to order from http://www.third-word.com, with sales helping the homeless.
    While we're on the subject of books and anthologies being sold to help charities, I can thoroughly recommend Odds Against by Bruce Harris. It contains 15 award-winning stories for £8.99 plus P&P with profits going to the Huntingdon's Disease Association. Full details are at http://www.circaidgregory.co.uk/shortstories.htm