Alex Harford's Writing
In 2017, I started submitting short stories for publication. After a string of form rejections, I received encouraging notes from editors and Silver and Honourable Mentions in the Writers of the Future contest.
In 2023, my 130th short story submission became my first sale!
You'll receive an unpublished poem as thanks for signing up to my mailing list below (e-mail to request the poem, with a genre if preferred). I can also include what I think are some of the most useful writing resources (I haven't got around to writing them up for an article yet).
I planned to write mostly fantasy and speculative fiction, but I accidentally wrote literary and horror too.
I also write lyrics and poetry - a couple of old favourites are below, plus favourites by other writers (including writing friends).
Flash Fiction
Will Oceans Converge in Our Village Park?
My first story sale! Published in the For a Friend paperback by Lucent Dreaming, an anthology of poetry and prose on the theme of friendship, available from all the usual places.
I'm amazed to be sharing the contents with Marie Vibbert, the writer of some of my favourite short stories.
Short Stories
Nothing to see here (yet)
Poems
Stolen
A poem inspired by a waterfall and Scottish glen, available in Poetry Before Anything (2020).
When I Go, Will You Be There?
A poem that became a song.
Let's Stay Alive
A poem mostly made from song titles.
Drawing on Maps in South Uist
A poem published in the booklet Mapology (2018), available from (and to raise funds for) The Brampton Museum in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It features former Staffordshire Poet Laureate, Bert Flitcroft, and other local writers.
Lyrics
Decide in the Eyes
Back in my uni days, the first full lyrics I wrote.
Ancient City (AKA Edible Drums)
Lyrics about being lost in an ancient city that became a song called Edible Drums.
Distant Dreams (AKA Dance Keith, Dance)
Lyrics about falling asleep in cars (don't worry, I wasn't driving) that became a song called Dance Keith, Dance.
Quarantine
Lyrics about trying to break into Area 51 (not based on personal experience) that became a song called Quarantine back in 2005.
Favourites (by Other Writers)
Favourite Short Stories (by Other Writers)
I don't have much of my own writing online yet, so here are some of my favourite short stories and where to find them.
Contact:
Via profiles in header ore-mail:
hello
(AT)AlexHarford.uk