KISHBOO: Yorkshire e-zine seeks submissions

We at TSOTA are very excited to introduce a new online literary magazine, www.kishboo.co.uk, based right here in our very own Yorkshire. Rather than me wittering on as usual, I caught up with co-founder, Sharon Boothroyd, and let her tell you all about it.

TSOTA:Where did KISHBOO come from?
SB: It was my husband’s idea. I used to subscribe to a small independent paper fiction magazine that asked readers to vote for the stories in their ongoing competition. The winning story writer and runner-up, as decided by the readers/subscribers, won two cash prizes.
We wanted to follow a similar kind of model, but we’d produce a digital version instead, cutting out printing and distribution costs.

TSOTA: What is it?
SB: KISHBOO is a non- profit, fiction based e-magazine, catering mainly for readers who are interested in writing.
Run by myself and my husband, Keith, from our home in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. It’s non- subscription, free to read online and 99p on kindle.
Our new site, launched January in 2016, is mobile friendly and can be viewed online, on a standard PC, on a tablet or on a smart phone.
The comp entry fees, advertising on the site and kindle sales all go towards paying the cash prizes.

TSOTA: Did you see something missing in other e-mags that made you want to make your own?
SB: Yes. A lot of e-zines describe themselves as ‘literary’ and as a writer myself (mainly for the commercial market) I felt put off by this.
We wanted to welcome all kinds of fiction (apart from erotica and children’s) so we decided to hold open genre.

TSOTA: Do either of you write?
SB: Yes. I’m the writer, and editor of KISHBOO. Keith is the web design/ IT expert.
I’ve had a wide range of letters, opinion pieces and poetry published in a wide variety of national magazines.
I’ve also had ten short stories published in magazines, such as The Weekly News, Take a Break’s Fiction Feast, Prima and Your Cat. I’m working towards publication of more.

Please see my own website: www.sbee.orgfree.com, www.ryecorn.orgfree.com

Keith’s websites: www.gate11.orgfree.com, www.kbeeapps.orgfree.com

TSOTA: What are your plans for KISHBOO going forward?
SB: We’re looking into producing an audio version of KISHBOO.
Kishboo runs calls for writing throughout the year with competition deadlines set for the 20^th of April, July and October respectively. Prizes are awarded to competition winners. Keep checking back to TSOTA for reminders.

Sharon and Keith would also welcome articles (on a voluntary basis) of up to 1,000 words on the craft of writing or writers’ experiences of the writing or submission process. For full submission guidelines visit www.kishboo.co.uk.