About Michael J Fleming
Michael’s creative writing began with song lyrics. News articles followed then short stories, poems and the longer forms of novella and novel.
Over the last few years, one form or another has temporarily elbowed its way to the top of his to-do list, but most of the time, the forms get along happily together.
Perhaps it’s the common thread of humour that runs throughout his work that keeps the peace between the short story and the poem; between the novel and the novella.
You know the sort of thread – the type that has a tantalisingly tuggable loose end.
After practising professionally as a Chartered Surveyor and an Environmental Manager, Michael studied for a MA in Creative Writing at Kingston University, gaining a commendation in 2014.
He is a member of his local writers’ group, Anderida Writers ».
Competition success
Michael has won, been placed or shortlisted in competitions run by a range of organisations including the Writers and Artists’ Yearbook, the Charleston Short Story Festival, Chelmsford Writers and Exeter Writers.
Short Stories – Michael won the Write Across Sussex Short Story Competition for ‘Scar Tissue’ and achieved runner-spot at both Charleston (for ‘Window Gazing’) and in the hotly-contested Steyning Festival short-story competition (for ‘Rebuffed’).
Novels – ‘The Fruits of Rashness’, was longlisted in the internationally prestigious Debut Dagger competition run by the Crime Writers’ Association. ‘Backhanders’ was shortlisted in the Marlowe and Christie First Novel competition, while ‘No More Bets’ won Third Prize in a field of over 1100 international entries, at the Stockholm Writers Festival. See Blotters
Poetry – Michael has also won prizes for his poetry including the Anderida Writers’ Poetry Prize for ‘A Piece of Cake’ and the Eastbourne Writes Festival poetry prize with his poem ‘Love’».
Published work
In 2012 he published ‘The Fish On My Ear and Other Stories’» a collection of tales which look askance at the infuriating inconvenience of death.
Poetry & Song Lyrics
Michael has written over 100 songs in a range of genres including ballads, Blues, Country, children’s and humorous. His song ‘Take A Letter’ won an Honourable Mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. ‘Buffeted by Waves’, co-written with his son, Matt, was a semi-finalist in the UK Songwriting contest. See Poetry & Lyrics »
He won the Anderida Writers’ Poetry Prize in 2011 for, A Piece of Cake.
The Blotter
The Blotters page is there to update the reader, clamorous or otherwise, on Michael’s current work and take on life. See Blotters ».