Green Ink Sponsored Write 2023

for Macmillan Cancer Support

Every year, I invite a group of professional authors and developing writers within my community to write on a theme inspired by quality of life: Macmillan Cancer Support’s mission for all affected by cancer.

Most sponsored events have costs and a carbon footprint. We don’t. It all goes straight to sponsorship page here.

On 14 October, we write. On 15 October, we edit and email the piece ready for the anthology.

On 15 October, the publisher of my upcoming short story collection Steve J Shaw of Black Shuck Books sends the anthology to the inboxes of everyone who sponsors us here.

Over the next few days, I’ll share interviews with the sponsored writers and their experience of what these crazy deadlines do for their creative confidence – and the influence Macmillan Cancer Support has had on their friends and family.

Today’s Sponsored Writer is award-winning author and editor Dan Coxon:

1) Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself, writing, and/or life outside writing?

I'm a dad first and foremost, then a writer, then an editor (and proofreader). Someone once compared editing anthologies to preparing a complicated dish in the kitchen, and most of my life is spent in that space - keeping half a dozen pans on the boil, finishing things in the oven, spinning plates. There's kind of a thrill to that energy which propels me through my days.

2) Are you a 'deadlines person'? Is that part of the attraction or the challenge?

I think I am, although I've never consciously thought of myself that way. When dealing with publishers there are always deadlines, though, and given the nature (and variety) of my work I often have several deadlines staggered throughout the month. It sometimes feels like an unwanted pressure, but actually it's often what gets me out of bed in the morning. Without deadlines I doubt I'd get half as much done.

3) Many involved have personal connections with Macmillan Cancer Support. Do you want to share any experience of the charity's work?

Thankfully I've never had any personal experience of their work, although I have fundraised for them before, hiking 26 miles in a day along the South Coast. They've always struck me as one of the most fundamental charities - not just a good cause, but an important and necessary one.

4) What do you make of Paul Tremblay’s theme for this year, A Well of Strength, The Strength of Will?

For some reason my brain fixates on the word 'well', so I'll try to avoid a story about a literal well! It's a great theme from Paul, though, and I think it'll lead to some really interesting stories. I've always been fascinated by stories about characters who have run out of options, who have reached rock bottom - and where they go from there. My collection Only The Broken Remain was structured around that very idea. It's often when people are at their lowest that they find reserves of courage and strength that they didn't know they had - I'm hoping to see that in some of the stories.

5) Absolutely anything else you'd like to share! :)

Being a dad (and a freelance editor!), it's very rare for me to write a story in a single day - so I'm intrigued to see how that works out!

Reserve your anthology and support Macmillan at https://www.justgiving.com/page/greeninksponsoredwrite2023