The Golden Griddle

​Due for publication in January 2027

 

Welcome to The Golden Griddle, in northern England, built by Texan Hank Houston Jr to bring some American glamour to the English countryside at a time when Brits were enamoured by Hollywood style impressions of the USA, but were more used to our traditional roadside cafes.​​​

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It's 1969 - it's a cold, wet, and busy Friday night at The Golden Griddle.  Your challenge is to tell the story of one or more of the customers - what brings them to the Golden Griddle?  What is their back story?    Where have they been and where are they going? Just stopping off? Doing a dodgy deal? Are they on the run?  Meeting someone? A family outing? Maybe your story is about one of the staff - the chef or a waitress perhaps.

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We are also specifically looking for someone to write a prologue, telling Hank's story - why did he move from Texas to Northern England?  What made him open the Golden Griddle? Does he have a dark secret?  If you would like to write the prologue please let us know, and tell us your idea...

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About Your Story

 

• All the stories must be set on the same cold wet night in 1969.

• Please tell the story of one diner, a couple, or one group of diners

• The location of the cafe is imagined to be on England's own "Route 66" - the A66 between the Lake District and the North East, perhaps around Barnard Castle.

• Your story can be any genre including supernatural

• The Gold Griddle should be treated as a character in the book - for a reference as to what it looks like inside, please look at the Brightside Diners - click here.

• This book is intended for adult readers

• Each story should be 3000 - 6000 words

• You remain the copyright owner of your story and you are free to publish it elsewhere. More details ​

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There is no cost for you to submit a story and there is no cost if we choose it for publication.  As an author you will be able to buy as many copies as you like at half-price, enabling you to resell and make a profit. ​

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Formatting

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• We will provide a Microsoft Word template for you to use, along with style and formatting guidelines. 

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Project Rules

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• No submissions from under 18s for this particular project.

• Your story must be all your own work.

• Your story must not contain anything that is legally questionable or libellous.

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How the book will be sold

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• The book will be sold primarily on Amazon.  

• You will have the option to buy as many copies as you like at half price if you choose, which you can resell or give away.

• We ask authors to spread the word among friends and family - after all, they'll want to read your story!

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Deadline and Publication Date 

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• Submission deadline: 31st December

• Publication date: January 2027

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Money

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• We will never ask you to pay to contribute to our books

• We do not pay royalties but you can make money from your story by buying as many copies as you like at a discounted rate and reselling although there is no obligation to do so. 

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