#311 Behind Closed Doors with David Haviland

This week, we're running a takeover in collaboration with Reedsy freelancer David Haviland! The winner of this contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive a special bonus prize: personal feedback from David himself. For your chance to get insight from one of Reedsy’s very own professionals, read on! Here's David:

Hello writers,

I’m David Haviland, and I’ve worked in publishing for more than twenty years as a publisher, literary agent, ghostwriter, editor, and author. As a Reedsy freelancer (check out my profile here!), I love working with authors of fiction and non-fiction at every stage of their book’s development.

I’ve been working with lots of short story writers recently, and it’s currently my favourite form to read. When you explore a collection of stories from a single author and see all the strange characters and narratives they invent, you can often get a much broader sense of their unique perspective and worldview than from a single novel.

I particularly love stories that delve into hidden truths, deception, and the different identities people present to the world, so this week’s prompts focus on complex, multi-layered characters who surprise the world — or even themselves.

I’m delighted to be hosting this special contest for Reedsy, and I can’t wait to read your stories and see all the fascinating ways you interpret my prompts. Happy writing!