Books
The holy grail for most authors is to see their work in print; I’m no different (although some seem to be taking longer than others).
Donovon’s Rainbow
Fiona Veitch Smith, Published by Vineyard International Publishing, 2001
Donovon’s Rainbow is an adventure story for 8 to 10-year-olds, and was my first foray into children’s fiction. It’s set against the backdrop of the Noah’s Ark story, and tells the tale of a stubborn little dove called Donovon and how he tries to go it alone. You can find out more details here.
Mentors
Christian Art Publishers, Johannesburg, 2002
This is a book I ghostwrote in collaboration with my long-time friend and writing colleague, Gill D’Achada. It’s a collection of profiles of leading Christian South Africans, including Gary Player and Peter Pollock, and was commissioned by media entrepreneur Erin Georgiou and edited by former editor of Today Magazine, Nico Bougas.
The Choice
Another ghostwritten book, this true story is a gripping personal account of true love in the face of religious, cultural and political persecution. Set partly in Jerusalem and partly in Cape Town, it’s the story of one woman’s incredible journey of faith and love.
First self-published by Elizabeth in 2002, this surprise best-seller has been taken up by the American Christian publishing house, Bridge Logos. It has already been translated into four languages.
“Top Secret”
Watch this space…
No, that’s not the books’ real name. As much as I’d love to tell you more about this ghostwriting project I’m currently working on, I’m bound by a confidentiality agreement, so if I did tell you, I’d have to kill you! Suffice to say it’s a series of 12 aeronautical adventures for 3 to 7-year-olds set in Australia, which should hit the bookshops in 2008. I’d tell you to look out for it, but you won’t know what to look for! Check back here later, and hopefully I’ll be able to say more…
Short Stories
The Wheelchair Wonder
Aquila Children’s Magazine, July 2006
Being confined to a wheelchair doesn’t mean you won’t have any adventures. A short story for 8 - 12-year-olds.
Murder in the Deep
Aquila Children’s Magazine, July 2008
Whitey, a Great White Shark, is accused of murder and 10-year-old Chris has to prove him innocent. The only problem is, Whitey doesn’t know Chris is trying to help him. A two-part short story for 8 - 12-year-olds.
Magazine articles
Freelance writing for magazines has been my bread and butter for years. (Yes, I know I don’t look that old). I’ve had articles published in commercial magazines as diverse as Plain Truth, Writers News and SA Sports Illustrated, to name but a few. I’ve subsequently re-published some of the best ones on this site, and others on my other site veitchsmith.com. For a full list (if you’re interested), download my article cv.
Scripts
I’ve always loved the theatre, and more recently I’ve begun to branch out into screen and radio scripts too. Over the last 10 years or so I’ve dabbled in everything from musicals to educational theatre and drama:
- The Idol of Sarajevo
- Another Man’s Shoes
- Enemy Lines
- Melpomene
- What’s love got to do with it?
- Brian’s Bad Hair Day
- Mary’s Passion
- Wally and Floss and the Five Golden Rules
The Idol of Sarajevo
Fiona Veitch Smith, 2007
This is a 100-minute stage play about a Bosnian woman who secretly becomes a prostitute to save her family from destitution. It has recently won the Literary Consultancy Scriptwriting Competition and was a finalist in Contact Theatre’s March ‘Flip the Script’ contest. In March it received a staged reading at the Northern Stage in the First of Three new writing project. In July it was longlisted for the King’s Cross New Writing award run by the Courtyard Theatre in Covent Garden.
‘The Idol of Sarajevo was one of the most engaging and enjoyable scripts we received’ - Lloyd Evans, TLC judge and theatre critic for the Spectator
- In November 2007 The Idol of Sarajevo was shortlisted for the People’s Play Award
- The Idol ofSarajevo is currently in the semi-finals of the Reverie Next Generation Playwriting Contest based in New York. The top six plays will be announced in May 2008.
Another Man’s Shoes
Fiona Veitch Smith, 2007
This is a 45-minute radio drama which is currently being considered by two leading production companies. A classical music teacher tries on the shoes of a dead jazz pianist with fatal consequences. It’s 1956 at the height of the London jazz scene when being young, black and gay isn’t such a handicap if you can hold a tune.
Enemy Lines
Fiona Veitch Smith, 2007
A five-minute film short about a British soldier returning from Iraq to face a barrage of anti-war protestors. It has been selected to be filmed for Northern Film and Media’s Stingers 6 programme and will be screened in September 2008.
Melpomene
Fiona Veitch Smith, 2007
This is my latest stage play, set against the 1896 Olympics in Athens, about the first woman marathon runner who was refused entry to the Games. It’s not finished yet, but I hope to have it on the boards before the next Olympic flame is lit! Melpomene was showcased at a staged reading at Northern Stage’s ‘First in Three’ show on 6 February 2008. Northern Stage.
What’s love got to do with it?
Fiona Veitch Smith, 1996
This one-act comic musical about the teenage Brian and his trials and tribulations in finding love was performed at high schools around South Africa by Mirror Image Theatre Company (YWAM, South Africa).
Brian’s Bad Hair Day
Fiona Veitch Smith, 1997
Brian is back in this sequel to what’s love got to do with it, this time with his dysfunctional family and rival girlfriends. Another one-act musical play for a teen audience, with original music by Rodney Smith.
Mary’s Passion
Fiona Veitch Smith, 1998
This one-act musical ‘passion play’ was performed on the Fringe at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival by Mirror Image Theatre Company (YWAM, South Africa). My husband Rodney Smith co-wrote the original music with Simone Woodley. The play had another run over Easter 1999 at the Nassau Theatre in Cape Town.
Wally and Floss and the Five Golden Rules
Fiona Veitch Smith, 1999
This educational video script was for a pre-school HIV-awareness programme. The project was funded by the South Peninsula Health Department in Cape Town and is still used in pre-schools and nurseries in the city.
Welcome to The Crafty Writer, published by Fiona Veitch Smith, a freelance journalist, author, playwright and writing teacher. This site is full of information and resources to help you on your journey to become a better writer. 
