suehealy

horizon…

Rubery Short Story Competition
Competiton closes 30th September 2011
http://www.ruberybookaward.com/enter-the-short-story-competition.html

 

Society of Women Writers and Journalists Life Writing Competition
Entries of up to 3,000 words from women writers in two age categories (20-40 and 40+ years); any form of life writing is acceptable (for example blogs, diaries, memoirs, biographies, correspondence).
Entries cost £7 against first prizes of £3,000 in each age bracket.  The closing date is 30th September 2011.  Full details here.

 

Creative Ink “Dear John” Competition
Creative Ink Publishing is looking for short (600 word) “Dear John”-style letters/emails.  Winning entries will be filmed, and there’s a first prize of £100.  Full details here.

 

A Vogel Dormeasan Write A Short Story For Bedtime Competition
Entries should be between 1,500-3,000 words.  Neither children’s writing nor erotica please.  There’s a £500 first prize and several lesser prizes and publication chances.  Entry is free.  The deadline is 28th October 2011 and more details can be found here.

 

Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2011

Now in its third year, the competition is open to anyone worldwide who has not published a complete book.  They are looking for creative submissions in one of three categories: Poetry, Fiction or Life Writing.

To enter, simply fill in the application form (via the link below) and send it with your entry and fee of UK Sterling £6.00 if entering one category, £10.00 for two and £15.00 for three categories (see terms and conditions via the link). Payment can be made by Paypal.  Details:  http://www.wasafiri.org/prizes.asp

 

Flash 500 short fiction competition

Now in its second year, this quarterly open-themed competition has closing dates of 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December. The results will be announced within six weeks of each closing date and the three winning entries each quarter will be published on this website.  Entry fee: £5 for one story, £8 for two stories.  Optional critiques: £10 per story.  Details:  http://www.flash500.com/

 

Laurel House short story competition

Each story entered will receive a 400 word critique.

The winner will receive £100, a full and comprehensive LHCW critique with suggested markets, an online tutorial and publication on our website.
First runner up will receive a full LHCW critique and publication on our website. Stories should be up to 4,000 words – double spaced, in a word document. Entries are judged anonymously so please include a cover sheet
with your name, email address, home address and title of story.  Details: http://laurelhousecreativeworkshops.webs.com/index.htm

 

Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook Writing Competition 2012

A & C Black, publishers of The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, have announced details for their 2012 short story competition, being run in conjunction with The Arvon Foundation.  Stories of up to 2,000 words are required.  This year’s theme is “identity”.  Entries should be for an adult audience, so no children’s fiction please.  The closing date for competition entries is 14th February 2012.  You can find full details here and here.

 

Big Issue in the North “Night” Short Story Competition

Details from NAWE’s Young Writers’ Hub: The Big Issue in the North Trust is running a short story competition in association with The Night Light, an online magazine based in Manchester

Short stories, up to 2000 words, based on the theme of ‘Night’ are requested.  All stories will automatically
be entered for The Big Issue in the North Short Story Award which will be judged by The Night Light; you may also nominate yourself for any of the number of the separate categories such as the Young Writer’s Award or the Genre Fiction Award.

The winning story from The Big Issue in the North short story award will be published in The Big Issue in the North and the runners up stories will appear on www.bigissueinthenorth.com.

The competition is open to everyone and people can submit as many stories as they like. In addition to the main prize, there are several sub-prizes that individuals can apply to, each sponsored by one of the North West’s leading independent literary organisations.
Full details are available here. Closing date for submissions is 12th August 2011.

 

Fiction Garden Ghost Story competition

The good people over at Fiction Garden are running their first international short fiction competition.  As there’s a near-Halloween closing date (30th October 2011), the call is for original ghost stories of up to 2,500 words each.  There’s no other restriction, so feel free to interpret that how you will.

 

There’s a range of prizes on offer including publication in 2012 on the Fiction Garden website and a first cash prize of £100.  Full details can be found here.

 

Clive Cussler Adventure Writers Novel Competition 2011/2012

The Clive Cussler Collector’s Society (that’s their apostrophe, not mine – maybe there’s just one collector) has announced details of their third bi-annual adventure novel writing competition.

The competition is open to unpublished adventure writers who have an original complete novel to enter.  Entries may be submitted between 1st October 2011 and 1st January 2012, though as entries are being limited to the first 25 manuscripts received, I’d strongly advise sending your entry sooner rather than later.  Manuscripts should be between 50 and 130 thousand words.  There’s a US $1000 first prize on offer.

Full competition details are here: http://cusslersociety.com/writers_competition.html

 

Penguin Ireland / RTE Guide Short Story competition

From RTE’s website: http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0611/shortstory.html

The winning short story in the Penguin Ireland/RTÉ Guide competition will be published in the RTÉ Guide and on TEN (The Entertainment Network) and the winner will be presented with a special trophy and prize.

Rules: All entries for the 2011 RTÉ Guide/Penguin Ireland Short Story competition should be original, unpublished and previously not broadcast short stories in English of 2,000 words or less. Manuscripts must be typed and cannot be returned.

Entrants name and contact details (address, phone and/or email) should be on a separate page.

The closing date is 6pm, July 15. Send your entries to: RTÉ Guide/Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition, Box 1480, RTÉ Guide, RTÉ, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

 

Friends of Morley Literature Festival Short Story Competition 2011

Closing Date: 1 July 2011

Prizes: 1st, £50 / 2nd, £25 / 3rd, £10

For stories of up to 3000 words (no minimum). Winners will be informed by 30 September 2011. Prizes will be presented at the Morley Literature Festival in October 2011. Winning entries will be published in the Morley Observer newspaper.

Address: FM LITFEST, 84 Rein Road, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1JA

E-mail: fmlitfest@yahoo.com Send an e-mail to request PDF entry form.

 

2011 Spilling Ink Review Short Story Prize

Closing Date: 1 July 2011

Prizes: 1st, £250 + publication + free print anthology / 2nd, £125 + publication + free print anthology / 3rd, £50 + publication + free print anthology.

All shortlisted entries will be published and will receive a free copy of the print anthology.

For short stories with a maximum length of 1500 words. There is no theme. All styles (including experimental) and genre-based fiction (mystery, crime, fantasy, science fiction, historical) are welcome.

For more infomation go to: http://spillinginkreview.com/competitions/2011-spilling-ink-short-story-prize/

 

Mere Literary Festival 2011 – Biennial Open Poetry Competition

Closing Date: 4 July 2011.  Prizes – Open Section: 1st, £200  / 2nd, £100 / 3rd, £50 / Runners-Up, 3 x £15

For poems on any topic to a maximum of 40 lines.  Visit: www.merelitfest.co.uk for more details. 

 

The Elmet Poetry Prize

Closing Date: 15 July 2011.  Prizes: 1st, £300  / 2nd, £100 /  Runners-Up, £50

For unpublished poems of no more than 40 lines on the theme of Connections.

Visit: http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/community/libraries/readers/poetry-competition/index.html for full details and entry form.

Higlands & Islands Short Story Association Annual Open Theme Short Story Competition

Closing Date: 31 July 2011.  Prizes: 1st, £400  / 2nd, £50 / 3rd, £50 

For stories up to 2500 words on any theme, but no stories for children. It is not necessary to have a connection to Scotland, either in the location of the theme or the entrant.  Visit: www.hissac.co.uk for more details.  

 

Brighton COW Summer Loving Writing Competition

Closing Date: 31 July 2011

A free-to-enter competition for stories about love. Stories with a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 1000. You don’t have to be a Barbara Cartland – your story can be soppy, romantic, dark, uplifting or depressing – or even terrifying, much like love itself. Visit www.brightoncow.co.uk for more information.

 

The 2011 Unbound Press Flash Fiction Award

Closing Date: 1 August 2011.

For fiction up to a maximum of 500 words. There is no theme. All styles (including experimental) and genre-based fiction (mystery, crime, fantasy, science fiction, historical) are welcome. Entries may be submitted via email or post.  International submissions are welcomed but all entries must be written in English. As a condition of submitting, the author agrees that Unbound Press has permission to publish the material online and in print. For full details visit http://unboundpress.com

 

The Biographers’ Club Tony Lothian Prize 2011

Closing Date: 1 August 2011

Prize: £2000   

The Tony Lothian Prize supports uncommissioned first-time writers working on a biography.

For further details and entry form visit www.biographersclub.co.uk

The Manchester Fiction Prize 2011

Closing Date: 12 August 2011.  Prize: £10,000.  For original short stories up to 3000 words. Open internationally to new and established writers aged 16 and over.   Visit www.manchesterwritingcompetition.co.uk/fiction for more information.

 

Sid Chaplin Short Story Competition

Closing Date: 31 August 2011.  Prizes: 1st, £300  / 2nd, £150  / 3rd, £75

There will be prizes for the best entries submitted by juniors (writers of different age groups between 8 and 17 years on 31/08/11). In addition there will be a prize for the best entry from a resident within the Parish of Shildon for both the adult and junior categories.

For short stories of not more than 3000 words.

Entry fee: £2.50 (juniors free). Cheques payable to Shildon Town Council.

Address:  Shildon Town Council, Council Offices, Civic Hall Square, Shildon, County Durham, DL4 1AH

 

The Aesthetica Creative Works Competition

Closing Date: 31 August 2011.  Prize: £500 plus additional prizes 

For fiction of no more than 2000 words in length. The winner and finalists will be published in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual.  To enter: http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/creativeworks

 

The 35th Annual Salopian Open Poetry Competition

Closing Date: 31 August 2011

Prizes: 1st, £200  / 2nd, £100 / 3rd, £50. Six consolation prizes of £25 will be paid to six runners up.  All nine winners will receive a free copy of the Winter issue of Salopeot which will contain all nine winning poems.

Poems not exceeding 40 lines. The competition is open to everyone over the age of 15 years. Entries must be in English  and be your own original work, and must not be entered into any other competition, nor have been a prize winner in any other competition. Visit www.thesalopianpoetrysociety.webeden.co.uk for full details.

 

Gemini Magazine Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest

Closing Date: 31 August 2011.  Grand Prize:  $1000.

Fiction to a maximum length of 1000 words, with no restrictions on content, style or genre. Entries must be previously unpublished. Both new and established writers are welcome. Six finalists will be published online in the October 2011 issue of Gemini.

Visit www.gemini-magazine.com/contest.html for full details.

 

I’ve been nominated for the Meridian Prize (again). There are 30 on the short list. My second time to enter and second time I’ve been shortlisted. Someone there likes my style – but enough to win? They’ll let us know next week. The last short list was 15 and I didn’t place in the top three. This story is a bit edgier, less traditional, blackly comic. I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing, or neutral. Still, I don’t have too long to wait. They’ll let us know next week.

Perhaps I should put together a list of up coming competitions for ya’ll and would be delighted if you could update or chip in on any more out there.

Non-dominant hand exercise. This is all about exercising the side of your brain you use least. Most of us are right handed – the side controlled by the left brain. Using your left-hand to write a nonsense sentence or two before you sit down to write ‘properly’ allows you to flex your right brain, the side associated with creativity.

If you’re left-handed, use your right hand. It’s freeing. Go on, try it before you knock it…

Happy US Independence Day xo

Doing some ‘book’ keeping… Since January, I’ve sent out 15 ships.

Four came back with one win (the Molly Keane) a ‘commendation’ (The New Writer) a short list (Meridian) and a long list (The Jane Austen Award).

Four ‘academic ships’ half-returned – I applied for a funded PhD study at four universities (UEA, Queens, Bangor and Exeter). All offered me places but Queens and Exeter turned me down for funding. Bangor doesn’t have funding and I’m still waiting to hear from UEA… (though at this stage…)

Four other ships (competitions entered) sunk without trace…

That’s not a bad tally, actually – two years ago I sent out ten ships and every single one sunk. I’m doing something right. Improving perhaps…

And there are STILL a three ships on the horizon:

Firstly that UEA funding that I haven’t had denied yet : )

And a lectureship interview with the Open University on July 14th – again, two years ago I applied for the same position and didn’t get to interview stage. Something on my CV is looking up!

And Amelia is going to design me a website, ain’t ya buddie?

Did it! Twelfth ship launched. Sent my short story ‘The Last of the Shower’ to the HISSAC short story competition. So that’s 12 on the waves, bon voyages mes ambassadores!

Now back to that novel. Hey wait, I’ve got to make a cup of tea…

I’ve landed back on earth post winning the National Molly Keane Award for Creative Writing. And I realised that I need to get more ships out there. Spent this week launching said vessels. Oh please come back to Mama laden with kudos and baying agents and publishers…

Ships launched:

1) Applied for a funded PhD at Newcastle University.

2) Submitted ‘Snailsock’ to an up and coming literary magazine.

3) Applied for a Creative Writing Teaching gig in Liverpool

4) Invited the author of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’ to talk to the inmates in my prison class.

5) Asked Stephen Fry to write them a letter of encouragement (he’s a former inmate of the prison, who knew?)

6) Sent ‘The Pretender’ to the Writers’ Bureau competition.

7) Sent ‘Ha Ha’ to the Meridian competition.

8 ) Sent ‘Snailwoman’ to the Light Ship First Chapter Competition.

9) Submitted ‘Name in a Cave’ to People’s Friend

10) Submitted ‘Twin Trees’ to Doris Gooderson Competition.

11) Submitted an application for funding to the Irish Arts Council.

I like the number 12. Twelve months of the year, twelve steps, twelve apostles, twelve labours of Hercules, the twelve dancing princesses etc… So I shall send another ship out today to round off the grand total of ships. Then it is back to the book….

So, I’ve won a competition. A national one. For so long I’ve been staring at this hill and now here I am, scroll in hand, wondering where the headlights are going to shine now. What’s the next crossroad? Turnoff? Crash? Yikes…

I thought a good idea – and I can let myself think I’m working…