Just the weeniest nudge to kick off with: you can now enter our very own short story competition. Details are pinned at the top of this blog and while the closing date isn’t until September 28th, our own experience has proved that allowing plenty of ‘polishing’ time gives you the best chance of winning.
The Scottish Book Trust is inviting applications for its New Writers Awards 2020 in three categories: Narrative Fiction and Non-Fiction, Poetry and Children’s and Young Adult Fiction. Each award recipient will get £2,000, tailored personal development opportunities which may include mentoring, PR, presentation and performance training, the opportunity to showcase work to agents and publishers, and a week-long writing retreat. Entries must, however, be from writers based in Scotland who have not yet published a novel, full-length work of narrative non-fiction, or collection of short stories. The closing date is 3rd July and entry appears to be free. Full details: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com
H G Wells Short Story Competition for stories between 1,500-5,000 words on the theme of ‘time’. Prizes: £1,000 for writers under 21; £250 for writers over 21. Entry fee: £10. £5 if under 21.Deadline 8 July. Details: hgwellscompetition.com
Fitzcarraldo Editions is accepting submissions for the Fitzcarraldo Editions Novel Prize. The prize is an advance of £3,000 against publication by them and is for original, unpublished full-length fiction that is innovative imaginative and tackles themes relevant to the world we live in. To enter, send the full manuscript of a novel of at least 30,000 words. Deadline 15 July. There is no entry fee, but only one novel may be submitted. Check full details: http://www.fitzcarraldoeditions.com
Norwich Writers’ Circle’s 2019 Olga Sinclair Open Short Story Competition has the theme of ‘spooks’. There is a first prize of £400, a second of £250, and a third of £100. The winners and seven shortlisted stories will be published in an anthology. Entries, which should be unpublished, should be up to 2,000 words and the entry fee is £8. Closing date is 16 July for postal entries and 30 July for email entries. Details: Ian Andrews, 12 Malten Close, Poringland, Norwich NR14 7RW and, online, at norwichwriters.wordpress.com/
Exeter Literary Festival 2019 is inviting entries for stories up to 500 words by writers aged 8 and under; prizes of £25 and £15. Stories up to 1,000 words by writers aged 16 and over; prizes of £100 and £50. Stories up to 1,000 words by writers aged 16 and over; prizes of £100 and £50. The theme is open, but stories must be unpublished. Details: http://www.exelitfest.com
To Hull and Back Humorous Writing Competition for funny stories up to 4,000 words. Prizes: £1,000, £200, £100, plus publication. Entry fee: £13, £21 for 2; £26 for 3. Closing date 31 July. Details: http://www.christopherfielden.com
HISSAC Annual Open Short Story Award for short stories up to 2,000 words or flash fiction up to 500 words. No connection to Scotland required. Prizes: £200; £75 £50, in both categories. Entry fees: £5. £12 for 3.; £18 for 5. Deadline 31 July. Details: http://www.hissac.co.uk
Sustainable Societies: Radio Play Dramas/Comedy Series. Radio plays and comedy series touching on ideas of sustainable societies. Prizes: £500; £100; 3 x £50. FREE entry. Deadline 31 July. Details: http://www.greenstories.org.uk
As always, may I urge you to check details before entering. If you have read my post of earlier today about Margaret Kirk’s latest crime novel, What Lies Buried, you will have been reminded that her career was kick-started by winning the Good Housekeeping New Novel Competition, back in 2016. Entering competitions really can make a difference, and even a shortlisting can inspire you to keep going.
Good Luck!