Lots of entries to get in the post before you pack that bag for the holidays…
The To Hull & Back Competition for humorous short stories of up to 4,000 words (including the title) closes on 31 July, with a top prize this year of a whacking £1,000, second prize of £150 and third prize of £75. The winner and shortlisted entries will be published in an anthology which will also include writers’ profiles. In addition to this, the winning author’s face will feature on the front cover of the anthology which will be filmed for a video being ‘biked’ to Hull. Fame indeed. Entry fee is £7. Check the details on http://www.christopherfielden.com
Norwich Writers’ Olga Sinclair Open Short Story Competition closes on 17 July (for postal entries) and 31 July (for online entries). The theme for this year’s competition is ‘shoes’, in honour of the shoe industry, which has played such a central role in the history of Norwich. Entries should be no longer than 2000 words. First prize is £400 plus a £100 voucher for Van-Dal shoes; second prize is £175, plus a £75 shoe voucher; third prize is £50, plus a £50 shoe voucher. The Adjudicator will be local author Rachel Hore. Entry fee is £8. Details from: https://norwichwriters.wordpress.com/competitions/open-competition/
Cinnamon Press Debut Novel/Novella Competition asks for the first 10,000 words of a debut work, with an entry fee of £12. The prize is £500, plus a publishing contract. Deadline 31 July. Details: http://www.cinnamonpress.com
HISSAC Short Story and Flash Competitions. Story: 2,500 words. Flash: 500 words. Entry fees: story £6, or three for £15. Flash: £3, or three for £7. Prizes: story £400; £50, £50; flash £150. Deadline 31 July. Details http://www.hissac.co.uk
The theme for the H. G Wells Short Story Competition is SPACE, ‘in its broadest interpretation’. Entry is free to those under 21 years of age, with a prize of £1,000 – while for authors of 22 years of age and over there is an entry fee of £10, with a prize of £250. Free publication in a quality, professionally published paperback and Kindle version (by St Ursin Press) is offered to all shortlisted entries. 1,500-5,000 words. Deadline: 17 July. Details from http://hgwellscompetition.com/
Sterts Theatre One Act Playwriting Competition for a 30-minute play for no more than four actors. Fee: £7. Prizes: £100 plus performance; runners up get £40 and a rehearsed reading. Best play on a Cornish theme gets £40. Deadline 31 July. Details: http://www.sterts.co.uk
Doris Gooderson Short Story Competition. 1,200 words on an open theme. Entry fee: £4. Prizes: £200, £100 and £50. Deadline: 11 July. Details from: wrekinwriters.wordpress.com.
Last, but by no means least – as part of the PENfro Book Festival there are two competitions, one for novelists and one for poets. The Festival takes place 9-11 September, when the winners will be announced. The First Chapter Competition offers the winner full feedback of their entry by literary consultant and talent scount David Llewelyn who will help the novel to reach publishable standard. Second and third prize winners will gain a review of their first chapter, synopsis and cover letter, and ten shortlisted finalists will be offered a face-to-face or email consultation. Submissions must be works of fiction for adults, including teens, but fantasy, sci-fi and novels for children will not be accepted. The competition is open to writers who have never had a novel broadcast or published in print or online and entries should not be currently under consideration for publication or as an entry in any other competition. Send first chapter (maximum 3,000 words) by 15 July. Entry fee is £10. The Poetry Competition invites entries of original poems of up to 40 lines on any theme, with prizes of £300, £125 and £76. Entry fee is £4. Details from: http://penfrobookfestival.org.uk/competitions
Do please double-check all details.
