Open from the 3rd of January the 2017 entry form with terms and conditions is open to be downloaded now.
Find the entry form here: http://text-publishing-production.s3.amazonaws.com/text-publishing/assets/39/0bee20164011e6bd695593dbaaab7f/TextPrizeEntryForm2017.pdf
Good luck with your submissions.
Thursday, 29 December 2016
2017 WRITING COMPETITIONS
Voiceworks
Voiceworks is for the first time in recent history seeking submissions for long-form short stories. For more information click on the link below:
http://www.voiceworksmag.com.au/2017/03/longform-fiction-submissions/
Lord Mayors Creative Writing Awards 2017
This competition has a prize pool of $12,000 and is now open to Victorian writers it closes on the 31st of August, for more information, click on the link below:
melbourne.vic.gov.au/writingawards
Voiceworks is for the first time in recent history seeking submissions for long-form short stories. For more information click on the link below:
http://www.voiceworksmag.com.au/2017/03/longform-fiction-submissions/
Lord Mayors Creative Writing Awards 2017
This competition has a prize pool of $12,000 and is now open to Victorian writers it closes on the 31st of August, for more information, click on the link below:
melbourne.vic.gov.au/writingawards
Prize: US$2000 will be awarded the winner of each genre
Open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to
publish a book.
Entries open on 1 March and close 15 May.
Raymond Carver Short Story Contest
First prize is US$1500
Open to writers from around the world and the guest judge for 2016
was Caitlin Horrocks.
Entries open on 1 April and close on 15 May.
Prize is US$1500 and publication.
Dedicated to recognising and supporting the work of emerging writers
whose fiction has not yet achieved success. Entries must be less than 3500 words
and the competition is open to writers based anywhere is the world. The Lorian
Hemingway Short Story Competition first ran in 1981.
Entries close on 15th May
Website: http://shortstorycompetition.com/
Prize: The authors of the two winning manuscripts will receive US$1000
and publication by the University of Georgia Press under a standard book
contract.
Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction is a competition for unpublished manuscripts of between 40,000 and 75,000
words. Long stories or novellas may be included. Writers must be residents of
North America.
Entries close on 31 May.
The winner of the fiction section receives $1500 and publication in the
magazine; second place receives $500 and publication. Prizes are also offered
for non-fiction.
Run by December magazine, a magazine whose many accomplishments include
being the first to publish the work of Raymond Carver.
Open to stories up to 8000 words in length.
Entries close 15 June.
First prize of $2000.
Only open to writers who have not published a book and submissions may
be up to 6000 words. This contest is held multiple times throughout the year.
Summer entries close on 15 July.
First prize is €2000 publication in the literary journal Southword, and
a week-long residency at Anam Cara Writer’s and Artist’s Retreat.
Open to writers from around the world the Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition
is an annual short story competition.
Entries close 31 July.
First prize of US$1000 and publication.
Writers can submit up to three pieces of writing of up to 500 words. There
are no genre or form restrictions.
Entries open on in July and are expected to close on 15 August.
Website: https://indianareview.org/contests/
The world’s richest short story competition, with the winner receiving £30,000
The 2016 prize was won by Jonathan Tel for his story ‘The Human
Phonograph’. The six stories shortlisted for the 2016 prize are available
here.
Entries for the next prize are expected to open at the end of June and
close at the end of September.
The winner receives a cash prize of £10,000 (US$15,000).
A major international literary competition open to anyone aged 16 or
over. Stories can be up to 2500 words in length. The organisers also offer a
Manchester Poetry Prize.
Entries will open in February and close in September.
A first prize of US$1000
This contest is aimed at seeking out and encouraging talented writers. The
winning and runners-up entries will be forwarded to leading literary agents. Stories
can be up to 5000 words.
Entries open on 1st July and close 1st October.
The overall winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize will receive
£5000 and the remaining four regional winners receive £2500.
Continues with its aim to bring stories from new and emerging voices,
often from countries with little or no publishing infrastructure, to the
attention of an international audience. Open to all citizens of the 53 Commonwealth
countries, the prize covers the five Commonwealth regions: Africa, Asia, Canada
and Europe, Caribbean and Pacific.
One winner will be selected from each region, with one regional winner
to be selected as the overall winner.
Entries for the 2018 are expected to close on 1 November.
The winner of the John Steinbeck Short Story Award receives a cash prize
of US$1000 and all entries are considered for publication
One of three prizes offered by Reed Magazine, this award is for a work
of fiction up to 5000 words.
Entries open on 1 June and close 1 November.
Website: http://www.reedmag.org/submit
Prize: US$1500 and the story will be published in the magazine.
Competition is open writers who have not yet published a book of
fiction, poetry or creative non-fiction with a nationally distributed press.
Stories may be up to 8000 words and must be previously unpublished.
Entries close 31 December.
Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Captains Report 23rd November 2016
Melton Library
23rd November 2016
23rd November 2016
Hello Wordsmiths
Sonia, Kristen and Terry were apologies today. A great pity
because it was quite a vibrant session and I’m sure they would have enjoyed it.
We had critiques for today. From Terry, Kevin and me:
Terry fled the field of battle, preferring to live and fight
another day – Next Wednesday in fact.
Kevin’s chapter rolled up in an immaculate, light green Ford Prefect. It stopped beside a
bright red telephone booth and our intrepid storyteller jumped out with his
caped crusader costume under his arm and dived into the booth. Sadly, as he
slammed out of the small edifice yelling, ‘Up. Up and Away,’ he tripped on the
undies still around his ankles and fell on his face.
Kevin now
has a little work to do on his chapter: A few dents, scratches fixed, and a new
muffler will see it back on the road again, as gooderer (special word for
Joleen) as new.
As my chapter was presented for critique and the air raid
sirens began to wail, I grabbed my helmet and waited in terror for the shot and
shell to pound my position.
With Captain, Please B. Gentle at the helm, HMS ICBO sailed
into a hell storm of fire, taking massive hits to her stout timbers (and a huge
Huuumf from Judy). Most bounced off harmlessly, and after replacing and
reconfiguring just about everything I’ve written, she’ll be even better than
when she was first launched.
On behalf of both Kevin and myself, I’d like to thank the
Wordsmiths for once again, helping to improve our stories.
Next year’s calendar is done (attached). I’ve put a fun day
after every five critique weeks. Except for July. I’ve jumped a week there, as
the fun day would have landed on the school holidays. As the fun day is Sonia’s
baby and she can’t be there during school holidays, I’ve put it on the
following week.
Don’t forget lunch at Golden Fleas Hotel, 12.00 on Wednesday
the 14th December.
As always, a fun and helpful day today.
See you all on Friday night to watch and support our
victorious Wordsmith Warriors - Sonia, Kristen and Judy.
Les
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
Les's Weekly Roundup
MELTON LIBRARY
23rd November 2016
Melton Library
23rd November 2016
Hello Wordsmiths
Sonia, Kristen and Terry were apologies today. A great pity
because it was quite a vibrant session and I’m sure they would have enjoyed it.
We had critiques for today. From Terry, Kevin and me:
Terry fled the field of battle, preferring to live and fight
another day – Next Wednesday in fact.
Kevin’s chapter rolled up in an immaculate, light green Ford Prefect. It stopped beside a
bright red telephone booth and our intrepid storyteller jumped out with his
caped crusader costume under his arm and dived into the booth. Sadly, as he
slammed out of the small edifice yelling, ‘Up. Up and Away,’ he tripped on the
undies still around his ankles and fell on his face.
Kevin now
has a little work to do on his chapter: A few dents, scratches fixed, and a new
muffler will see it back on the road again, as gooderer (special word for
Joleen) as new.
As my chapter was presented for critique and the air raid
sirens began to wail, I grabbed my helmet and waited in terror for the shot and
shell to pound my position.
With Captain, Please B. Gentle at the helm, HMS ICBO sailed
into a hell storm of fire, taking massive hits to her stout timbers (and a huge
Huuumf from Judy). Most bounced off harmlessly, and after replacing and
reconfiguring just about everything I’ve written, she’ll be even better than
when she was first launched.
On behalf of both Kevin and myself, I’d like to thank the
Wordsmiths for once again, helping to improve our stories.
Next year’s calendar is done (attached). I’ve put a fun day
after every five critique weeks. Except for July. I’ve jumped a week there, as
the fun day would have landed on the school holidays. As the fun day is Sonia’s
baby and she can’t be there during school holidays, I’ve put it on the
following week.
Don’t forget lunch at Golden Fleas Hotel, 12.00 on Wednesday
the 14th December.
As always, a fun and helpful day today.
See you all on Friday night to watch and support our
victorious Wordsmith Warriors - Sonia, Kristen and Judy.
Les
Melton Library
16th November 2016
Hello Wordies,
Be still my beating heart - A full house yesterday, with
even the sun tanned, rested and relaxed Terry in attendance. Kristen’s husband
tried to stop her from coming by stealing her car, but we foxed him and picked
her up – Ha, ha, ha (maniacal laughter). Point scored for the good guys.
Julee’s chapter was the only piece under the spotlight
today, sent in with a flourish and a terse, ‘Do yer worse.’
Once I was able to bring our rioting crowd to some semblance
of order, we attempted to present our critiques. Easy you might say, but all I
can say is, ‘Hmmmm?’
Julee’s sleek armour-plated limousine (model Chapter 28),
floated down Critique Road with hardly a pothole to spoil the ride. With only a
scratch or two at the finish, a tire change and cut and polish will bring it
back to showroom condition. Well done Julee, another great offering.
As always, it was a great, fun session, with everyone
joining in.
The NaNoWriMo writers - Judy, Tracey and Terry - are all
doing well and if not lighting the world on fire, are well on the way to it.
Lunch has been booked at the Golden Fleas Hotel (257-263 High St, Melton) for 12.00 on Wednesday
the 14th December. Mathew will be there.
Lastly, I’d like to congratulate our three victorious
Wordsmith Warriors - Sonia, Kristen and Judy - for receiving a well-deserved
place in the Melton Writing Competition. I’m humbled in your presence and will
be there Friday week to bask in the limelight of your win.
See you all (except the ones I won’t) next week.
Les
Monday, 24 October 2016
Five Challenges When Shifting FromTraditional to Self Publishing
This link came into our inbox today and it makes good reading for writers unsure of which type of publishing works best for them.
https://www.chatebooks.com/blog-5-Challenges-When-Shifting-from-Traditional-to-Self-Publishing
Please leave a comment with what has been successful for you.
https://www.chatebooks.com/blog-5-Challenges-When-Shifting-from-Traditional-to-Self-Publishing
Please leave a comment with what has been successful for you.
Friday, 21 October 2016
Offset Sixteen Launch - by Les Stillman
Julee
and I attended the Offset Sixteen
launch last night. Both she and Matthew had their stories published in the
book.
Matthew
was already there looking quite dapper dressed in chinos, shirt and jacket. He
was standing aloof and intelligent his head cocked slightly to the side. Well,
we thought he was aloof, but in reality he was waiting for the bar to open,
listening for the tinkle of glasses – more shattered illusions.
We
had a great chat and a drink with Matthew before we separated to mingle.
Matthew was in his element and it was fun watching him flit
around meeting old friends and colleagues. As Yoda, would say, ‘Hmmm, popular
our young Matthew is.’
Once the crowd poured in and we had a drink in our hand we
started to mingle.
Julee’s shoes hurt her feet, so she had to sit down and wait for
visitors. Of course, they flocked to her in abundance and she had a great time
chatting with some interesting people. Jessi, the young girl we’d dealt with
throughout, swept Julee away introducing her to the other girls on her team,
all who wanted to tell her how much they loved her story.
I, on the other hand, had no restrictions. I slipped amongst the
crowd looking for interesting people, forcing them to talk to me so I could
bore them to death.
It was a most interesting group, full of very colourful
characters. I must say, everyone I spoke to was delightful. I had a lovely chat
with a girl who sported bright blue hair and dark blue lipstick. She was very
nice.
Anyway, back to the crowd. My favourite was a little lady who
looked like a lollipop stick. I say this in the nicest way I might add. She was
dressed in the colours of a rainbow, with leggings over her pants, a neck scarf
and a bandanna holding back a bird’s nest of hair with things sticking out of
it. She had a bright, intelligent face with huge glasses and she also carried a
walking/sitting stick, equally colourful as her dress. Somehow, it all came together
and worked. I had a great long chat with her and she was a delight. An artist
of course, who had one of her pieces on display. It was modernistic and
stimulating.
Anyway, having said all
that. It was a great night, we had fun and more to the point, I’m very proud of
both Julee and Matthew for winning and grinning.
Thursday, 8 September 2016
Local writer in the news
Local writer Christine Mackley is featured in a story by Sumeyya Ilanbey in this week's Star Weekly.
Christine, a multiple City of Melton Short Story Competition winner gave her views on what it takes to make a story stand out. She is proud that her work, Fair Fight, will be published in this year's Award Winning Australian Writing 2016.
Christine made a point of saying different things had helped her writing. One was being part of a writing group, this had helped because she had other like minded people to read and critique her work. She advised writers to use all of the five senses to put the reader into the story, so they can see, taste, hear and feel what the writer is saying.
Every word has to count in a short story so the writer needs to ask if it has a reason to be in your work.
Fair Fight took weeks of work to get it into shape before she submitted it.
Award Winning Australian Writing was launched at the beginning of Spring and should be available from a bookstore near you.
Christine, a multiple City of Melton Short Story Competition winner gave her views on what it takes to make a story stand out. She is proud that her work, Fair Fight, will be published in this year's Award Winning Australian Writing 2016.
Christine made a point of saying different things had helped her writing. One was being part of a writing group, this had helped because she had other like minded people to read and critique her work. She advised writers to use all of the five senses to put the reader into the story, so they can see, taste, hear and feel what the writer is saying.Every word has to count in a short story so the writer needs to ask if it has a reason to be in your work.
Fair Fight took weeks of work to get it into shape before she submitted it.
Award Winning Australian Writing was launched at the beginning of Spring and should be available from a bookstore near you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)