Wednesday, October 14, 2015

COMPETITION MONTHLY!

We are thrilled to announce a new series for the RNA blog. Each month our Competition Monthly will bring news of writing competitions that we hope will appeal to members. We’ve invited Francesca Burgess to compile our list. Thank you, Francesca. Over to you…

Writing a novel is a long undertaking and it can take a while to reap any rewards. For this reason I like to enter short story competitions. These have the potential to earn you some interim money as well as boost your confidence. It also gives you something different to write if you're sick of you current WIP (and we all go through that stage!). As they say, a change is as good as a rest. As for novel comps, they're another avenue for your book, or something to put on your CV if the prize you win isn't publication.

Here's a tip, which I know shouldn't need saying but having judged comps myself I know does need saying: always read the rules and conditions several times. I like to print up or photocopy the 'how to enter' page and tick off each item as I do it. That way I know I've done all they want of me.

**Closing soon** The Caledonian Novel Award. Any genre for adults or young adults, at least 50,000 words. Unpublished novelists only but can have an agent. First prize: £1,000. C/D 1November 2015. Entry £20. Link to details

The Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition 2015. Novels for 7-to-18-year-olds. First prize: worldwide publishing deal, advance of £10,000 (subject to contract). C/D 18 December. Entry £10. Link to details

Magic Oxygen Literary Prize for short stories up to 4,000 words and poetry up to 50 lines. Open theme. Prizes £1000/£300/£100/2x£50. C/D 31 December 2015. Entry £5.

The Henshaw Short Story Competition for short stories up to 2,000 words. Open theme. Prizes £100/£50/£25. C/D 31 December 2015. Entry £5.  Link to details

The Writers' Bureau Short Story Competition for short stories up to 2,000 words. Open theme. Prizes £300/£200/£100/£50 + publication + free WB course. C/D 30 Nov 2015. Entry £5.  Link to details


Francesca Burgess has been placed or shortlisted in a number of competitions including Twyford Writers, Winchester Writers' Conference, Chorley and District Writers' Circle, Cordelia.net, Flash a Famous Phrase, Meridian Writing and those run by Writers' News and Writing Magazine. She's had stories published in magazines worldwide and in three anthologies, including Diamonds and Pearls. She's been a member of the RNA New Writers' Scheme for five years.





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If you are organising a writing competition please send details to Francesca via the comments section on the blog.

Thank you, Francesca. We look forward to next month’s ‘Competition Monthly’.

The RNA blog is brought to you by,

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman


If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

3 comments:

Francesca Capaldi said...

Thank you Elaine and Natalie for giving me the opportunity to fill this slot.

Sheryl Browne said...

Brilliant idea! Well done! :) xx

Sandra Mackness said...

Thanks, Francesca, for your thoughts. It's good to hear of competitions, especially when some kind soul has taken the trouble to research the details!