.pdf download available at foot of page.

Competition rules and application form

2008 OPEN SHORT STORY COMPETITION FOR AN ORIGINAL STORY NOT EXCEEDING 2500 WORDS

SENIOR JUDGE: MARION MOLTENO Prize winning novelist and short story writer. Author of 'Somewhere More Simple', 'A Language in Common' etc. 'Somewhere More Simple' is Marion Molteno's third novel. Both her earlier novels were highly acclaimed; 'A Shield of Coolest Air' won the David Thomas award and 'If You Can Walk You Can Dance' was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize. 'A Language in Common' is a vivid collection of short stories described as 'Extraordinary ... sensitive ... eye-opening.' Independent. This Link to Marion Molteno's website opens in a new window.

MAJOR PRIZES:

• Open Competition
  • 1st. Prize £300  sponsored by 'Conundrum'
  • 2nd. Prize £200
  • 3rd. Prize £100
  • Three runners-up £20
  • Plus Certificates of Distinction & Merit
• Local Awards - Sponsored by the Mere & District Chamber of Trade.
  Story by a resident living within a 10 mile radius of Mere. (Please tick box on Entry Form if eligible.)  Eligible local entrants entering the Open competition are also entered for this separate competition.
• Junior Sections
  Short Story
  AGE AS AT CLOSING DATE OF COMPETITION.
  • 11 years & Under  (Max.1000 words)
  • 12 - 16 years inclusive  (Max 1500 words)
• JUNIOR CASH AWARDS
  plus THE GRACE WINES MEMORIAL PRIZE for the best story from an entrant resident in Mere or attending a Mere School.

• ENTRY FEES:
  Please make cheques or POs payable to Mere Literary Festival

• OPEN:
  • £5.00 per first story
  • £4.00 second and subsequent entries
• JUNIORS:
  • £1.50 per story
  • 25% discount on school entries of 10 or more stories where, if preferred, one entry form together with a list giving details of entrant's name/age/title of entry may be sent.

• CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES:  JULY 7th. 2008

  Please send entries by post as early as possible to:

  MLF Competition, Lawrences, Old Hollow, MERE, Wilts. BA12 6EG

• NB New PO size charging in force. Please ensure correct postage

• ADJUDICATION & AWARD CEREMONY - SUNDAY OCTOBER 19th. 3pm.
  with Marion Molteno and the Local & Junior judges.

  All short-listed entrants and merit awards will be informed before 30th. Sept and invited to the awards, although you don't have to be a winner, or even an entrant, to come along to this event. Adjudications given by experienced and successful writers are a great way to learn.

  Please read the competition rules before completing your entry form and posting off your story. Your entry will help the work of the Mere & District Linkscheme (Reg Charity No;1062328)and your support is much appreciated.

MERE LITERARY FESTIVAL COMPETITION RULES

1.   All entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not have been previously published, broadcast on radio or TV, or awarded a prize in a competition.
2.   Entries must be in English and typed or very clearly written on one side only of A4 paper.
3.   Submissions must not bear the name of the author or have any other form of identification. The author's name must only appear on the Entry Form. Submissions bearing identification of any kind will be disqualified and entry fees will not be returned. Entries will be coded for the judging.
4.   Any number of entries may be submitted providing the relevant fees are enclosed. The Entry Form may be photocopied.
5.   No competitor may win more than one prize. This does not apply to supplementary or special prizes.
6.   Entries will not be returned and competitors are advised to keep a copy of their work. All reasonable care will be taken, but the Mere & District Linkscheme accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage to manuscripts.
7.   Submissions will not be acknowledged unless a suitably worded, stamped addressed postcard is included with the entry.
8.   The Judges decisions are final. No correspondence will be entered into.
9.   Copyright of material remains with the author but the Mere & District Linkscheme reserve the right to use entries at festival events and, with the author's permission, on the festival website.
10.    Trustees of the Mere & District Linkscheme and anyone helping to organise the festival are not eligible to enter any competition.
11.    Short-listed entrants and merit awards will be notified by September 30th. and all winners will be announced at the Festival Sunday Event. Results will be made available to the Local & Writing Press. Competitors wanting a copy of the results or monies raised should enclose sae marked RESULTS or MONEY with their entry.
12.    In the event of the festival being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, all monies will be refunded in full.

Entrants are asked to pay particular attention to rules 1 - 3

Entries should be sent by post to arrive by the competition closing date to:

MLF Competition
Lawrences,
Old Hollow,
MERE
Wilts.
BA12 6EG

PLEASE CHECK YOU HAVE PAID THE CORRECT POSTAGE UNDER THE NEW POST OFFICE PRICING STRUCTURE.

Mere Literary Festival

Rules & Downloads