Prima Magazine runs a short story competition every month. Even if you are writing a novel – or non-fiction – how about trying out a short story over the Christmas holidays for a change. A change does us all good. What’s that idea you’ve had in your head for ages and not done anything about? What character has ‘chatted’ to you for years but you’ve never had a space to put him/her into? What snip of a story have you heard that you’d like to explore and take further? I chatted to the features editor at Prima Magazine yesterday and she’d love to read your short stories and if you win, you get £200 plus see your story in print (and who knows, maybe get noticed by an agent/publisher).
So rules:
The word limit is 400 words and you can send it via email to yourwinningstory@natmags.co.uk or by post to Your Winning Story, Prima, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. They also require a photograph – a simple head and shoulders shot with a smile on your face. If you are successful they would need to publish your picture alongside your story. Time to be bold and put your writing and you out there!
Further information and rules are as follows (you can also find this in the small print of the magazine – in the Your Winning Story section):
Only one entry will be accepted per person. The competition is open to UK residents. Overseas entrants are eligible. First prize is £200. Five runners-up will each receive a year’s subscription to Prima. Entry to the competition and acceptance of the prize constitutes permission to use the winner’s name for promotional purposes and for publishing within Prima without additional consultation. Entries may be edited for publication. This competition is not open to employees of the National Magazine Company Ltd or their direct family members. The most deserving entry, in Prima’s sole opinion, will be chosen as the overall winner. Only the winner will be contacted personally. The prize is as stated, although, The National Magazine Company Ltd reserves the right to change the prize in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If it is in The National Magazine Company Ltd’s opinion that no entries are deemed of a publishable standard, The National Magazine Ltd reserves the right not to award any prize. The National Magazine Company Ltd does not accept any responsibility for any late or lost entries. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. The National Magazine Company Ltd’s decision is final in every situation, including any not covered above, and no correspondence will be entered into. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to agree to be bound by them. The National magazine Company Ltd shall be permitted to exclude any entrant at any time at its sole discretion. By entering the competition you agree that, if requested, the copyright and all other rights in respect of the entry shall be assigned to The National Magazine Company Ltd.
Have fun and let us know if you win!
Hi,
I’ve just discovered you through the Writing Magazine and am really excited by the possibility of communicating with other would be and published writers.
I had my father’s book published a few years ago – Another Man’s Shoes – and that’s given me the bug to write my own stuff. So far I’ve written two children’s books and am two thirds of the way through an adult novel. But none of its been published so I’m hoping to be able to get hints and tips from your website about where to go and who to approach and how to make the manuscripts presentable.
I am in the middle of doing a writing course through the Writer’s Forum and am beginning to enter short story competitions. So as you can see, even if I’m not (yet) successful I am (still) persistent!!
How do I join? Oh – and Happy New Year!
All the best, Ellie
Hi Ellie – you certainly doing all the right things. Keep going. To join the club, just take a look at the page: http://www.londonwritersclub.com/join-the-club/ We look forward to meeting you at an event or ‘online’.
Kirsty.