As you know I love writing competitions and one I have entered this year is the writers inc writers-of-the-year competition.
The deadline passed on the 14th but I sent my story off earlier in the year. I've read in lots of writing advice books and magazines that competition organisers receive most entries in the last week. I don't know if you really stand a better chance of success by submitting early but it means you're more likely to finish your story and less likely to miss the deadline - it can happen. There were various categories for writers inc including poetry, short stories, writing for children and feature journalism. There was also an entry fee - some people avoid competitions you have to pay to enter but they are becoming more common and this contest has been running for 15 years - it's always a good idea to try and find out some background even if its a simple google check if you've any concerns about a competition's authenticity. Usually an entry fee will mean a cash prize too, in this case the prize for the winning writing for children entry also includes being read by a leading London Literary Agency "with a view to future developments" so it's definitely worth a try. This particular competition also includes bursaries for London-based writers and possible publication in an anthology. Winners will be told week beginning Monday 28 July. It is quite normal for there to be a gap of a few months before results are announced - and I certainly don't envy the judges having to read all the entries.
Another competition which you do still have time to enter is the Frome Festival Short Story Competition 2008 for stories of any theme between 1,000 and 2,200 words.
The final judge is popular author Katie Fforde and you can read previous winners on their website (http://www.fromefestival.co.uk/2007/index.html) - I really enjoyed Joanna Ford's winning story 'The power of purple' about a woman who is seduced by a brightly coloured jacket.
This year the first prize is £300, second £150 and third £75 - entry is £5 per story you may also like to have an indepth critique of your work for an extra £25. Multiple entries are allowed but stories must be previously unpublished.
Check out the full rules online at http://www.fromefestival.co.uk/2008/highlights/shortstory.html or email ffshortstorycomp@yahoo.co.uk
Good luck
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