Fancy working on your writing while staying on the Isle of Jura?
Hello to anyone new checking out Writer's Block for the first time after reading about me and my blog in this morning's Daily Post. (I feature in a double page spread all about reading and books.)
Hasn't it been a gorgeous weekend? Of course all this sunshine means two things: 1) Yes, I got sunburned again (I don't sunbathe, and I slap on the high factor suncream when out and about but I still end up with bright red shoulders. 2) I'm constantly wishing I was on holiday, somewhere with a nice breeze, a sea view and lots of peace, quiet and time for writing.
Well here's a competition for those of you also craving a writers' retreat.
I love Scotland and have enjoyed many a holiday there, so this writing competition is one I wish I was eligible for - hopefully you are.
The prize is an all-paid stay for the whole of October on the Isle of Jura - where writers including Wilf Self and George Orwell have stayed and felt inspired - courtesy of Scottish Book Trust and Jura single malt whisky in association with The Times.
Entrants must have had a short story published in a magazine but not a book.
The winner will receive a bursary of £2,500; return travel costs from within the UK to Jura; sole use of the Jura distillery lodge on a self-catering basis for the month of October, 2008; the option to bring family and/or friends for all or part of their stay in the lodge and use of a hire car for the month (N.B. travel costs will only be covered for the writer).
Entrants must send six copies of both their completed application form and a short story (max 3,000 words.) More details and the form are available from www.scottishbooktrust.com. The deadline for entries is June 9. The Retreat is open to writers of prose fiction who are UK residents, aged 18 years or over. The writer will be expected to produce one short story inspired by the retreat, acknowledge the Jura Malt Whisky Writer Retreat in their first published book and write a blog/article about their time on Jura.
Applications will be considered by a selection panel including Marc Lambert (Chief Executive, Scottish Book Trust), Erica Wagner (Literary Editor, The Times), Mic Cheetham (Literary Agent) and John Burnside (Writer).
* Finally congratulations to Rebecca Colby of Harrogate who is the lucky winner of my Jacky Daydream/Paperchase competition. Rebecca correctly answered that Jacqueline Wilson is famous for wearing rings. I'm hoping to send the parcel to you today.
For those who didn't win, stay tuned for another giveaway tomorrow.
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