Writing Competitions...

One way to test the waters of the literary world is by entering for competitions. Here are two quite interesting ones. And of course, there are entry fees. Read instructions carefully--they are important on the road to success or failure! 

Sentinel Literary Quarterly Short Story Competition has been introduced to encourage and reward quality short fiction writing, create and sustain awareness about the publication and if by any chance a small financial margin is achieved at the end of each competition, that will go back into producing the magazine and help keep it a free-to-read publication.

 Competition Details 

• Subject: Short Stories may be on any subject.
• Length: Maximum 1,500 words per story
• Entry Fees: £5.00 per story, £9.00 for 2 stories and £12.00 for 3 stories.
• Prizes--First Prize: £100.00, Second Prize: £60.00, Third Prize: £40.00. More information here.

Ambit Magazine 200 Words Prose and Poetry Competition

To celebrate their 200th issue Ambit invites you to enter their 200 WORDS COMPETITION! Send in poems or prose of 200 words for a chance to win any of these: 1st prize: £500, 2nd prize: £200, 3rd prize: £75. More information here.

To have a feel of the world of Ambit, read a PDF Copy here. And if you are thinking about their general submissions guidelines, take a look at this.

KWANI TRUST: Short Story Competition

Do you live in Kenya or have memories about Kenya? Kwani Trust is pleased to announce the launch of a national short story competition titled, ‘The Kenya I Live In’, inspired by the recent push for ‘The Kenya We Want’, and ubiquitous conversations about a 2030 vision that places our heads in the clouds and obscures who we are and what we really are.

The 46-year old Kenya’s official narrative of ‘inherent’ goodness, indigenous beauty and widespread peace has now been running on empty for a while. So we seek newer stories that reflect our day to day lives, both private and public: the stories and narratives exchanged in schools, colleges, matatus, offices, churches, pubs, streets, suburbs, estates, mtaas, trading centres, valleys and hills. Stories told through song and dance, paint and brush, word and phrase, lens and shutter – stories now being told by a new generation, spurred by new imaginations, revealed by new narratives and expressions.

In addition to being published in tour upcoming issue, Kwani? 06, the three best stories will bag cash prizes. Submission deadline is September 7th 2009, also read submission guidelines here