This competition is closed
as @ 2nd May 2013



We invite you to enter our

'BURST' Flash Fiction Competition 2013 

First Prize £50, Second Prize £25
 

1,000 words maximum

Free mini-crit feedback for all entrants


Close date: May 2013

Winning stories will be published on this website and
prizes awarded to three winners as follows: 
First Prize - £50
 Second Prize - £25
Third Prize - free entry to our Open Competition 2013

This competition closes at a time of year when much of the world around us will be bursting into life.  We invite you to try your hand at flash fiction using the theme 'BURST' for inspiration.  

It is acceptable if your entry is about something that is about to burst, has burst, bursts, or is bursting.  There is no minimum word count, and the maximum word count is 1,000 words.

A few words of feedback ie a free mini-crit will be given to each entrant if your email is clearly stated or if you enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.  We cannot respond in any way to you if you do not provide clear details.

Entry fee: £1.50 for one entry, £2.50 for two, £3.00 for three, £1 thereon

Please read Rules of Entry before sending your entry.

RULES OF ENTRY

If you would like a copy of these Rules of Entry and the Entry Form please email
Debbie at  [email protected]

1 All entries must be in English. Double line spacing is preferable. As entries will be judged anonymously please ensure the entry form is completed.

2  Entry by EMAIL: Send your completed **entry form in the body of an email. Send it to Debbie at
e[email protected]  subject title: ENTRY - BURST (and your name) eg ENTRY - BURST  (Debbie Wilkinson).

Your entry can be sent in the same email as your entry form, or you can send it in a second email.  You can choose to send it either
a) in the body of an email with the subject title: BURST COMP ENTRY (and your name)
or
b) send it as an attachment, with the subject title of the email: BURST COMP ENTRY (and your name).

If you send an attachment, please send each entry as a separate attachment in WORD and make
sure the title of the attachment or file is exactly the same as the story title you put on the
entry form.  Make sure you do not put anything on the entry to identify yourself.  All entries are judged anonymously and any identifying marks will mean we cannot forward your entry to the judging process, yet we will retain the fee.

Attachments will be opened when your payment has cleared so expect a slight delay between sending your entry and confirmation of receipt.  For this reason, we suggest the earlier you send your entry, the
better it will be for your peace of mind.

If you wish to enter by email, you will need to send your entry fee in a cheque separately by post. Paypal is an available means of payment for this competition.  Please contact Debbie if you would like to pay by this method.  [email protected]
 
3 Entry by POST:  Complete the ** entry form and enclose it with your entry/fee. Make sure you do not
put anything on the entry to identify yourself.  All entries are judged anonymously and any identifying marks will mean we cannot forward your entry to the judging process, yet we will retain the fee.

Ensure correct postage is paid otherwise your entry will remain at the sorting office. Our postal address is:  EWG Competition, Parklands Connexion, Stanhope St, Long Eaton, NG10 4QN.

You can enclose entries to more than one competition in one envelope if you wish as long as each entry is accompanied by the correct entry form. It is acceptable to fold your entry once only if you wish to use a smaller size envelope.

4 Entries will be acknowledged by email so please ensure your email address is clearly stated.  If you don’t have email and wish to send a self stamped addressed postcard, we will use that to acknowledge your entry.

5  ‘BURST’ is the theme.  Whatever you choose to write using this theme is entirely up to you.  We will also accept entries which may include something that is about to burst, has burst, bursts, or is bursting.  

6 No minimum word count, maximum 1,000 words, not including title.

7 FEE £1.50 for one entry, £2.50 for two entries, £3.00 for three entries, £1 per entry thereon.  You can enter as many times as you wish but only one entry per entrant can win a prize and every entry must be acccompanied by the appropriate payment.  Please send a cheque payable to D Wilkinson.

8 Entrants can be any age. All entries will be judged anonymously and no allowance made for age.

9 We are happy to publish your story on this website and remove it at a later date if you require
us to do so.  You are welcome to put a link to your blog, website or email with your winning entry if you wish.

10 Copyright remains with author.

11 Entries cannot have been previously published and must be the original work of the entrant. Entries will be disqualified if found in print or online anywhere, including blogs.

12 Please do not send us entries that have received an award from a previous competition, or anywhere else.  Please do not send us entries currently waiting to be judged in other competitions, or
that have been submitted for publication and are awaiting response will be disqualified.

13 Closing date for the competition is noon (GMT) Thursday 2nd May 2013. Winners will be announced
on this site, on or before Monday 4th June 2013.

14 Prizes awarded to three winners as follows: Publication on this website, First Prize - £50, Second Prize - £25. Third placed receives one free entry to our Open Competition 2013.

15 The judge's decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

16 No corrections will be accepted.

17 Free mini-crit feedback provided to all entrants.  (Please note: this is not equivalent to our basic or indepth critique service. It will be a few words of feedback.)

18 Critique service: A basic critique for your entry can be provided, with notes on opening, ending, characterisation, etc for £3.00.  A detailed critique service is also available, which includes advice
about how to improve any weak areas in your entry, a rewrite and more feedback for £10.00. We accept
non-competition submissions and will consider works with a high word count.   Please email Debbie for more information at [email protected]

If you would like to receive a critique, please send a cheque payable to D Wilkinson for the correct amount to EWG Competition, Parklands Connexion, Stanhope St, Long Eaton, NG10 4QN.

19 There are things we do not expect to have to read. Unless it's intrinsic to the plot or motivation of the characters do not send us stories containing overt cruelty to children.

20 Entry implies acceptance of the rules.

21 No refunds given. Only exception to this rule will be if we cancel the competition (eg if not enough entries have been received to cover the prize fund). 

** This information added 3rd April: You can transfer the information from the entry from to an email or separate sheet using cut and paste ie you don't have to use the original document, just make sure ALL the details on the  original are included

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SHORT STORY WRITING COURSE: We are pleased to offer a Short Story writing course.  This
course is suitable for beginners and for those who have been writing for a while yet would appreciate a helping hand.   Our online six-module course is £36 and this fee is discounted to £30 for those
who entered the Open Competition 2012, and for those who enter the Open Competition 2013. 

Please contact Debbie [email protected] if you’d like to find out more or to enrol on the course.