THIS COMPETITION IS CLOSEDTO FURTHER ENTRIES

JUDGING IS NOW IN PROGRESS

RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THIS WEBSITE
ON OR BEFORE 17TH FEBRUARY 2014


We invite you to enter our

'FULL STOP' SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2013

FREE ENTRY

We invite you to write a short story using a theme of  'FULL STOP'. You may wish to write about the finality of a situation, a lack of movement, or simply the end – period.  Your story may be about something completely different to these suggestions yet whatever you choose to write about, you must use the theme of  'FULL STOP' and please make sure your story has no more than 2,000 words.  There is no minimum word count and your story must reach us by the close date of noon (GMT) Thursday 7th November 2013.  Please read the Rules of Entry below and complete an entry form before sending your entry.

The prize for this competition is an essential tool-kit for all writers.  The three books from the popular
Teach Yourself® series take you from ‘getting started in creative writing’, to writing a novel and then getting it published! For more information about the books go to www.teachyourself.com

We are delighted our judge is Helen Baggott

I have enjoyed writing – and reading – fiction for as long as I can  remember. From essays written at school to a prize-winning story published by Writers’ Forum, fiction has always been a large part of my life. 

I began writing seriously about 20 years ago and since then I’ve also focused on non-fiction, writing for local magazines, private clients and even editing a community magazine. 

The ePublishing revolution has opened up a world of opportunities. It’s never been
easier for a writer to reach readers by self-publishing their work - and as a proof-reader of eBooks I get to read the work of emerging talent. But please don’t worry that I will reject a story because of a typo. A good story begins and ends with a good plot, so unless an error detracts from that plot, I won’t hold it against you.  However, all writers should endeavour to present their work error-free – whether it’s for pleasure, for profit or within a competition.

Through my work I never know what a story will reveal and always look forward to that next, magical journey. That’s why I was so pleased to be invited to judge this competition.  

It’s a privilege to read new work and a delight to be involved in this competition. Where will your story take me? 
  
http://www.helenbaggott.co.uk/

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One winner will receive all three books shown above, and two further winners will each receive one free entry to our Open Short Story Competition 2014.

Open to all ages, worldwide.  This competition is FREE TO ENTER.

'FULL STOP' Short Story Competition 2013 - RULES OF ENTRY

If you would like a copy of these Rules of Entry and the Entry Form, please email
Debbie at erewashwriterscomps(at)hotmail.co.uk
 
1 Emailed entries must be in English and double line spacing is preferable.   Postal entries must be in English and typed in double line spacing.  As entries will be judged anonymously please ensure the entry form is completed and send your entry without any identifying details eg your name.  Any such details included will result in disqualification.

1a) Entry by EMAIL: Entry forms to be in body of an email sent to erewashwriterscomps(at)hotmail.co.uk
with subject title: ENTRY FULL STOP 2013.  Your entry can be sent in the same email or in a further email, in the body of an email with the subject title: FULL STOP COMP 2013 ENTRY.
Your entry will be forwarded on without any identifying details.

We are not accepting entries by attachment for this competition.

1b) Entry by POST:  Complete the entry form and enclose it with your entry. 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.

2 Entries will be acknowledged by email so please ensure your email address is clearly stated.
 
3 ‘FULL STOP' is the theme.

4 No minimum word count, maximum 2,000 words, not including title. 

5 FREE ENTRY. Two stories per entrant permitted.

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

7 The winning story will be published on Erewash Writers' Group competition website.  We will publish your story and remove it at a later date if you ask us to.  You're welcome to put a link to your blog, website or email with your winning entry if you wish.

8 Copyright remains with author.

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

10 Entries that have received an award from a previous competition, or anywhere else will be
disqualified.  Entries currently waiting to be judged in other competitions, or that have been submitted for publication and are awaiting response will be disqualified.

11 Closing date for the competition is noon (GMT) Thursday 7th November 2013.  PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FOR ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS -  winners will be announced on this site, on or before Monday 17th February 2014.  We have extended our reading time because a large number of entries have been received for this competition.
  
12 Prizes will be awarded to three winners as follows: First Prize - three books from the popular
Teach Yourself® series, Second Prize - one free entry to Open Competition 2014, Third Prize - one free entry to Open Competition 2014.

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

14 No corrections will be accepted.

15  Critique service: A basic critique for your story can be provided, with notes on story 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 story, 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 erewashwriterscomps(at)hotmail.co.uk
 
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.

16 There are things that 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. 

17 Entry implies acceptance of the rules.

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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 erewashwriterscomps(at)hotmail.co.uk if you’d like to find out more or to enrol on the course.