Sunday 22 February 2009

STORY COMP - PAY TO ENTER - NO PRIZE?

A warning... a short story competition seems to be running, asking for your hard-earned cash as an entry fee. And the grand prize is... nothing.

HERE

Makes you wonder what is going on. I have emailed the administrators, to find out if they have omitted to mention the prize on the website. I will keep you posted.

Of course, if it is there, and I have missed it, please do let me know!
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Updated, Tuesday 24th feb

No response to my email: BUT This has now appeared on the website:


The short story competition ....will be judged by the renowned local author Greg Mosse. There will be prizes for three winners in the adult category and a book token prize for the two best under -16 entries. These will be presented at a high profile prize-giving at a literary event during the festival. The competition is open to ages 12 and above and the theme is open.

Deadline is fast approaching though – 31st March – and information on how to apply and the competition rules can be found here or by sending a SAE to: The Short Story Competition Secretary, 67, King's Stone Ave , Steyning, BN44 3FJ .


There will be prizes... but WHAT!!! I'm afraid that isnt good enough... until they specify what you can win for your outlay of £4.00 for one, and £10.00 for three entries... I'd advise entering your work elsewhere.


...edit, March.

Right, they have finally stated the prizes. One weekend for writers, at a fixed date, in West Sussex. (what if you aren't free?) and two small cash prizes.

13 comments:

Douglas Bruton said...

I couldn't see many details HERE... it didn't say there was a fee, just as it didn't say there was a prize.

???

D

Vanessa Gebbie said...

If you click on their link for rules, at the bottom of the page, look at the rules, and No 8 states you pay £4.00 per story, or enter three for £10.00.

Unknown said...

Oh there must be a prize surely? I have hopes that it's just an error on their part that it isn't stated. It can't just be the *thrill* of having one's story read...can it?

Vanessa Gebbie said...

If it is just that, it is not a comp I would recommend. But as I say, I have emailed them, and am waiting...

S. Kearney said...

Hi Vanessa, I see now the site says details of the prizes will be posted soon. Reaction to this post? Sympathies re payments and recognition etc. Some people!

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Shameless!!!! How nice to see you here.

Re the website: it has not changed... the mention of prizes being posted later was there before.

Trouble is, the website will be updated at the end of march it says... and when does the comp close? End of March!!

Still no communication from the sdministration. The plot thickens.

Frances said...

If they can't even be bothered to finalise the prize(s), that doesn't give a very good impression.

Group 8 said...

The site says: "There will be prizes for three winners in the adult category and a book token prize for the two best under -16 entries. These will be presented at a high profile prize-giving at a literary event during the festival. The competition is open to ages 12 and above and the theme is open."
No specifics for the adult prizes.

Vanessa Gebbie said...

well well well... no reply to my email... but a whole new coupla paragraphs on the webite!!

that was stunning timing. Judge now announced as well!

still doest say what the prizes are...

might be £25.00 or £2.00 or £10.00 or £500.00 or anything!

so Im afraid I still can't suggest writers enter.

Frances said...

I see it says the competition is "open to anyone in the area" - so presumably that means just the inhabitants of Steyning and its surrounds?

Vanessa Gebbie said...

I guess so... again, it is unclear.

norton said...

It says the prizes now - writing weekend is 1st, £50 2nd and £25 3rd. Perhaps they hadn't finalised when they first advertised? I agree though, bit backwards to announce the comp and fees before the prizes.

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Thank you very much for letting me know.