WE are looking for an original short story, poem or piece of writing with an Irish theme of up to 1,000 words.
The winner will get the chance to take part in the prestigious Listowel Writers’ Week in Co. Kerry, which takes place May 30 – June 3, plus €500 in prize money.
The winning piece of work will also be published in The Irish Post and the official Listowel Writers’ Week brochure.
Last year's winner was lawyer turned poet Judy O'Kane, who has encouraged wirters to enter the 2018 competition.
"I was delighted to win the Irish Post prize in 2017," she said.
"Listowel Writers’ Week is a great blend of culture and craic and it is such an honour to step into this rich tradition, to read with writers like Emma Donoghue and Bernard O’Donoghue and Vona Groarke, to have a portrait taken at the Listowel Arms by John Minihan.
She added: "I would warmly encourage writers to enter this competition. The Irish Post prize marked the beginning of a great year.
"Shortly after Listowel I won the National Memory Day prize judged by Sir Andrew Motion, as well as poetry prizes at Guernsey Literary Festival, Wells Festival of Literature and Glebe House (N. Ireland).
"It’s such an exciting time to be an Irish writer, and an Irish writer living in London."
The 2018 line-up includes Edna O’Brien, Margaret Drabble, Anthony Horowitz, Fergal Keane, Adrian Dunbar, John McGregor, Ian Robertson, Carlo Gébler, Michael Harding, Julia Parsons and Alex Preston.
Fergal Keane (Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Peabody Awards)Entries should be emailed to [email protected] with ‘Listowel Writers’ Week’ in the subject line.
Typed entries can also be sent to Listowel Writers’ Week Competition, The Irish Post, 88 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BY
Remember to include the story/poem title, your name, address, email and telephone number.
Closing date for entries is midnight on Friday, March 2, 2018.
Terms and condition apply. This competition is open to residents in Britain only.
Read about last year's winner here
Terms and Conditions:
- Entries, which must be no more than 1,000 words and have an Irish theme, cannot have been previously published
- All entries must be typed
- Please retain a copy, as entries will not be returned
- Please submit your name and contact details on a separate sheet. The entrant’s identity must not appear on the competition entry
- Entries may be in Irish or in English / Is féidir iontrálacha a bheith i mBéarla nó i nGaeilge
- An unlimited number of entries per person may be submitted for The Irish Post Creative Writing Competition
- The judges verdict is final and no correspondence shall be entered into regarding individual competition entries
- Winners only will be notified
- The winner’s prize includes accomodation in Listowel during the festival (terms and ocnditions apply), return flights for two from London to Shannon courtesy of Aer Lingus* and car hire from Budget Car Rental Ireland* (terms and conditions apply). No cash alternatives will be offered in lieu of these, any other expenses must be covered by the winner themselves
- The Irish Post and Listowel Writers’ Week are not responsible for any costs incurred
- Awards may not be presented where an appropriate standard is not achieved
- Listowel Writers’ Week reserves the right to withhold or to publish winning entries in the publication Winners’ Anthology 2017
About Listowel Writer’s Week:
Listowel Writers’ Week is an internationally acclaimed literary festival devoted to bringing together writers and audiences at unique and innovative events in the historic and intimate surroundings of Listowel, Co. Kerry.
See More: Featured, Kerry, Listowel Writers’ Week
