Launch of 2014 NZ Writers’ College Short Story Competition

Launch of 2014 NZ Writers’ College Short Story Competition

NZ Writers’ College launched its fifth annual national short story competition today. Closing on 30 September 2014, entrants must submit their 2000-word stories based on a theme that draws from a line by Charles Dickens: “... it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.”

The competition is judged by a panel of well known writers, including award-winning Paul Smith, Philippa Werry, Rosemary Hepözden, Edwin McRae, as well as the acclaimed international short story writer Ginny Swart.

Sponsored by NZ Writers’ College, the prizes are as follows:

• First Prize: $1000.00 and publication in an anthology of winning stories
• Second Prize: $500.00 and publication in an anthology of winning stories
• People’s Choice Award: $500.00

The free-to-enter writing competition aims to uncover talented aspirant writers, and past winners include Feby Idrus, Stephanie Attwood and Aaron Ure. All three writers have gone on to be finalists in other national writing competitions in New Zealand.

“We’re looking for a special winning 'presence' in the stories that we shortlist,” says Nichola Meyer, principal of NZ Writers’ College. “They must display originality, authenticity, believable characters and that hint of bitter-sweetness that runs through all our lives.”

Open to New Zealand and Australian residents over the age of 16, writers must submit their stories to Nichola Meyer at nichola@nzwriterscollege.co.nz by midnight on 30 September 2014. The shortlist is published on 18 October, and the winners announced on 31 October on the website at www.nzwriterscollege.co.nz.

Full competition rules, guidelines and archived competitions can be found at www.nzwriterscollege.co.nz
Contact: Nichola Meyer: 09 550 4635; nichola@nzwriterscollege.co.nz
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/writerscollege?ref=hl

ENDS

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