2009 Short Story Competition

For this year's competition, entrants should submit a fictional historical short story.

It can involve love, mystery or crime, but it must be set in the past, and either be connected in some way with an historical event in Kent, or be involved with some part of Kentish Life.

It could for instance be concerned with the Roman or Anglo-Saxon settlements, the Peasant's Revolt of 1381, the Miners Strike of 1984, or the building of the Channel Tunnel. It might involve a soldier or nurse waiting to go to France during the First World War, or a Battle of Britain pilot during the Second World War.

Alternatively it could involve something to do with hop or fruit picking, fishing, the Channel ferries or any other aspect of Kent life.

Entrants to the competition should submit an unpublished piece of fiction of up to 1000 words

There is no entry fee, and the competition is open to all. There are three age categories: age 11 and under, age 12 - 17 and age 18 and over.

• The winners of the over 18 category will receive a prize of £100, and the winners of the categories for the age 11 and under, and age 12 - 17 years will each receive £50.<

• The winning stories, along with those of some of the runners-up will be read out at an event during the festival in November, at which the prizes will be presented.

• The winning stories will be posted on the Festival website, where the 2008 winning stories can also be seen.

Three copies of your story together with a completed entry form should be posted to:

Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival, c/o Waterstone's Booksellers, 16 Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 1DP or e-mail them to: shortstory@friendsoffolkestonebookfest.co.uk.

Alternatively they can be handed in at Waterstone's Booksellers, 16 Sandgate Road, Folkestone

Please ensure that your name, address and phone number are written at the start of your story.

To download an entry form please click here. Entries will only be acknowledged if you include a stamped, self addressed envelope.

The closing date for all entries is the 16th October 2009

 

The Winner of the 18 and over age group was Jan Seaman. Click here to see her short story

The winner of the Under 18 age group was Alicia Wright-Toomer (Her short story is not at present available)

The runner up in the Under 18 age group was Rosie Mount. Click here to see her short story.