Calling all would-be authors! North Notts Short Story Competition launch announced

Following the success of previous competitions, Bassetlaw District Council is asking local writers to submit stories based around this year’s theme of ‘Wars and Pieces’, chosen to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1.

The poignant theme was chosen because this year we mark the centenary of the end of hostilities in what was thought to be “The War to End War”.

But of course, it did no such thing and even today wars destroy cities; tear apart countries and shatter lives.

Armed conflict, battles and wars are some of humanities earliest occupations and war throughout time and across the globe has given writers inspiration for thousands of years.

In its wake, war leaves behind pieces; pieces of places; pieces of ways of life; pieces for people.

But creation can be born of the carnage. Medical expertise, technological advance and new attitudes within society can all benefit the world when the shooting has stopped.

Entries for this year’s short story competition can take on any number of these elements and do not have to be about the first World War. It could be set in the era of the Crusades or even far into the future.

While authors can now start to piece together their plots and characters, the competition will officially open for entries on May 20, as part of a special event at the Walled Kitchen Gardens of Clumber Park.

‘Bonnets to Breeches’, the winning entry from 2017 written by Elizabeth Carney-Marsh - about a young girl from London who joins the Women’s Land Army and is stationed at Clumber Park - has been turned into a Promenade Theatre piece that will be unveiled to the public during a number of performances throughout the day on May 20.

Councillor Jo White, deputy leader of Bassetlaw District Council said: “We are delighted to hold this very popular competition once again and hope it is as successful as last year’s.

“It attracted so many excellent entries that we decided to publish nine of the very best stories in a book.

“We are also really looking forward to seeing ‘Bonnets to Breeches’ brought to life against the beautiful backdrop of Clumber Park and hope that people will come and see this story being brought to life.”

The 2018 North Notts Short Story Competition is open to Bassetlaw residents of any age and stories should be no more than 8,000 words.

Entries should be submitted as a file attachment (PDF or word) and sent to [email protected] before the closing date of Friday, June 13 2018.

In addition to the first prize of £500, Bassetlaw District Council will arrange for the story to be published electronically and the winner will receive an invitation for four people to the North Notts Literary Lunch.

There will be a second and third prize of £100 and £50 respectively and again, the runners up will be invited to the Literary Lunch (venue and date to be confirmed).

Visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/northnottsshortstory for further details and full terms and conditions.