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Creative writers listen up! Mahurangi Matters is proud to announce the launch of its short story competition for 2018 and is seeking entries from both seasoned and budding wordsmiths.
All genres of fiction are encouraged – suspense, crime, romance, thriller, science fiction, fantasy or slice-of-life.
There are two sections in the competition, a general section and a teen section for entrants aged from 13 to 19.
The theme in both sections is up to the writer, but must include some reference to the Mahurangi area.
The maximum length of stories in each section is 1400 words.
The winner of the general section will take home $400, with the teen winner picking up $200. The runner-up in each section will receive a book voucher.
Entries open on July 4 and now close on November 30. Winning and highly commended entries will be published in Mahurangi Matters.
Judges for the general section are Mahurangi Matters’ regular book reviewers Mary-Liz Corbett and Karen Sollitt, and for the teen section, Matakana writer Jenni Francis.
Mary-Liz is the owner of Matakana Village Books and has spent her working life in the book industry, either in libraries or independent bookshops. Karen was the former owner of Unicorn Bookshop in Warkworth and has also worked as a librarian for nearly 30 years. Jenni has written five teen novels, with the sixth due to be published this year. She has also published a book of short stories.
Judges’ tips for the competition:
Character and dialogue. A strong protagonist and realistic dialogue are important.
A conflict that leads to a gripping plot. Tensions need to grab the reader and make them want to keep reading.
Imagery and mood. Descriptions of scene and action need to create an emotional impact.
Full competition rules and a competition entry form or from the Mahurangi Matters office, 17 Neville Street, Warkworth.
