Entries are now open for the Oakglen Wealth sponsored writing competition in Jersey
Pick up your writing tools and get scribbling, as entries are now open for the Jersey Festival of Words 2024 – Writing Competition. The annual competition encourages young islanders to get creative and share their writing skills.
The competition is held annually as part of the local Jersey Festival of Words, now in its ninth year, and is sponsored by Oakglen Wealth and the JEP. Categories span poetry, flash fiction and short stories.
There are cash prizes for the top three stories or poems in each age category, and budding writers have until 6th July to submit their entries.
Former children’s laureate Michael Rosen – author of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – and Samantha McAlister, the producer famed for securing BBC Newsnight’s Prince Andrew interview, have already been announced as speakers at the festival, along with a number of other scheduled appearances.
Announcing the launch of this year’s competition, Paul Bisson, the festival’s vice-chair, said: “This writing competition has been an integral part of the Jersey Festival of Words for many years and has served to bring some truly brilliant writers of all ages and backgrounds to public attention.
“Our hope is that it encourages those in the community with a love of words, poetry or storytelling to get involved and plug directly into the heart of the festival, honing their talents while engaging and entertaining the rest of us in the process.”
Connect with Paul Bisson on LinkedIn >
Oakglen Wealth’s Investment Director William Lamond commented: “We are pleased to announce our continued sponsorship of the (JFOW) competition, which has reached its tenth year of showcasing the creative writing abilities of our talented young islanders. We have seen first-hand the literary abilities of past contributors and feel deeply honoured to continue our support of such aspiring writers. We encourage entrants to let their imaginations run wild and wish you all the best of luck.”
Connect with William Lamond on LinkedIn >
Judges are looking for strong original work. Language generative AI is strongly discouraged.
The winner of the poetry competition’s 17 and above category will also receive the prestigious Alan Jones Prize, named after the renowned Jersey poet, writing mentor and former Hautlieu Head of English.
Winners will further be featured in the JEP during the festival which will take place from 20 to 29 September, across various venues in St. Helier. Plus, they will be invited to receive their awards at the Competition Awards Ceremony.
Judges for the competition are yet to be confirmed.
COMPETITION DETAILS:
SHORT STORY
1,500 word limit
Ages 9-13 receive prizes of £25, £50 and £75
Ages 14-16 receive prizes of £25, £50 and £75
Ages 17 and above receive prizes of £50, £75 and £100
FLASH FICTION
125 word limit
Open to all ages
Prize £75
POETRY
30 line limit
Ages 9-13 receive prizes of £25, £50 and £75
Ages 14-16 receive prizes of £25, £50 and £75
Ages 17 and above receive prizes of £50, £75 and £100. The winner of this category will also receive the Alan Jones Prize.
Entrants are urged not to turn to ChatGPT or other AI to produce their stories.
Entries must be submitted as an attachment to an email to writingcomp@jerseyeveningpost.com by midnight on 6 July 2024.
Competition entrants must be born or resident in Jersey and their work must not have been previously published in any public form, print or digital, or have won a prize in any other competition.
No more than two entries per person in any one category.
You can find out more about the Festival here.