Get it Writ

Get it Writ is an exciting new writing competition linked to the 2013 Essex Book Festival, aimed at encouraging anyone aged 16 or over who lives, works or studies in Essex, to get writing.

Would-be writers are often advised "Don't get it right, get it writ". In other words, don't let a fear of failure or wanting to achieve perfection get in the way of you telling the story you want to write.  After all, lots of us have good ideas - but writers actually write them down.

Whether you are an aspiring writer, a new writer or have been writing for a while and would like to explore the short story form, this competition is for you.  Entry is free.  The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2012. 

An independent panel of judges will read all stories submitted and will shortlist six writers whose stories will receive a public reading on 12 March at the Mercury Theatre Studio as part of the 2013 Essex Book Festival.  The overall winner will be selected by competition judge Andrew Cowan, Director of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, the author of 'The Art of Writing Fiction' and a novelist whose latest book 'Worthless Men' will be published by Septre in February 2013.  The overall winner's story will be read towards the end of the Essex Book Festival in March 2013.

The six shortlisted writers will also benefit from a day of mentoring and an individual script surgery with overall competition judge Andrew Cowan, plus a small financial commission to help them develop their story.  Readings of the shortlisted stories will also be filmed and uploaded on the Essex Book Festival web site at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

The theme of the competition is 'the Legacy of summer 2012' and you are encouraged to interpret this as freely and imaginatively as you wish using no more than 500 words.

So don't worry about getting it right, just Get it Writ.

WRITING ROADSHOWS
Get it Writ will be launched during a series of writing road shows taking place throughout Essex during autumn 2012:

Thurs 29 November, Chelmsford Library at 7pm, featuring author Meg Rosoff.

Tues 9 Oct at  Gatehouse Arts, Harlow, featured author Linda Newbery.
Fri 28 Sept, Speed Dating for Writers at Rayleigh Library.
Thur 20 Sept at Slackspace, Colchester. Launch event featuring author Dave Pescod.

Events are free but you must book a place by contacting Andrew Ward andrew.ward@essex.gov.uk or 01245 244615

For updates and further information, please visit
www.essexbookfestival.org.uk/extras

COMPETITION RULES
The competition is open to anyone aged 16 and over who lives, works or studies in the county of Essex.

Writers may submit one story only of up to 500 words on the theme of 'legacy' to be received no later than 31 December 2012.  Entries may be sent as hard copies to Andrew Ward, Arts Development Assistant, Essex Record Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford CM2 6YT or emailed to Andrew.Ward@essex.gov.uk 

Please ensure your name and the title of your story appears on each page of your script.

Entries should be typed or word processed in at least 12 point font, double spaced, and written in English.

In a covering letter or email, please include your name, address, email address and a day time telephone number.

If you would like your script to be returned, please provide an appropriate stamped, self addressed envelope.  Otherwise, your script will be shredded and the paper recycled.

The story you submit should be your own original work and not previously have been published or submitted elsewhere.

No cash alternative for the mentoring and script assessment will be offered.

The judges' decision will be final and no correspondence may be entered into.  We are only able to provide feedback to writers whose work has been shortlisted.