FWS Easter Competition 2015 #seanocarolan #writing #Contest #Competition

Federation of Writers Scotland Easter Competition 2015

Prizes in each category: 1st prize £50, 2nd prize £25, 3rd prize £10



Our poetry judge, Brian Whittingham, has very kindly sent us a note of what he will be looking for in the poetry category entries – comments which anyone submitting poems whether to competitions or magazines should take to heart:

Primarily, the main elements that engage me as a reader and writer of poetry are, imagery, metaphor, the human condition and where the ordinary is written about from an extraordinary viewpoint. Whether the poem is written in a standard form or free-verse I'd look for it to be crafted to suit the subject that is being written about and the structure of the form that has been chosen as the vehicle to say what's being said. Paying close attention to engage the intellect, the imagination and to emote with the reader is all any of us can ask for from a poem. Whether it's written in Scots, English or dialect I would look for consistency and authenticity of voice and close consideration of line breaks. Not looking for chopped up prose - Not looking for an opening that sets the scene - Not looking for an ending that tells us what the poem's about (just in case we didn't get it). Just looking for sparks that light my fire.



Brian Whittingham



Rules and how to enter (download a copy here)


1. There will be three categories, poetry, short stories and flash fiction. Entrants may submit an unlimited number of entries for each or for all three categories provided they are accompanied by the correct entry fee.

2. No entrant may receive more than one prize in each category.

3. Entry is open: you do not have to be a member of the Federation of Writers (Scotland)

4. In the poetry category you may submit an unlimited number of entries. No poem should exceed forty lines in length excluding the title. Please indicate the number of lines at the end of the poem.

5. In the prose category you may submit an unlimited number of stories of between 1,500-2,000 words in length. Please indicate the word count at the end of the story.

6. In the flash fiction category you may submit an unlimited number of pieces not exceeding 500 words in length. Please indicate the word count at the end of the piece.

7. Work submitted must be in English or Scots and must be your own work (no translations).

8. No work submitted should have been previously published/broadcast/e-published or posted on-line in any form.

9. Entries must be typewritten, double-spaced (single-spacing is acceptable for poems) on one side only of A4 paper using at least a 12pt font and, if sent by email, sent as a Word, rtf or pdf document. Please number each page. No name or other mark which could identify the author should appear on any page of the entry which should be accompanied by a separate cover sheet setting out your name and address, the category or categories entered, the number and title(s) of entries and the total fee due.

10. If you are sending your entry by post please use a paperclip to secure pages NOT a staple and send two copies of each entry.

11. Entries will not be returned so please keep a copy of your entry.

12. The judges’ decision is final. The judges cannot enter into any correspondence regarding entries. The organisers reserve the right to withhold prizes in any category if the number of entries received is insufficient or if entries received are judged not to meet the required standard.

13. Closing date for the competition is midnight on 1 April 2015.

14. Entry fee is £3 per poem, £3 per flash fiction piece, £5 per short story.

15. Failure to comply with the above rules or to pay the appropriate entry fee will result in automatic disqualification.

16. Successful entrants will be notified by May 31 2015.



How to enter

By email: Email your entry with a separate cover sheet (see 8 above) as a Word, pdf or rtf document to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '>acclarke6@btopenworld.com to arrive by midnight on 1 April 2015. Email submission of entries is preferred. Send the appropriate fee (see 14 above) as a cheque or postal order (pounds sterling only) made out to The Federation of Writers (Scotland) by post to:

Competition Secretary0/1 25 Craigmillar RdGlasgowG42 9JZ

Email entries will be acknowledged on receipt but will not be entered in the competition until the entry fee has been received. Email entrants will be notified of receipt of the entry fee by email.

By post: Send your entry (two copies) with a separate cover sheet (see 9 above) and the appropriate fee (see 14 above) by post to:

Competition Secretary0/1 25 Craigmillar RdGlasgowG42 9JZ

Cheques or postal orders (pounds sterling only) should be made out to The Federation of Writers (Scotland)

Postal entrants wishing confirmation that their entries have been received should send a stamped addressed postcard listing the titles of all entries in that package, which the competition secretary will tick to indicate receipt and then return. If more than one package is posted, postcards should be enclosed, listing the contents of each package. Please ensure sufficient postage is used.



PLEASE NOTE: Proof of posting does not mean proof of delivery.