The Neil Gunn Writing Competition 2018/19

Following its launch by Scottish Makar Jackie Kay on 14th September 2018, the 2018/19 competition is now open for entries. The lead judge for the 2018/19 competition is the distinguished columnist and broadcaster Ruth Wishart.

The competitions for short story and poetry are open to writers worldwide writing in either English or Scots. All sections of the competition ask writers to base their writing on a theme, which is usually a quote from a work by Neil Gunn.

Terms and Conditions

The competition will be judged in 2 separate sections:
Adult short story (1st prize £500, 2nd prize £300, 3rd prize £200)
Adult poetry (1st prize £500, 2nd prize £300, 3rd prize £200)
The adult competition is open to all writers
You may submit only one entry per
Entry fee for the adult sections is £8 per entry.
The writing must be previously unpublished, and can be in any variety of English or Scots or a combination of
The writing must be one of the themes specified on the entry
The length of entries is limited as follows:
Poetry, up to 40 lines
Short story, up to 2500 words
Copyright will remain with the The organisers reserve the right to publish a collection of winning and commended entries. Winners will be required to supply an electronic copy (in pdf format) of their entries for publication on the High Life Highland websitewww.highlifehighland.com.
Entrants who use real people under their real names as characters in their story or poem are advised that they should ensure they have permission to do so, as winning entries will appear on the High Life Highland

About submission of entries
Early submission is The last date for acceptance of entries is Friday 08 March 2019.
Entries by post: Three copies of each entry must be submitted, typed on A4 Entrants should NOT put their names on the manuscript but should send one completed entry form plus the 3 copies. Please send entries in an envelope clearly marked “Neil Gunn Writing Competition” to: The Library Support Unit, High Life Highland, 31a Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1UA. If an email address is supplied, receipt will be acknowledged by email. (For a posted acknowledgement of receipt of the envelope, enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope marked “Receipt”.)
Entries by email: Entries may be sent in pdf format, with entry forms in Word or pdf format to charlotteemacarthur@gmail.com . Receipt will be acknowledged by
Entry fees can be paid in one of the following ways:
by cheque or postal order made out to The Neil Gunn Trust
by direct bank transfer to Clydesdale Bank plc, Park House, Dingwall, Scotland, IV15 9HA Within UK: to account name:The Neil Gunn Trust, sort code:82-62-07, account number:40441247

Further details available  here.