WRITERS from Warrington who dream of following in the footsteps of JK Rowling or Cheshire-born Lewis Carroll have just three weeks left to pick up their pens and enter The High Sheriff’s Cheshire Prize for Literature.
With a theme of children’s literature, entries have been pouring in as budding authors with a connection to Cheshire bid to win the £2,000 first prize and see their work published in a Chester Academic Press anthology.
Now in its sixth year, the prestigious competition has so far attracted entries from all walks of life, including an octogenarian former prisoner of war and a university graduate who is now a teacher. Topics covered so far include adventures in space, flying lessons, becoming invisible, clowns, and a Ray Mears-inspired poem about building a canoe.
The winner will be announced at an awards evening on October 28 as part of the Chester Literature Festival, and all published writers will be invited to a book launch reception with civic dignitaries at the University of Chester.
Award-winning children’s author, Geraldine McCaughrean, who has over 140 books to her name and was commissioned to write the official sequel to JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, marking the centenary of the much-loved story’s original publication, will be guest of honour at the awards evening.
Competition organiser, Lynda Baguley, said: “The Cheshire Prize continues to grow with every passing year.
“Whether you are writing a story for the first time or have had work published before, the process of writing can be very rewarding and satisfying, and this competition gives every entrant the chance to showcase their work and possibly be published.”
Inaugurated in 2003 as The High Sheriff’s Cheshire Prize for Literature, this major regional competition is funded by Bank of America and administered by the University of Chester. Its aim is to encourage the literary talents of new and existing Cheshire writers.
The competition is free to enter, and is open to anyone born, living or working in Cheshire, including Warrington, Halton and Wirral. People who used to live in Cheshire are also eligible. Stories must be a maximum of 1,500 words, while poetry should be no more than 100 lines.
The closing date for entries is September 1. For full details, pick up a leaflet from your local library or log on to www.chester.ac.uk/literatureprize
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