The Ullapool Bookshop is delighted to announce the launch of a new
Creative Writing competition for Adults and Children. The ?Ullapool
Words 500? (UW500)?s was inspired by the recent local Creative Writing
Course, led by Poet Stephen Keeler, to write or create a story of up to
500 words. The UW500 has its own identity.
It is hoped that the competition will generate some wonderful creative
writing during these difficult times and also that perhaps whilst people
have a little more time on their hands, this may be a fun way of passing
some time and also the added bonus of winning a Competition in its first
year.
Competition Details
Deadline
LAUNCH DATE: 1ST JUNE 2020
ENTRIES OPEN: 14TH JUNE 2020
ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 12NOON ON 14TH JULY 2020
PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE CONTACTED BY: 8PM ON 30TH JULY 2020 AT THE LATEST
Entries will only be accepted from the Ullapool and surrounding
catchment area (extending from Ullapool, Lochinver, Achiltibuie and
Dundonnell only in its? first year).
The theme in this inaugural year will be ?HOLIDAYS.?
Categories
1) Adults: are invited to submit a short story of no more than 500
words.
2) Children from both Primary and High School ages: There are 2
sections for the Children?s Area: a) for those from 5-8 years old: a
short story of no more than 300 words b) for those from 9-18: A short
story of no more than 500 words.
Judging
The Adult entries will be judged anonymously by Stephen Keeler (Creative
writing teacher) for Adults and Ruth Thomson, English Department,
Ullapool High School for Children. Other helpers will read the entries
and make comments and overall general recommendations to the judges.
JUDGE: Stephen Keeler is an award-winning poet. He regularly reads from
his work at poetry events and book launches and is widely published in
journals, magazines and anthologies. His chapbook, ?While You Were Away?
is published by Maquette Press. After a forty-year career in
international language education, he moved to Ullapool ten years ago,
where he has now taught over 30 creative writing courses, residential
weekends and poetry workshops.
JUDGE: RUTH THOMPSON: Ruth Thompson has over 10 years of secondary
English teaching- and still one of the things that inspires her is
excellent writing from young people.
6 prizes of National Book Tokens (donated by Ullapool Bookshop) will be
awarded to the 6 top stories, 3 in each category. The 6 prize winners
will be Invited to read at an Ullapool Bookshop event during the Winter
season 2020. The Ullapool Bookshop also intends to publish a small book
later in the year containing all 6 prize winners stories, which will be
made available for sale in the bookshop and also via the Ullapool
Trading website. The Proceeds from the sale of this small book, will be
put towards encouraging further Creative writing projects and hopefully
towards future competitions.
Prizes
National Book Tokens will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes in
both the Adult and Childrens section. The prizes can either be redeemed
in person when bookshops re-open or can also be redeemed over the phone
when placing an order for books. Prizes will be awarded in 2
Categories:
ADULTS:
1st Prize: ?50 National book token / 2nd Prize: ?30 National book token
/ 3rd Prize: ?15 National book token
CHILDREN:
1ST Prize: ?50 book token / 2nd Prize: ?30 book token / 3rd Prize: ?15
book token
FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR PRESS CONTACT:
KATHARINE DOUGLAS, ULLAPOOL BOOKSHOP MANAGER (ADMIN MANAGER FOR UW500)
ULLAPOOL BOOKSHOP, QUAY STREET, ULLAPOOL, IV26 2UE
ullapoolbookshop@btconnect.com or sales@ullapooltrading.com
PHONE: 01854 612918 OR 07742 191 210 (KATHARINE DOUGLAS)
JUDGES:
ADULT: Stephen Keeler, Creative Writing teacher
CHILDREN: Ruth Thomson, English Department, Ullapool High School
OVERALL ADMINISTRATOR: KATHARINE DOUGLAS, Ullapool Bookshop Manager
ADMIN ASSISTANT: JILL BRUCE
LOGO DESIGNER: SHIRLEY ROSE, ULLAPOOL
We look forward to reading your stories.
SPONSORS OF PRIZES:
The National Book Token Prizes will be provided and donated by the
ULLAPOOL BOOKSHOP (OWNERS WILLIAM AND KATRINA THOMSON).
A HUGE THANK YOU ALSO TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR DONATIONS TOWARDS
THE PRODUCTION OF THE BOOKLET. ANY PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BOOKLET
WILL BE RE-INVESTED IN FUTURE CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITIONS:
ULLAPOOL HARBOUR TRUST
ANGUS BRUCE PHOTOGRAPHY
2 ANONYMOUS DONORS