HG Wells International Fiction Short Story Competition and prizes up to £1500

The annual HG Wells Fiction Short Story Competition is inviting all interested writers to take part in its 2020 edition. It is divided into two competitions: The Margaret and Reg Turnill Competition for young writers of 21 years and under, and a competition for the over 21s which offers The Grand Prize of £500.

Competition rules:

1. Competition is open to writer from around the world.
2. This year’s theme is “Vision”.
3. Entries must be in English.
4. The length is 1,500 to 5,000 words.
5. All submissions should be the writer’s original work.
6. Copyright remains with the author.
7. The story may not be published elsewhere.
8. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.
9. Entry implies permission for writer's story to be published in the annual HG Wells Short Story Competition Anthology, and used for Competition publicity purposes.

Story template:

Writer can use HG Wells Short Story Competition Word Document Template that is designed to ensure they follow the below rules, but whether they use it or not organizers ask that sorry should be:

1. Each page should be numbered;
2. Absolutely no identification of author on the page or in the document properties (stories not meeting this rule will be disqualified);
3. All text 12 point, Verdana (for judging – it’s easier to read);
4. 1.5 lines spacing;
5. Single space left after full stops, colons, etc.;
6. Titles: center, bold;
7. First paragraph and after each break – no indentation;
8. Second and subsequent paragraphs – indented.
9. Double quotation marks should be used for speech and single quotation marks for other appropriate purposes.

Judging criteria:

The judges will include in their criteria the following:

1. Accurate use of spelling, grammar and punctuation;
2. Use of imagination;
3. Originality of thought and interpretation of theme;
4. Entertaining content that is thought provoking, intriguing, moving and, above all, enjoyable.

Entry fees:

There are no entry fees for those aged 21 years and under on 6th July 2020, with evidence of their age.

Over 21s must pay an entry fee of £10 or £5 for those with student id, and payments will be by PayPal or debit / credit card at the time of submission.

Prizes:

The winner of The Margaret and Reg Turnill Competition receives £1,000,

The winner of competition for the over 21s receives The Grand Prize of £500

About HG Wells short story competition:

Founded by the world-renowned BBC Aeronautics Correspondent Reg Turnill and his wife, Margaret, to celebrate the life and works of HG Wells and encourage creative writing, especially among the young.

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