Are you a budding writer or poet? You could win €500 in our Listowel Writers' Week writing competition
Entertainment

Are you a budding writer or poet? You could win €500 in our Listowel Writers' Week writing competition

We are looking for an original short story, poem or piece of writing with an Irish theme of up to 1,000 words.

The winner will get the chance to take part in the prestigious Listowel Writers’ Week in Co. Kerry, which takes place May 29 – June 2, plus €500 in prize money.

The winning piece of work will also be published in The Irish Post and the official Listowel Writers’ Week brochure.

Our 2018 competition winner was Elleesa Rushby, a 54-year-old mother-of-two and a BA student of Creative Writing at the University of Bedfordshire.

Her short story New Pet, an intriguing tale with an unexpected twist, stood out from hundreds of entries and was chosen by the judges for its brilliant use of language.

“I felt it was my time,” Ms Rushby said of her desire to pursue a career in writing.

“I’ve entered The Irish Post’s writing competition for three years on the trot and for me it was just an amazing feeling of success to win,” she added.

A busy workshop at the Listowel Writers' Week festival 2018

The 2019 Listowel Writers' Week festival line-up includes Liz Nugent, Richard Skinner, Carol Drinkwater, Kit De Waal, June Caldwell, Neil Hegarty, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Tishani Doshi, Lemn Sissay, Elizabeth Day and Sarah Webb.

How to enter

Entries should be emailed to [email protected] with ‘Listowel Writers’ Week’ in the subject line.

Typed entries can also be sent to Listowel Writers’ Week Competition, The Irish Post, 88 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BY

Remember to include the story/poem title, your name, address, email and telephone number.

Closing date for entries is midnight on Friday, March 1, 2019.

Terms and condition apply.

This competition is open to residents in Britain only.

Terms and Conditions:

  • Entries, which must be no more than 1,000 words and have an Irish theme, cannot have been previously published
  • All entries must be typed
  • Please retain a copy, as entries will not be returned
  • Please submit your name and contact details on a separate sheet. The entrant’s identity must not appear on the competition entry
  • Entries may be in Irish or in English / Is féidir iontrálacha a bheith i mBéarla nó i nGaeilge
  • An unlimited number of entries per person may be submitted for The Irish Post Creative Writing Competition
  • The judges verdict is final and no correspondence shall be entered into regarding individual competition entries
  • Winners only will be notified
  • The winner’s prize includes accommodation in Listowel during the festival (terms and conditions apply). No cash alternative will be offered in lieu of this and any other expenses must be covered by the winner themselves
  • The Irish Post and Listowel Writers’ Week are not responsible for any costs incurred
  • Awards may not be presented where an appropriate standard is not achieved
  • Listowel Writers’ Week reserves the right to withhold or to publish winning entries in the publication Winners’ Anthology 2019

About Listowel Writer’s Week:

Listowel Writers’ Week is an internationally acclaimed literary festival devoted to bringing together writers and audiences at unique and innovative events in the historic and intimate surroundings of Listowel, Co. Kerry.