The Society of Women Writers and Journalists' International Online Life Writing Competition

Deadline: 30 September 2011

‘Life Writing’ is a fluid term used to describe the recording of experiences and memories, whether one’s own or another’s. It covers biography, memoir, diaries, letters and personal essays etc., and, more recently, digital forms such as blogs and email. It can also be linked with genealogical study - when recording your own life, it is common to become curious about the lives of others, and if they have not recorded their own life, to start doing it for them.

With prizes totalling £9,000, sponsored by The Morris Duo Foundation for SELVA (Standard English, Literacy and Visual Aesthetics)

Word Count - 3000 words maximum

Entry by email only

RULES OF ENTRY - PLEASE READ

• The Competition is open to any writer world-wide of 20 years old and over.
• There are two categories: 20 - 40 years old, and Over 40s
• Prizes in EACH category: 1st £3000. 2nd £1000. 3rd £500.
• The entry fee is £7 (seven pounds sterling) payable via Paypal on our submissions page
• Judges: Sophie King for Category 1 - 20/40 year olds and Katie Fforde for Category 2 - over 40s.

SOPHIE KING is the author of the The School Run, Mums@Home, Second Time Lucky, The Supper Club and The Wedding Party. Her first audiobook, a short story anthology, Just One More Coffee? has recently been released. Sophie's books are aimed at teenagers, mums, grans, or anyone else who can identify with a chaotic family life. Sophie has three children, a dog, a cat and a sleepy terrapin – all of whom make her laugh or cry, depending upon how she feels.

KATIE FfORDE is founder of the Katie Fforde Bursary for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. She was for many years a committee member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and was elected Chair in 2009. In June 2010 she was announced as a patron of the UK's first National Short Story Week and her novel Going Dutch was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller in June 2007.

How to Enter

Please ensure you have read the COMPETITION RULES before submitting your entry.

ENTRY FEE

An entry fee of £7 (seven pounds sterling) is payable with submissions. Please note, you do not need a Paypal account to pay via Paypal, but you will need a debit or credit card.

Please submit your payment, then EMAIL your entry to competitions@swwj.co.uk. Submission emails MUST include in the subject line: ‘SWWJ Life Writing Competition 20/40’ or ‘SWWJ Life Writing Competition Over 40’ depending upon which competition you are entering. All entries will be acknowledged.

CLOSING DATE

The closing date/time for the competition is 23.59pm on 30 September 2011. We cannot accept entries after this time.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: enquiries@swwj.co.uk

For submissions: competitions@swwj.co.uk

Website: http://www.swwj.co.uk/

This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.