THANK YOU!
for your Christmas Competition submission. We look forward to reading it! As usual, you'll know if your submission has cleared our first hurdle if you see it posted. We generally try to post on Fridays, but during competitions, to spread the workload for our six judges, we'll post as soon as we can manage, irrespective of the day of the week.
We don't – can't – acknowledge your work individually. You'll only know your story has been accepted if and when it's published. Equally, we can't engage with writers individually, nor can we accept photos or music files. On this occasion, it's purely a writing competition.
I'm afraid we have to reject submissions:
Generally, We try to accept most things, but during competitions it's only fair to apply the rules properly.
We don't – can't – acknowledge your work individually. You'll only know your story has been accepted if and when it's published. Equally, we can't engage with writers individually, nor can we accept photos or music files. On this occasion, it's purely a writing competition.
I'm afraid we have to reject submissions:
- that are too long (and sometimes too short);
- that are offensive or inappropriate;
- that are not sufficiently well-written, with poor grammar or spelling. I'm afraid we don't have resources to edit poorly-prepared work;
- that aren't actually fiction, but are instead essays, true events, religious proselytising or polemic;
- where the submissions form has been incorrectly completed. It drives us mad and is currently the most common reason for rejection;
- if we cannot confirm that the details supplied on the submission form are accurate. Please switch off any virtual private networks temporarily, and be sure you're not using a proxy server such as workplace, university, college or school network. If you've made that mistake inadvertently during the competition, your story will be disqualified.
Generally, We try to accept most things, but during competitions it's only fair to apply the rules properly.
You may submit TWO entries between now and 23.59 UK time on
Friday 13th December.
Remember – if whichever 'theme word' – "peace" or "goodwill" – you included in your first story, you must include the other one in your second entry.
Friday 13th December.
Remember – if whichever 'theme word' – "peace" or "goodwill" – you included in your first story, you must include the other one in your second entry.
Once the competition has closed to entries, our six judges will each nominate one story they like: these six stories will form our Short List for the Christmas 2024 Prize. At that point, our hundreds of registered voters will be invited to vote for their favourite; the story with the most votes will be the winner.
However we do hope you enjoyed writing for us and will write again in the future. Whatever you've sent us, and wherever you've sent it from, keep well and have a lovely Christmas.
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Best wishes
Gordon Lawrie, Editor
Best wishes
Gordon Lawrie, Editor
Please note: I'm away for a few days this weekend, so there might be a slight delay
in posting stories. Normal service will resume asap.
in posting stories. Normal service will resume asap.
