First Virtual

Oxford University is sponsoring its first ever creative writing competition. The contest, which is free and open to anyone, is being run by the University’s Department for Continuing Education. Entry deadline: 1 March 2010.

Entrants must submit a single, self-contained short story of 1000 words on the subject of ‘Creative Writing Courses’. The winner will receive a free place on a creative writing weekly class offered by the Department – in fiction, non-fiction, script-writing or poetry.

If you love writing – whatever your style, interests, tastes or obsessions – this is your chance to take your talent to the next level.

Rules for entry:

1. The competition is free and open to anyone.
2. Entries should be on the subject of ‘Creative Writing Classes.’
3. Length: 1000 words.
4. Deadline for entries: midday, March 1st 2010.
5. Entries must be typewritten on A4 paper, with double line spacing and a margin and fixed with a paper clip, not a staple. The pages must be numbered.
6. All entries must be anonymous and accompanied by a sealed envelope containing the entrant’s name and address. Do not put your name on your entry.
7. The decision of the judges is final and correspondence will not be entered into.
8. Please keep copies of your entries as they cannot be returned.
9. Entries to be sent to:

Creative Writing Competition
Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
Ewert House,
Ewert Place,
Banbury Road,
Summertown,
Oxfordshire,
OX2 7DD

Prizes

* First prize: one free place on a twenty-week creative writing course (worth £270), or; one free place on a twenty-week screenwriting course (worth £335) Please note: the winner must be able to travel to Oxford for a weekly class in order to take up the prize; there will be no substitution.
* Runners-up:  Two runners up will be awarded £50 course gift vouchers from the Department for Continuing Education.

Judges
Dr John Ballam is Director of the Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing at Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education, and the author of The Road to Harmony: An Appalachian Childhood, which is a highly acclaimed memoir, and a novel entitled The Toymaker.

Sara Banerji is a creative writing tutor at Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education and author of several novels, including Blood Precious, The Waiting Time and Shining Hero.