Festival seeks entries for writing competition

Derby Book Festival is challenging children and adults to write a story or poem of up to 50 words for its annual Flash Fiction writing competition.

This year’s competition is on the subject of ‘Voices’, with the winning entries printed on a set of bookmarks that will be distributed across Derby and Derbyshire to promote Derby Book Festival, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.

The theme can be interpreted as widely as the author wishes, so long as the story or poem is no longer than 50 words.

There are three age categories: 11 years and under, 12 to 17 years and 18 years and over.

Entries for all categories will be judged by a panel of local writers and creative writing specialists and there will be one winner in each category with a prize of a £50 book token.

Book festival patron Liz Fothergill said: “Our annual Flash Fiction competition is always an extremely popular part of the festival, and it encourages people of all ages to be creative and use their imaginations to write a story or poem, often inspiring them to take their first steps towards a writing career.”

To enter, visit the Derby Book Festival website at https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/flash-fiction.

Closing date for entries is 16 February.