Never too old to write a good tale

A new contest for people aged over-55 in Nottinghamshire has been launched by New Writers UK — the Silver Scribes Creative Writing Competition.

A paperback anthology of the top 20 entries will be published and presented to the finalists at the Gedling Borough Council Book Festival on July 14.

The story considered by the judges to be the best entry will win £50.

Author Julie Malone, of New Writers UK, said: “Over the years, many people in the over-55 age group have approached us at events to tell us about short stories they have written or have thought about writing.

“Many of them have fascinating true stories or imaginative fictional tales to tell.

“They tell us that they either can’t afford to get published or publishers don’t take them seriously because of their age.”

Julie said New Writers UK wanted to help get some of these into book form so decided to organise a competition.

Entrants must be 55 or older on the closing date; must live within Nottinghamshire; be limited to a maximum of two stories which should be original, previously unpublished fiction and the work of the applicant.

Entries must be no more than 5,000 words and no fewer than 2,000; applicants must agree to allow their stories to be copy-edited if chosen for the anthology; if handwritten entries must be legible; entries should not be abusive; and current members of New Writers UK are ineligible to apply. The closing date is March 30.

Entries can be typed and sent by post to New Writers UK, P O Box 9310, Nottingham, NG5 0DZ, or emailed in word document format to julie@newwritersuk.co.uk

Application forms can be downloaded from www.newwritersuk.co.uk or can be obtained by writing or emailing the group.