Verulam Writers host annual writing competitions for members. These contests are guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing, and there’s nothing like a bit of friendly competition to sharpen your writing skills.
1. The David Gibson Cup Competition - September
The previous year's winner sets the theme of this short story competition, and popular vote decides the winner.
Prize: the winner receives the David Gibson Cup, a cash prize, and the honour of setting the theme of the next year’s competition.
2. The Lisbeth Phillips Plate Competition - October/November
The theme of this creative non-fiction competition is set by the previous year’s winner, and they judge the entries.
Prize: the winner receives the Lisbeth Phillips silver plate and there are cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The winner has the honour of judging and setting the theme of the next year’s competition.
3. Flash Fiction Competition - December
The theme of this 250-word flash fiction competition is set by the Verulam Writers committee and popular vote decides the winner.
Prize: cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
4. The President’s Competition - January
The previous year's winner sets the theme of this short story competition and they judge the entries along with the Verulam Writers President.
Prize: a cash prize for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and the winner has the honour of judging and setting the theme of the next year’s competition.
5. The Crystal Decanter Competition - April/May
The theme of this short story competition is set by the previous year’s winner, and they judge the entries.
Prize: the winner receives a crystal decanter to keep for a year and there are cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The winner has the honour of judging and setting the theme of the next year’s competition.
6. The Howard Linskey Crime Story Competition - June
This short crime story competition is judged by local crime author, Howard Linskey.
Prize: cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
The Gnome de Plume - Always and forever
To maintain author anonymity for judging, all competition entries are submitted with a suitably awful pseudonym. After the winners have been announced, and all the authors’ real names have been revealed, a popular vote decides the best pseudonym. The winner of the best pseudonym wins the coveted Gnome de Plume.