Literature │ Keep kicking at that wall

Being a published writer doesn’t mean that you have made it these days. If your work does not reach the right numbers in readership or money, you can be easily dropped by your agent. This is something that I learned this week, it’s a terrifying prospect. Many writers who have had successful books out are also finding their work being rejected by publishers, pseudonyms have been suggested. These are truly desperate times. Here are a few things you could be entering and giving a go, that’s all you can do, write and give it a go. Do write in with your success stories and experiences, we would love to hear from you.

Wells Festival of Literature-14-21 October 2011; Poetry & Short story competitions over £1,500 of prizes.  www.wellslitfest.org.uk – 01749 678 411

Grey Hen Poetry Competition- poems up to 40 lines on any theme written by women over 60. prizes £100, £74, £25. Entry fee £3 per poem, £10 for 4. www.greyhenpress.com closing date: 30th April

BBC National Short Story Award- for stories up to 8,000 wds. Prize: £15,000, £3,000, £500. Send SAE to BBC National Short Story Award, c/o Booktrust, Book Hous, 45 East Hill, London SW18 2QZ. www.theshortstory.org.uk

Momaya Short Story Competition- stories up to 3,000 wdS. Prizes: £110, £55, £30, 7 honorable mentions; publication in the Momaya Annual Review. Entry fee: £8. www.momayapress.com

Pint-sized Plays Competition for 5-10 min plays with 2-3 characters & capable of being staged in a pub. Prizes will be awarded for best Script & Runner Up. Entry fee: £5.50 www.pintsizeplays.org.uk closing date: 31 May

Leaf Books Diary Competition for a single diary entry or a small series of entries up to 500 wds. Prizes: £100. day ticket to the Appledore Book Festival. Two books on writing and publication in Leaf Writers’Magazine.

Frome Festival Dhort Story Competition- foe stories of 1,000- 2,200 wds. Over £500 in prizes; winners will be read by a top literary agent. Entry fee; £5 per story. Frome Library, Justice Lane, Frome BA11 1BE www.fromfestival.co.uk

South Bank Poetry Inaugural Competition- for poems up to 50 lines. Submissions must have a London context. Prizes: Five cash & other prizes, including a one year’s  Charter Membership to the Poetry Book Society. Entry fee: £3.50 for 1: £6 for 2 :£8 for 3: £10 for 5. Peter Ebsworth. 74 Sylvan Road, London SE19 2RZ. Closing date: extended to 9 May