JEP / JFOW Poetry and Short Story Competition
POETS in Jersey can now get to work as the annual Jersey Festival of Words poetry competition opens Friday.
Held in conjunction with the Jersey Evening Post, writers from age nine to adults can enter poems in separate age categories.
The top three entries in each section will each receive cash prizes.
The winner of the poetry competition’s 17-and-above category will also receive the prestigious Alan Jones Prize, named after the Jersey poet and former head of English at Hautlieu who died in 2013.
As well as poetry, adults aged over 17 can also enter short stories and flash fiction, which must be submitted by the competition deadline at midnight on Sunday 6 July.
All winners’ work will be published in the JEP during the festival, which is scheduled to take place between 19-28 September across several venues in St Helier.
In its centenary year, the literary event recently expanded its original competition offering, with young writers tasked to pen the first chapter of a thriller story in the first Opening Chapter – Thriller contest.
Announcing the launch of the traditional competition, one of the festival organisers, Paul Bisson said it remains “an integral part of the festival”.
“Once again we’re looking forward to discovering fresh voices and celebrating the incredible talent within our island community,” he said.
“Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, we can’t wait to read your stories and poems.’
Will Lamond, investment director at Oakglen Wealth, the long-running headline sponsor for the festival, added: “It truly is a privilege to be part of this celebration of storytelling and poetic artistry, and we can’t wait to discover the voices that shine through in the adult short stories and poetry submissions.”
Poetry
30 line word limit
Ages 9-13 (£25, £50 and £75)
Ages 14-16 (£25, £50 and £75)
Ages 17 and above (£50, £75 and £100)
Short story
1500 word limit
Ages 17 and above (£50, £75 and £100)
Flash fiction
100 word limit
Ages 17 and above (£50, £75 and £100)
All entries must be submitted as an attachment to an email to [email protected] by midnight on 6 July.
No more than two entries per person in any one category.
Judges are looking for strong original work, with any use of language generative AI strongly discouraged.
