- Music
- 10 Feb 16
Some serious literary heavyweights will be determining the outcome of the 1916-inspired student writing competition
The full line-up of judges has been announced for Write Here, Write Now: A Story Of Ireland, the student writing competition that's being run as part of the 1916 Centenary programme.
Joining Hot Press Editor and Assistant Editor Niall Stokes and Stuart Clark will be Joe O'Connor, author of the international best-seller Star Of The Sea; critically-acclaimed novelist Christine Dwyer Hickey; one of Northern Ireland's foremost writers, Glenn Patterson and Lia Mills whose Fallen tome is the Dublin: Two Cities, One Book choice for 2016.
As part of Ireland 2016, Hot Press and Dublin City Libraries, in association with Libraries NI, are giving second and third level students - and recent graduates - a once-in-a-century opportunity to get ahead in the writing game. The competition is aimed at uncovering the best young writing talent in the country.
Write Here, Write Now will give students from 5th Year upwards, a chance to get a head start in the writing game and get their work published in Hot Press Magazine. Winners will also be rewarded with cash prizes, as well as an internship with the magazine, and lots of other great prizes.
There are separate competitions for second level (5th and 6th year) students and third level students, with prizes for male and female regional winners, as well as the overall national winners.
There are no limits as to where, when, in what era – or indeed galaxy! – entries should be set. Nor indeed about what form written entries can take: prose, poetry, rap, graphic fiction, autobiography or an extract from a film script can all be submitted. The only limit is that entries must be not more than 500 words.
“We really want students all over Ireland to get involved and to see what they can conjure in less than 500 words,” Niall Stokes says. “The competition is a test of creativity, of vision and of style and we will be looking for entries that will entertain and enthrall the judges. But we want people to trust themselves and to get writing even if this is the first time they have attempted anything of this kind. The aim is to encourage new and original voices and approaches, and to identify young writers with the potential to develop in the future.”
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"Ireland has produced some of the world's most brilliant writers - and doubtless there is a whole new generation waiting to be discovered in our schools and colleges," Jane Alger of Dublin: Two Cities, One Book says. "We're very proud to join with Hot Press in the search for young writing talent - and to be part of a competition which encourages students to explore their creativity in such an inspiring way."
John Concannon, Director of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme adds: "This is a very special year for Ireland where we come together to celebrate and mark a significant moment in our history. Artists and writers were at the centre of the events of 1916 and we are delighted to be part of this initiative which will showcase the creative talent of the Generation of 2016."
Ireland 2016 is a year-long programme of activity to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future. For more information, visit [link]www.ireland.ie[/link]. #ireland2016
The closing date for completed entries is April 8, 2016 so there’s no time to dawdle! The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in The Mansion House, Dublin on May 11, 2016.
Get the full lowdown at hotpress.com/writeherewritenow