The Write Here, Write Now competition, brought to you by Hot Press and Dublin City Council’s: Two Cities, One Book Festival, is open to entries for this year's contest.
Aimed at uncovering the best young writing talent in the country, winners will see their work published by Hot Press and win an internship at the magazine, along with more great prizes.
The panel of experts running the rule over the submissions will include Hot Press Editor Niall Stokes, Deputy Editor Stuart Clark, and author Lia Mills.
Mill's Fallen was named as the choice for Dublin: Two Cities, One Book for 2016. An beautiful, emotional novel, it tells the story of ordinary characters living through the extraordinary events of 1916.
In keeping with that theme, entrants to this year's Write Here, Write Now competition are invited to write A Story Of Ireland. There are no limits as to where, when, in what era – or indeed galaxy! – entries should be set, and any form - prose, poetry, rap, graphic fiction, autobiography or an extract from a film script - can be submitted.
Entrants are simply invited to think about their own sense of what it is to be from Ireland, or to live here. They will be encouraged to consider their own sense of identity in the light of the events of 1916 as described in Fallen - and the impact they had on the lives of ordinary people of every social, political and religious background here at the time.
The competition is split in two categories; the first for Second Level students in 5th and 6th year, and the second for all students either in Third Level, or less than 12 months after graduation.
Hot Press Editor, Niall Stokes said, “Entrants should set their vision out in whatever way they think works best. This competition is all about self-expression and creativity. We want students all over Ireland, in not more than 500 words, to set the scene; describe the surroundings; create a sense of the environment and its people; or otherwise to evoke the special qualities or atmosphere of their own fictional, imaginary or real place."
“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 said. "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.” 
The closing date for completed entries is February 19, 2016 so there’s no time to dawdle! The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in The Mansion House, Dublin.
To enter, or for further information, go to [link]www.hotpress.com/writeherewritenow[/link] or call Louise on (01) 2411500.