Entries are invited for a Creative Writing competition for short works of poetry or prose broadly inspired by the Siege of Canterbury which happened in September 1011. The competition is open to all writers. International submissions are welcome.

The Siege of Canterbury was a major event during the Viking raids on England that occurred in the reign of Ethelred the Unready. The historical material is limited, allowing great opportunities for exercising the imagination. The major written source is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an English translation of which is available free on-line. Additional knowledge derives from an Icelandic saga and mediaeval biography. Local writers may be inspired by the medieval stained glass window in Canterbury Cathedral commemorating St. Alphege, which includes a depiction of the siege. There is also a statue of St. Alphege on the Chichele tomb

Deadline: 15 September 2011 (entries postmarked this date will be accepted).
The shortlist and winners will be announced on 16 October 2011 at a special event in Canterbury as part of the Canterbury Umbrella Festival. Short listed entries will also be published in a collection/pamphlet later in the year.

Maximum length: Poems - 50 lines. Short stories - 2,000 words

Judging: All entries will be judged anonymously. Each piece will be seen by the judges - there is no sifting beforehand. The poetry entries will be judged by Christopher Hobday and the prose entries by Luigi Marchini.

Prizes: Three in each category: 1st Prize - £30, 2nd Prize - £20, 3rd Prize - £15

Entry fees:  £2 per poem, £3 per prose piece

Entries should be sent to:

Save As Writers Group, 71 Rentain Road, Canterbury, Kent CT4 7JJ

Your name should not appear on your hard copies but please include a covering letter with your name, contact details, and titles of the entries along with a cheque for the entry fee payable to ‘Save As Writers’.

Further details here.

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