Jot Creative Writing Competition: A Page of a Work in Progress

Independent Arts are launching their first creative writing competition for Island writers!

You are invited to submit an example of ‘a page of a work in progress’. The competition is open to Isle of Wight residents. There are three age groups (5–11, 12–17 and 18+) and it is free to enter.

We will accept entries in a wide range of formats, including video clips of performative pieces, auditory recordings or soundscapes of spoken word (not to exceed 3 minutes) and, of course, the written word (not to exceed one side of A4).  

Independent Arts CEO, Lisa Gagliani MBE, said of the new competition:

“As a charity committed to exploring change through creativity, we hope this competition will encourage novices and experienced storytellers, young & old, to literally jot something down, or to record a few minutes of spoken word, to express themselves…”

The prizes include a subscription to Writing Magazine, generous book tokens, a Costa gift card and tickets to the Isle of Wight Literary Festival in October.

The competition will now close at midnight on Friday 21st August (note extended deadline, from original 15th June).  

A shortlist of nominees will be announced on our website and our social media platforms (independentarts.org.uk, https://islesolationgallery.com/, facebook.com/IndependentArtsIOW/  https://twitter.com/IndependentArts) in the week commencing Monday 7^th September. 

Winners will be announced on our website and online festival gallery on Friday 11th September.

How to Enter

Please complete all sections of the entry form below and return it with your submission either by post to: Jot Creative Writing Competition, Independent Arts, Suite 3, 30 Quay Street, Newport. PO30 5BA

or via email to:  [email protected] putting Creative Writing Competition  in the subject box.  

I’m afraid we aren’t able to return submissions but they can be collected from our offices after the results have been announced.

We look forward to receiving your entry.  Best of luck!

Competition Rules

Please note that due to Covid19 restrictions, we have extended the original deadline for entries to the competition, along with dates for the judging and announcements.

Please record your name, address and contact details clearly on the entry form (Form A1) and send it to us together with your submission, either:

by email to

[email protected]

or

by post to:

Independent Arts, Suite 3, 30, Quay Street, Newport. PO30 5BA.

Please:

• Mark your envelope (if posting) for the attention of Independent Arts Creative Writing Competition.
• Do complete all sections of the entry form (Form 1A) including age category and title of work.
• Do include/record the title of your work on your creative submission.
• For untitled pieces please note the first line of your work on the entry form.
• Don’t include your name anywhere on your creative entry to avoid your submission being disqualified.
• Recorded (voice only) spoken word submissions should be no longer than 3 minutes long.
• Email your voice (only) recording to [email protected] together with your completed entry form, and mark your email for the attention of: Independent Arts Creative Writing Competition.
• Don’t record your name on any part of your recording to avoid your submission being disqualified.
• Word processed or typed text submissions should be no longer than one side of standard A4 paper.
  – Use a 12pt font size,
  – Use a clearly legible font style.
  – Use black ink only.
• Hand written submissions are also welcome. These should be no longer than one side of standard A4 paper. Please ensure all hand written submissions are clear and legible. Black pen or pencil ideally.

We are only able to accept one entry per entrant. Employees of Independent Arts and their families are ineligible to enter. This includes arts practitioners engaged by the charity, but not their families.

Once received all submissions will be anonymised to avoid bias.

The closing date for entries is midnight on FRIDAY 21st AUGUST (note extended deadline from original 15th June).

A shortlist of authors to be published on our website and social media on Monday 7th September 2020.

The judges’ decision is final.

Winners to be announced on Independent Arts websites and social media on Friday 11th September 2020.

Unfortunately we are not able to return submissions once the competition has ended. Written entries may be collected from our office after winners have been announced, after which they will be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way.

Entry form

(Word format, fillable)

(printable pdf)