"My tie is straight; my glasses are clean... what could go wrong?"

From: Shorpy

I found this photo on Shorpy. It's crying out for a plot of some kind.
     Maybe you can use it to get your juices (and words) flowing for next year's writing competition. On your mark; get set... write.

Ripe for the picking: £2,500

From: Indulgy

Since our Writing Competition is on hold, here's word of a competition ripe for the picking — and the deadline isn't so bad either: May, 31, 2013.
     I love a good deadline. It's like an alarm bell that calls up the Muse...

"The first Festival of Garden Literature celebrates garden writing as a genre, with a particular emphasis on Memoir. We are holding a writing competition for a piece of literary memoir inspired by, or set in, a garden.

    Judged by Antonia Fraser, Adam Nicolson and Sigrid Rausing, a prize of £2,500 will be awarded to the winning entry. Maximum word length: 2,500 words. […]
     The Prize is open to writers of any nationality writing in English, 16 years old and over at the time of the closing date.
     Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and by submitting you are confirming that the work is your own. Any evidence to the contrary will result in immediate disqualification.
     Entries must never have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast nor winning or placed (as in 2nd, 3rd,, runner up etc) in any other competition. Simultaneous submissions are allowed but will become ineligible should they win a prize or be published prior to the prize-giving date; entry fees will not be refunded.
     The deadline date for entries is 12 midnight (UK time) on Friday 31st May 2013 (postal entries postmarked 31st May but received later will be accepted)."
— Granta
Read more…

Here's a note about the Elora Writers' Festival Competition in 2014.

And come and hear Sonia Day read from her works on May 26 at the Elora Writers' Festival — she's a master of "Garden Literature."

The EWF Writing Competition: We’re taking a break

"Thanks to all those writers who have contributed in the past to the EWF Writing Competition. In case you’ve been wondering why you haven’t seen any information about entering the contest this year, here's the scoop: we're taking a break.
     Our writing contest has slowly been taking on a life of its own, growing to include eight categories - poetry and prose for four age groups - which all need judging, prizes, presentations, marketing and more. The administrative duties have grown, as have the expenses in postage, prizes and volunteer time. The organizing committee has decided to streamline the entire Festival this year, and we're putting any sponsorship money towards the Festival itself, which is, after all, where the focus should be.
     The increasingly unwieldy contest needs a renewal, and this just isn't the year to do it. We've decided to step back, take a break, and find a new Chair or (I hope) Chairs/committee to re-invent the writing contest for our 20th Anniversary next season.
     Writers of all ages – and the teachers and parents who have supported our young writers, especially – we thank you for your efforts and contribution. Please don't run away! The new Contest Chair(s) will be reaching out to you next year.
     As the outgoing Contest Chair, I very much appreciate the contribution you have made to the EWF Writing Competition and the support you've given me in my role over the past six years. Stay tuned – and keep on writing!"
— Jean Mills, Contest Chair

This year the Elora Writers' Festival will bring a more accessible tone to an event that is already renown for its intimacy. In previous years we have allowed attendees to purchase a value-added, DINNER ticket that provided for a reception and sit-down meal with our six authors.
     This year every member of the audience will get to break bread, clink a glass and "schmooze" with the authors.
     So join us on Sunday, May 26 and top off a relaxing afternoon of readings by six of Canada's finest authors with an informal reception; replete with appetizers, rollicking conversation and fine Canadian wine.

For more information about the 2013 Elora Writers' Festival go here...

For information about another competition go here...

Calling All Writers! The 2011 EWF Writing Competitions for Adults, Teens and Juniors

The eighth annual Elora Writers’ Festival Writing Competition welcomes entries in its prose and poetry categories.  Adults (19 and older) are invited to submit a short story or personal essay (maximum 2000 words), and poetry up to 75 lines (may be 1-3 poems).  The EWF Young Writers Contest is open to teens (13-18) and youth (12 and under) in two categories. Teens may submit a short story (maximum 2000 words), and poetry up to 75 lines (may be 1-3 poems). Juniors may submit a short story (maximum 700 words) and poetry (1 poem, maximum 40 lines).

Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category.  The winners will be announced at the Elora Writers’ Festival on Sunday, May 29, 2011, and the winning entries (prose and poetry) will be posted on the Elora Arts Council web site, with the authors’ permission.

The deadline for submission is Friday, April 29, 2011 and adult submissions should include a $15 entry fee (cheques can be made out to the Elora Writers’ Festival).  Complete details and an entry form will be available soon at the Elora Arts Council web site, www.artscouncil.elora.on.ca. 

Contact Jean Mills at jrmills@rogers.com for more information about the Young Writers contest (www.ewfyoungwriterscontest.blogspot.com), and Julia Browne, juliacbrowne@netscape.net, for information about the Adult (Open) contest.

For details about 2013, go here...