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Vor dem Tanz [Before the Dance], Austria 1872, by Franz von Defregger (1835-1921)
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New competition theme (image prompt) for April-June 2025

New competition themeApril 2025 Our competition theme for April to June 2025 is an image prompt: Vor dem Tanz [Before the Dance], Austria 1872, by Franz von Defregger (1835-1921) Whether you focus on the dancers or the musicians, the people in the foreground or the background, or those just out of frame, we want to hear their story. What are they saying, doing, eating, and thinking? What are their hopes for the night? What happens before the dance, and what is the result? As usual, the word...

Writing paper and tulips

New competition themeJanuary 2025 Our competition theme for January to March 2025 is Square. Whether your character is making a 5-by-5 bingo card for the new year, or a giant 452 grid (for some reason); whether they meet for tea in a quaint European square, or click their heels across Vermeer's black and white tiles - we look forward to see what you come up with for our first theme of 2025! As usual, the word limit is 500 words, we're open to any style, genre or form (including poetry,...

face competition theme

Writing OpportunitiesOctober 2024 Dear all, In this update: Oct-Dec 2024 competition theme: Face Free trial of Rise and Shine, online writers' platform New competition theme Our competition theme for October to December 2024 is Face. As usual, the word limit is 500 words, we're open to any style, genre or form (including poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and scripts). We've kept the submission fee at £4 per piece, or it's free if you've attended one of our events in the last year. The deadline...

Writing Opportunitiesspring 2024 Dear all, In this update: April-June competition theme: Rough Free trial of Rise and Shine, online writers' platform Spaces available in our weekly feedback group Fourth Floor anthology update New competition theme Our competition theme for April to June 2024 is Rough. From your rough first draft, to a rough day at the office; from a rough diamond to a golf ball in the rough. Your character might only roughly know where they’re going, or might be too rough...

walking through door

Competition news, October 2023 Dear all, In this update: New competition theme: Shades Events: feedback group, workshops, online platform New competition theme Our competition theme for October to December 2023 is Shades. Whether it’s the shades of grey in making a decision or shadowy ghosts spied at dusk, whether your character makes up the names for paint samples or always wears dark glasses, we’d like to see how our word prompt inspires your creativity! As usual, the word limit is 500...

Cornerstone Arts Centre

Competition news, September 2023 In this update: Winners of our '23' competiton (Q1 2023) Winners of our Flying competition (Q2 2023) Current competition theme: 'blue piano' image prompt Other news: workshops, networking, online platform Winners announcements I'm delighted to announce the Winners and Readers' Choices of our last two competitions as follows: 23 (Jan-Mar 2023)Winner:Pink 23, by Akin Makanjuola Reader's Choices:#67, #68, #69: Having Made Done, a New Year’s Resolution for 2023,...

Didcot Writers logo

Competition news, May 2023 In this update: Winners of our Stars competiton (Q3 2022) Winners of our Haunted competition (Q4 2022) Current competition theme: Flying Other news: workshop, writing retreat, online network, Fourth Floor anthology Winners announcements With apologies that these announcements are so delayed, I'm delighted to announce the Winners and Readers' Choices as follows: Stars (July-Sept 2022)Winner:The first drink I ever had, by Amy Elise Walter Reader's Choices:Stars Hide...

Didcot Writers logo

Competition news, April 2023 New competition theme and anthology reminder Our new competition theme for April to July 2023 is: Flying You could write from the point of view of a pilot or an insect; your character could be afraid of flying or might be learning to skydive; you could write a historical piece about the Wright brothers, or a sci-fi about a world where superheroes exist. We look forward to seeing what you come up with! As usual, the word limit is 500 words, we're open to any style,...