Calling young authors!

A vivid imagination and an ability to write well are two gifts the The Royal Gazette is anxious to nurture. The annual Christmas Short Story competition is an ideal opportunity for young people to flex their mental muscles as they create an uplifting, entertaining story reflecting Christmas in Bermuda.

Cash prizes for winner and runner-up will be awarded in under 13 and under 18 age groups (adults have their own category), and will be $400 and $250 respectively. There will also be a special award of $125 for the authors of stories showing exceptional promise in each category.

The stories may be fiction or non-fiction, but the judges look for vivid Christmas themes, local references and content, and correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Judges prefer entries that reflect the peaceful and uplifting nature of the holiday season. The word limit is 1,500.

Typed stories, marked 'Christmas Short Story Entry', and including the full name, address, telephone number and age category of the author, must be submitted by Monday, December 8 at 5 pm. Stories received after the deadline will not be considered.

Typescripts may be submitted by hand in the drop-off box in the lobby of The Royal Gazette or by mail to 'Christmas Short Story Contest', The Royal Gazette, PO Box HM1025, Hamilton HMDX. Entries can also be e-mailed to jmoniz@royalgazette.bm

A panel of judges will decide the winning entries that will be published in The Royal Gazette's Christmas Greetings Supplement on Christmas Eve.

Due to the high volume of submissions, The Royal Gazette staff cannot respond to telephone or e-mail inquiries once an entry is submitted. The Royal Gazette reserves the right to publish any or all of the stories submitted.