To all aspiring, talented writers the Maria Edgeworth’s Centre is pleased to announce the annual, Maria Edgeworth Festival of Literature & Arts here in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. As part of our eventful weekend, we will be hosting a Literary Writing Competition in which we invite writers from all walks of life to submit any short stories or poems of their own invention.
Submissions for the competition will take place months prior and the winners will be announced on the Saturday during our “Culture Night Event” of the festival. The Longford Literary festival is the Centre’s way of inspiring creative writing in the spirit of the famous author herself, while also offering competitors a chance to win some fabulous prizes.
The Literary Writing Competition is divided into two categories: Adult Poetry and Adult Short Story. Judging will be conducted by writers selected by the Festival Committee. They will first create a shortlist of the top six entries, from which the judges will then select the winner, second place, third place, and three additional shortlisted entries.
In the spirit of the Literary Festival, we must insist that the any and all submissions must be original, must not have been submitted to any publications, broadcasts or any type of public domain prior to the competition. This also includes any podcasts or social media posts.
For those who have a flair for rhymes and a passion for sonnets, this is the place for literary enthusiasts to express their inner Yeats and Heaney. The Literary Festival has a deep appreciation for poetry owing to the fact that Maria Edgeworth rubbed shoulders with the greats of her time such as William Wordsworth.
It also goes without saying, that Ireland has a deep history and association with poetry dating back centuries especially within Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Here is an excerpt from last year’s winner:
Edvard Munch Paints the Scream by Christian Ward
It is spring and snow is falling inside the house.
The face on the canvas cannot taste
the snowflakes, content only to unleash its howl
on an unsuspecting audience. The face
on the canvas is misshapen like my grief –
a badly stretched bicycle seat, a lightbulb
in the final moments before its detonation,
a pie crust stretched beyond the boundaries
of the pan.
Literary Writing Competition Rules:
To ensure a smooth collaboration regarding submission and presentation, the rules and instructions can be found on our competition entry website. Be sure to check them carefully before submitting your work!
Thinking of delving into the world of fantasy, non-fiction, or adventure? Maybe write about a classic scandalous tale, local legend or folk story? Then the Adult Short Story Competition is the place for your work.
Renowned for her love of short stories and plays, Maria Edgeworth became famous for her own various collections. From the sitting room to paper, she wrote from the earliest age of fourteen and had a deep appreciation for Irish culture and tradition.
Like many Irish writers’ short story was, at times, one of the only ways for writers to communicate with each other and the general masses. With the Literary Writing Competition we commemorate this long-celebrated tradition and invite you to share in this experience. Here is an excerpt from last year’s winner.
One Small Step by Monica McGuiness
The feel of his hand had never changed, that firm but gentle feeling, covering hers. She still remembered the first time she ever held his hand, so, so long ago. It was dark and there had been quite the crowd that night, gathered together to watch the eclipse. Some more serious than others, tripods and picnic blankets strewn across the deer cropped grass.
Daphne had gone with a friend, a girl she shared a flat with. She wasn’t really bothered about the eclipse, the first since the moon landing but the weather was fine and there was a strange summer atmosphere, carnival like, with strangers smiling and talking to each other in excited voices, so they packed a small bag and set off for the park. … read more>>
As mentioned before, for a seamless submission and presentation process, you’ll find all the rules and instructions on our competition entry website. Be sure to review them thoroughly before submitting your entry!
Feeling inspired? Don’t wait—submit your work to our Literary Writing Competition today! Whether it’s a poem that speaks from the heart or a short story that captures your imagination, we can’t wait to see what you’ve created. Get your entry in and be part of this exciting literary journey!
Written by: Nicolas Keary
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