It’s that time again, our second annual Short Story Competition is now open for submissions, and this year we’ve bumped the first prize up to £500! What are we looking for: the best short story of up to 2,500 words. Stories can be any genre, but as we’re always on the lookout for the Best Short Story, we advise not sending bribes. They’re welcome, obviously, but we retain the right to keep them even if you don’t win.

Prizes:
1st Prize - £500
2nd Prize - £100
3rd Prize - £50

Closing Date: 27th January 2012

Results: All three winning entries will be published in the April 2012 issue of Words with JAM.

Judge: Douglas Jackson

Doug Jackson is the writer of four successful historical novels and one mystery thriller. He was born in Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders and history has always been in his blood. He left school aged 15 and spent three months restoring a Roman camp in the Cheviots before joining the local paper because he enjoyed writing and had no idea what to do with his life.

Reporter, sub-editor, chief sub and night editor, he eventually spent nine heady years as assistant editor of The Scotsman. In 2005 he began what he describes as 'digging an escape tunnel on the train with my laptop', which was actually The Emperor's Elephant, a project that turned into the novels Caligula and Claudius. In July 2009 he gave up the day job when he received a contract to write a new trilogy. The series began with Hero of Rome and has now been followed by Defender of Rome. His first thriller, The Doomsday Testament, written under the name James Douglas, was published in August.

http://www.douglas-jackson.net/

Entry

Stories can be up to, but not exceeding 2,500 words, excluding the title
 
You can submit more than one entry. First entry submitted is £6, or £10 for two
 
Please do not put your name anywhere on your prose as it will be judged anonymously
 
Please download and complete the entry form (see menu left)

To submit online  
Pay via Paypal and add the Paypal payment reference number to the top of the first page of your entry, above the title, and on the entry form.
 
Attach entry form and story as a Word Document to an email with the subject 'Short Story Competition 2011' and send to submissions@wordswithjam.co.uk

To submit via Snail Mail  
Write out a cheque made payable to ‘J Smith' for the correct amount in Sterling.

Stick the cheque and a copy of your entry form in an envelope and post it (with a stamp on!) to 'Short Story Competition 2011’, Quinn Publications, 2 Malt Kiln Road, Newbiggin, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0TU, United Kingdom

Attach entry form and entry as a Word Document to an email with the subject 'Short Story Competition 2011’ and send to submissions@wordswithjam.co.uk

If you really want to submit the actual entry via Snail Mail, print it off on A4 paper, 1.5 line space in either Times or Arial and stick it in the envelope too, but it's preferable if you email it so we have a digital copy

Postal entries need to be postmarked 27th January 2012 to meet the deadline criteria.

A Few Rules

It is vital that you read the competition rules before submitting. There aren't many!

We will not return or keep entries after the winners have been announced. Please keep your own copy

Entries must be in English and your own work

You must be 18 years or over
 
Stories must be previously unpublished either online or in print, and must not have been accepted for publication elsewhere. We do, however, accept stories that have been on critique forums or are currently submitted to another competition

Online entries will be acknowledged within 48 hours, when we have had chance to give them a reference on our system. If you require acknowledgement of receipt of postal entries, please enclose an SASE

No alterations may be made to an entry once it has been submitted

Copyright remains with the author. However, Words with JAM retain the right to publish the winning entries in its magazine and on its website, and for general PR for a period not exceeding 18 months

Entries from regular columnists of Words with JAM, or any person assisting in the judging process, will not be accepted
 
Entries sent directly to to the judge will be replied to unread - this is to ensure all entries are judged anonymously

Prizes will be paid within 30 days of publication of the winning entries either by cheque, bank transfer or Paypal.

http://www.wordswithjam.co.uk/
http://www.wordswithjam.co.uk/#/short ... mpetition-2011/4550153175

Click on the link above and go to the contest official site