UPDATE May 4: Congratulations to When The Machine Arrived writing competition winner Peter Hankins! Read the winning story: "Mechanical Jesus"
UPDATE MARCH 30: Submissions our now closed! Thank you to everyone who participated. Winners will be announced in April. Please join our newsletter for updates and to be the first to know about our next writing competition.
Dear Writer,
Our first writing competition of 2021 explores the impact that technology has on our lives. The theme is "When the Machine Arrived" - you are free to interpret this in any way you see fit. You may choose to discuss the arrival of a new household appliance, explore a recent technological innovation, or discuss changes in how you work, study, or connect with others - it's up to you!
The format is up to you. You can write fiction, non-fiction, or even a text designed for children. However, you must not exceed the word limit of 1500 words (all entries that exceed this limit will be deleted). Please submit only your own unique work that has not been published anywhere else. Multiple entries are accepted, and writers from around the world are welcome to participate.
The judges will be looking for a clear and crisp interpretation of the Competition’s' title and stimulating original work that is thought provoking and enjoyable. By way of example, what happened when your first toaster, television, hair curlers or computer arrived? Or you could see the machine as being an organization’s apparatus or, of course, something completely different. That’s up to your imagination and the experiences you can draw upon.
Entries will be evaluated by senior editors from Exisle Publishing and EK Books. The winning writer will be paid a monetary prize of US $1000 or £725 GBP. (One thousand US dollars or seven hundred and twenty five British pounds). The winner and up to three selected finalists will have their work published on ExisleAcademy.com.
Standard entry is free, however you may choose to pay for an "assessed entry" meaning that, regardless of the outcome of the competition, you will receive detailed and helpful feedback on your story from a competition judge (senior publishers at Exisle Publishing and EK Books). Both standard and assessed entries will be evaluated entirely on their merits.
Entries close on March 30, 2021. The winner and finalists will be announced late April.
Please select your preferred option below to continue:
All entries will be assessed entirely on their merits. Detailed submission instructions will be provided on the next page when you select your preferred option above. We aim to provide feedback to all "Assessed" submissions in April, however if the volume of entry is exceptionally high this may stretch over to May for later entries. The earlier you submit your story, the earlier you will receive feedback.
By submitting a story, you confirm that it is your original work, you own the copyright, and you give Exisle Publishing permission to publish it on ExisleAcademy.com and any associated promotional items should you win or be selected as a finalist. You also confirm it has not previously been published elsewhere online or in print, nor selected for any other competition. Entry is open to writers from around the world, and subject to our Competition Terms & Conditions >>
Customer Support For "Assessed" Entry Queries: [email protected]