COMPETITIONS
There are three BWC in-house competitions, the Nancy Meggs Competition for non-fiction, the Jack Kendall Competition for fiction, and the Frances Clamp Award for Literary Achievement in historical non-fiction or children's fiction. All three are named after previous members. There is also occasionally a bi-annual International Competition. All competitions are judged in-house by members of the committee. In-house competitions are free to enter. The BWC International Competition requires a fee.
THE COMPETITION YEAR - 2025
The Jack Kendall Competition – fiction up to 1,000 words
Launch: January meeting
Closing date: March meeting
Awarded: April meeting (or when programme allows)
BWC Bi-Annual International Competition (format TBA)
Launch: May
Closing date: July 31st
Awarded: September meeting
The Frances Clamp Competition – historical non-fiction up to 1,000 words
Launch: September meeting
Closing date: November meeting
Awarded: December meeting
The Jack Kendall fiction and the Nancy Meggs non-fiction competitions alternate with the France Clamp Competition for Literary Achievement in historical non-fiction or children's fiction.
Tales of the Unexpected - Read out at the January meeting
Prizes: In-house competitions:
International Competition:
WHERE TO SEND ENTRIES?
Please post, deliver or email your script to the Secretary. Address and email addresse are included on the entry forms, which are emailed to members or can be collected at one of the meetings.
Entry is free.
Entry details for the BWC International Competition are advertised in the Writing Magazine and the BWC newsletter, Write On.
COMPETITION RULES
1 In-house competitions are only open to paid up members of
Brentwood Writers’ Circle.
2 Only one entry per member, per competition.
3 Entries should not exceed 1000 words (unless stated otherwise).
4 Entries should be the writer’s own unassisted work.
5 All entries should be typed and double-spaced.
6 The font size should not be less than 12 points.
7 Pages should be numbered.
8 Pages should be typed one side only
9 The writer must use a pen name. The writer's own name must not appear on the manuscript.
10 The number of words (excluding the title) should be included on the title page, together with the pen name.
11 The writer's own name, address and the manuscript title should be written on a separate piece of paper and sealed inside an envelope.
12 The manuscript title and the writer's pen name must be written on the front of the envelope and attached to the manuscript.
Scripts should not have been read at any previous BWC meetings.