The Champion short story challenge

YOUNG writers are once again being offered an opportunity to have their work published in the columns of The Clare Champion, as winners of an exciting competition with a prize fund of €1,500.
Second level schools in County Clare and South Galway have recently been contacted to encourage students to get writing for what is one of the most prestigious competitions for young writers in this country.
The Clare Champion Second Level Schools Short Story Competition 2012 is expected to attract a big entry from over 20 schools. This is the sixth year of the competition and to date more than 1,000 stories have been submitted. Each year, €300, €200 and €100 is presented to the top three stories in both the Junior and Leaving Cert categories and there are also cash prizes for highly commended entries. All of these stories are published in The Clare Champion in May.
Stories are also posted on the Clare County Library website and yet another added dimension is that prizewinners are invited to read their work at the following year’s Ennis Book Club Festival.
Students really look forward to the challenge of crafting a story of between 1,000 and 1,500 words on any subject under the sun, ranging from humorous to deadly serious. Many young writers have emerged as winners on a number of occasions, despite the fact that stories are anonymous when read by an experienced panel of judges that has included folklorist Eddie Lenihan, retired county librarian, Noel Crowley and novelist Niall Williams.
One writer, who has entered the competition every year, has the distinction of winning first prize in both the Junior and Leaving Cert sections.
Shortlisted writers are joined by teachers, family and friends at the annual awards ceremony at the de Valera Library in Ennis where the winners are revealed.
Musical performances by students from Coláiste Muire, Rice College and Maoin Cheoil an Chláir as well as a barbershop quartet have enhanced the awards proceedings.
Editor Austin Hobbs is looking forward to reading the 2012 entries. “It’s a fantastic experience to see so many stories land on my desk every year. The students never disappoint; they have great imagination and writing skills,” he said.
Managing director John Galvin said The Clare Champion’s association with the short story competition has been a very rewarding experience.
“This is certainly one of our most successful initiatives aimed at young people. I too am looking forward to plenty of new reading material when the deadline closes,” he said.
Entries, specifying junior or senior category, age, class and teacher, should reach The Clare Champion before Friday, February 3, 2012.