Now’s the time for future writers

THE 19th Time of the Writer hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal invites South African high school learners to submit their short stories for the annual schools short story competition by Friday, 26 February.

Held in conjunction with the Time of the Writer Festival, the schools short story competition is open to all South African high school learners and aims to encourage creative expression in young people while functioning as a springboard for the country’s future writers.

With the festival’s long standing commitment toward nurturing a culture of reading and writing, this competition has received a wide appeal that continues to grow with each edition of the festival.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes, book vouchers and complimentary tickets to the festival.

The Time of the Writer takes place from 14 to 19 March. As one of the country’s longest running literature festivals, Time of the Writer brings together some of the best authors, publishers, and editors from around the world, while focusing on providing a platform to KZN talent. In addition to the nightly showcases at the various community-based venues, the festival also organises a broad range of free daily activities including an educational and entertaining programme of workshops, reading sessions and panel discussions. This includes engagement with teachers, on the implementation of literature in the classroom and with members of the public interested in literature as well as visits to schools by the festival participants.

For more information on the festival or the competition, go to www.cca/ukzn.ac.za or contact the Centre for Creative Arts on 031-260-2506/1816 or email schools@cca-ukzn.co.za

Conditions of entry for the competition:

• The competition is open to all South African high school students.
• There is no particular topic for the short stories.
• The short stories can be written in English or isiZulu.
• Illegible entries will not be considered and typed entries are preferred.
• Short stories are to be a maximum of five pages in length.
• Deadline for submissions is 4pm on 26 February.

How to enter: Entries can be submitted by email to schools@cca-ukzn.co.za; fax on 031-260-3074 or hand delivery to Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN Howard College campus, Mazisi Kunene Avenue, Durban.

All entries must include the school’s name, contact details and physical address; name of submitter (including grade, age and contact details) and ensure that all pages are numbered.