There’s a new wave of Irish/Celtic authors out there, writers ready to draw on their cultural heritage to create a rich and compelling portfolio of new works. We’re hoping the Celtic Mythology Short Story Competition will help kindle that process!
The Competition aims to collect the best contemporary narratives on Gaelic/Celtic mythology. Celtic mythology stories have been consigned to the cartoonish realm of ‘children’s fairytales’ and lain dormant for far too long. We – the organisers of the Competition – are determined to reintroduce them to a much wider readership.
First Prize
$500 and story published in Irish Imbas Celtic Mythology Collection
Second Prize
$250 and story published in Irish Imbas Celtic Mythology Collection
Third Prize
$100 and story published in Irish Imbas Celtic Mythology Collection
What We’re Looking For
Fiction short stories (action, romance, drama, humour etc.) which meet the following criteria:
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Celtic mythology or folklore must be a fundamental element of the story (i.e. the characters can be characters from Celtic mythology, the action can take place in a mythological location, mythological concepts can be used etc.).
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The Celtic folklore or mythological reference used should be as authentic as possible (for example; no dedicated pantheon of Irish Gods, no werewolves or vampires etc.)
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A compelling story/theme, engaging characters. (You’re a writer – you know what we mean!)
Of course, the success of a story relies on the judgement/taste of the individual reader and it’s impossible to tell what one person will like over another. However, the stronger the narrative is and the stronger the cultural element, the greater the chances of making the short-list.
The Rules
- Maximum number of words is 3000 words, excluding the title.
- Submissions must be received by midnight 10 December 2015. Submissions received after that date will be automatically enrolled in the 2016 competition and the same conditions apply.
- Submissions must be in English
- The competition is open to authors residing anywhere in the world.
- The submitted stories must be the original work of the entrant.
- The submitted stories may not have been previously published (print or online). If you receive a prize and/or are published as part of this competition, we’re more than happy for you to resubmit your story for publication elsewhere, provided we retain one-time, non-exclusive publication rights to the story for the Irish Imbas Celtic Mythology Collection
- Authors will retain copyright of their submitted stories.
- Authors can submit up to three stories maximum however each author can only win one cash prize.
- Submissions must be sent by email as attachments (i.e. not in the body of the mail) to: info@irishimbasbooks.com
- Submissions should include: The submitted short story(ies) as attachments – Word documents in doc. or docx.
- Your name and address in the body of the email
- The transaction ID of your Paypal entry fee payment
- A short biography (maximum 300 words) in the body of the email (to be used in the Irish Imbas
- Celtic Mythology Collection)
- The email subject line should contain the words: ‘Irish Imbas Short Story Competition Entry – Author Name’.
Judges are only human so if the fonts you use are difficult for judges to read, your entry is likely to suffer as a result. Therefore, please ensure submissions use clear, simple fonts (Times New Roman, Georgia or Arial)There is a $US 8 (eight US dollars) entry fee for 1 (one) entry, a $US 12 (twelve dollars US) entry fee for 2 (two) entries and a $USD 15 (fifteen US dollars) entry fee for 3 (three) entries. Please pay BEFORE sending your entry.
- Submission of a short story to the Irish Imbas Celtic Mythology Short Story Competition is taken as acceptance of all the Rules, Terms and Conditions.
- Once a submission is received, no refunds of the entry fee will be given under any circumstances.
Further information: Irish Imbas Celtic Short Story Competition (a very comprehensive website!)
Tinteán 