Fifty is nifty in story contest

FANCY a creative challenge with a difference to help pass the time as Covid-19 lockdown continues?

The Scottish Book Trust may just have what you need in the shape of their 50 word fiction contest.

Your task – should you choose to accept it – is to write a story in just 50 words based on a prompt given on the organisation's website. Where the story goes from there, however, is up to you.

There is still time to enter this month's competition, with the closing date falling on Tuesday, April 28.

The competition includes four categories: adult writers, all-age Gaelic writers, young writers 5-11 and young writers 12-18. The entries will be judged by a panel and the four winning stories will be published on the trust's website roughly two weeks after the closing date. A prize will be awarded to a writer in each category.

These prizes will be different from usual due to current disruption to office and postal services, but will include:

• Adult writers: A 'go away I'm writing' mug from The Literary Gift Company.
• All-age Gaelic writers: A fab selection of books (delivery of which may be delayed due to current lockdown) from The Gaelic Books Council.
• Young writers 5-11: A cool badge and pencil socks from The Literary Gift Company.
• Young writers 12-18: An excellent notebook and pen from The Literary Gift Company.

More details can be found at the Scottish book Trust website. This includes entries from previous winners.

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