Angus landscape to inspire writers in new competition

Angus is known for its variety of landscapes. (Wallace Ferrier)

A new competition has been launched for Angus creative writers with a focus on the natural history of the county’s varied local landscapes.

Run by ANGUSalive and launched this week, the short story competition celebrates the Year of Stories Scotland 2022.

It invites budding writers from the age of eight years old and upwards to showcase their creative writing talents with an original story inspired by the Angus landscape.

Year of Stories Scotland 2022 focuses on stories inspired by, written or created in Scotland and this competition will provide the opportunity for everyone in Angus to tell a tale inspired by the beautiful county they live in.

Entries will be judged on originality, enjoyment, plot, characterisation and language.

There are exciting prizes to be won in each of the three age categories including publication in an anthology of successful entries. The winners and runners-up will receive a copy which will also be available for lending in Angus libraries and mobile libraries for everyone to enjoy.

Entries will be judged by published authors Chris Longmuir, Sandra Ireland and Wendy H Jones along with the team from Angus libraries.

Chris Longmuir, local author and former winner of the Dundee Book Prize for her novel ‘Dead Wood’, said: “I was delighted to be asked to be a judge in this special Year of Stories 2022.

"I am really looking forward to seeing all the creative ideas and writing that people will come up with – I’m sure the judges wont have an easy task picking the winners in each category!”

Sylvia Main, ANGUSalive children and families library lead, added: ”We felt that running a short story competition, inspired by the landscape where we live, was a great way to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Stories.

" What more could a writer want than to see their story in print? P erhaps the winning entries will be read by future generations hundreds of years from now!”

The competition runs until Sunday, October 16 and the winners will be announced during Book Week Scotland, which runs from November 14-20.

Details about the different categories and how to enter can be found at www.angusalive.scot/whats-on.