Entering writing contests is possibly one of the best things you can do to improve yourself as a writer. You are given a challenge – it’s a motivation, a framework. You write for longer to meet a deadline, and edit better to meet a word limit. After that, once you submit your piece, you learn about the hope and anticipation of having your work judged. Then after a wait, when the winners are announced, you might be disappointed, or you might be ecstatic. Either way, you’ll always come out of it a better writer.

This is an ethos we believe at our competition, The Dorset Fiction Award. We’re running a short story contest, rolling twice a year. It’s open to anyone from anywhere, closing on the 10^th of June. We’re looking for fewer than one thousands words of fiction in any genre/topic. The first prize is our unconditional love and admiration… as well as £500. You’ll also get published in our yearly anthology.

Also, on a lighter note, do you like otters? They’re the cute furry things that can swim. Because on this turn, we are supporting the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF). A brilliant charity dedicated to the protection and conservation of otters. The winner of this competition will also get to choose the charity of the next turn.

For all the details, check out our website http://www.dorsetfictionaward.co.uk/

Also connect with us @DorsetFiction

And to all the writers out there – keep on at it, and we hope to read you soon!