Author Archives: ouenpress

Call for submissions – Let your creativity sparkle!

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Call for submissions – 2019 Ouen Press Short Story Competition

Ouen Press are pleased to extend an invitation for writers to submit an original short story in line with this year’s theme – ‘The Gift’. Winning authors will receive cash prizes and be published in an anthology early in the New Year. This follows on from the success of the competition in previous years and subsequent publications .

Ouen Press 2019 Short Story Competition – The Gift – Call for Submissions!

The short story must be a work of fiction involving in its theme a ‘gift’ of any sort [e.g. a present, a capability ] at any time [past, present day, future] or in any place [this world or another]. For the purposes of this competition, the term ‘gift’ will be viewed by the judges in the widest possible sense related to both setting and context. They will focus on well-written compelling storylines, thoughtful plots and engaging characters.

Deadline for entries is 31st December 2019 – full information and rules of the competition, which is open to writers worldwide, can be found at www.ouenpress.com

 For updates on our activities – come follow us on Twitter @OuenP 

 We’d be thrilled if you Like our Facebook page

OUEN PRESS SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2017 – FINAL RESULTS JUST OUT!

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Tasting Notes & other short stories – a diverse menu of short fiction expertly crafted to tantalise and entertain.

The very best 2017 competition entries have been published in one anthology entitled ‘Tasting Notes & other short stories’ – a diverse and complex menu of short fiction, expertly crafted to tantalise and entertain.

Contributors were encouraged to explore imaginative interpretations of one or more of the various meanings that could be derived from the term ‘Taste’.

Congratulations to the prizewinners and many thanks to all who entered the competition – visit www.ouenpress.com to view the FINAL RESULTS.

Sussex based editor and writer, Philippa R Francis writing as K.M. Lockwood was placed as overall winner her work ‘Tasting Notes’. Other prizewinners include Texan-based writer Randall G. Arnold for ‘Taste of the Broken Sea, and UEA Creative Writing graduate and editor Krishan Coupland for ‘The Life of Dogbreath’.

Delighted again with the global reach of the competition, we have been enthralled by those who have opted for the less obvious approaches to the brief, as we hoped they would do what excellent writers can do – expand the subject beyond what might first come to mind.

Deadline dates and details of the theme for the next competition will be made available on our website later in the year – or you may wish to check in with us on Twitter @OuenP or Facebook @ouenpress, for more regular updates on future competitions and all our other activities.

Wishing you every success with your future writing projects.

The Ouen Press team

 

Need an opportunity to express yourself?

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2017 Ouen Press Short Story Competition on ‘Taste’

Calling out to all talented wordsmiths for compelling, imaginative stories

For the third year running Ouen Press are delighted to extend an invitation for writers to submit an original short story in line with this year’s theme – ‘Taste’. Winning authors will receive cash prizes and be published in an anthology early in the New Year. This follows on from the popularity of past competitions and subsequent publication of the winning entries in Journey through Uncertainty & Last Call.

The short story must be a work of fiction that explores the concept of ‘Taste’ within its theme.  The ideal submission will be a well-crafted, compelling story – the judges will be particularly interested in imaginative interpretations of one or more of the various meanings that could be derived from the term ‘Taste’.

Deadline for entries is 31st December 2017 – full information and rules of the competition, which is open to writers worldwide, can be found at www.ouenpress.com

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Ouen Press is a small independent publisher seeking to establish a close working relationship with an ensemble of gifted storytellers, capable of offering readers compelling tales.

Both Journey through Uncertainty & other short stories AND Last Call & other short stories – distinctive anthologies including the winners from the 2016 & 2015 Ouen Press short story competitions respectively are available from Amazon in paperback & eBook.

For updates on our activities – we’d be delighted if you would come follow us on Twitter @OuenP or Like our Facebook page @OuenPress

JUST OUT! Final Results – Ouen Press Short Story Competition 2016

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The very best 2016 competition entries have been published in one anthology entitled Journey through Uncertainty & other short stories features physical and emotional journeys, endured and enjoyed, with humour and courage – each one a testimony to a place, or an event, or a sentiment.

A collection of thought provoking and inspirational travel tales.

Contributors were encouraged to relay through their writing how they might have been changed by a ‘journey’ or how their travels allowed them time to reflect and reinforce, or challenge, accepted viewpoints.

Congratulations to the prizewinners and many thanks to all who entered the competition – visit www.ouenpress.com to view the FINAL RESULTS.

Eire based business writer and housewife, Emma Smith won top place for her work Journey through Uncertainty. Other prizewinners include former UK government advisor and diplomat John Frew, for Danny on the Beach, and London based actor, writer & adventurer Sophia Jackson-Gill for The Land of the Free.

We were delighted again with the global reach of the competition as we promoted a worldwide submissions policy, reflecting our interest in talented writers regardless of geography.

And what’s more, the show of interest in the competition from both experienced writers and those new to the short story form has encouraged us here at Ouen Press to continue with the annual competition. Deadline dates and details of the upcoming theme will be made available on our website later in the year – or you may wish to check in with us on Twitter @OuenP or Facebook @ouenpress for more regular updates on future competitions and all our other activities.

Wishing you every success with your future writing projects, all the best from the Ouen Press team.

Inspire us with your true travel tales

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Travel, Indien, India

Here we go!  Launching the 2016 Ouen Press Short Story Competition

Ouen Press are pleased to extend an invitation for writers to submit an original short story in line with this year’s theme – ‘The Journey’. Winning authors will receive cash prizes and be published in an anthology early in the New Year. This follows on from the success of last year’s competition and subsequent publication of the winning entries in Last Call & other short stories.

The short story must be true, but can be about a journey in any setting, of any distance, or at any time. The judges will be particularly interested in well-written pieces about encounters that have profoundly thrilled, possibly terrified or provided humour. The ideal submission will elicit a strong emotional response conveying travel experiences where the writer’s life has been transformed or enlightened as a result.

Deadline for entries is 31st October 2016 – full information and rules of the competition, which is open to writers worldwide, can be found at www.ouenpress.com

For updates on our activities – come follow us on Twitter @OuenP

NEW for 2016 – We’d be thrilled if you Like our Facebook page

Working Dogs ‘International’ Short Story Competition 2015

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The very best 2015 competition entries have been published in one anthology entitled ‘Last Call & other short stories’ which features fictitious canines portrayed in many different roles – companion, hero, fighter, helper – from Swiss mountain ranges to small-town Canada, across urban and rural landscapes – providing the reader with a compelling variety of tales and countless memorable journeys. Naturally, we think this would make a ‘novel’ gift for any dog owner or short story enthusiast!

A compelling variety of tales and countless memorable journeys.

A compelling variety of tales and countless memorable journeys.

Encouraging this theme provided a broad canvas of possibility whilst highlighting the potential and positive impact canine companions have on human lives.  We were delighted with the global reach of the competition as we promoted a worldwide submissions policy, reflecting our interest in talented writers regardless of geography.

Congratulations to the prizewinners and many thanks to all who entered the competition -visit www.ouenpress.com to view the FINAL RESULTS.

London-based Guardian newspaper journalist and author, Robert Hull won top place in for his work ‘Last Call’. Other prizewinners were fellow British journalist Jane Connolly, for Old Tricks and Canadian author, Claire Lawrence for God’s Dog Day.

Having seen the interest this competition has generated with both experienced writers and those new to the short story form, it is our intention to run an annual competition.

Deadline dates and next year’s theme will be made available on our website early in 2016 – or you may wish to check in with us on Twitter @OuenP  for more regular updates on future competitions and all our other activities.

Good luck with your writing projects and very best for the festive season!

Ouen Press team

DOG DIARIES competition – submission deadline approaching fast

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Just under 2 WEEKS to go – DOGDIARIES competition deadline 15th July – with prizes and potential for publication.

We have been delighted with the response to this competition. Writers’ organisations, bloggers and magazines have all carried the news of what we are doing far and wide … and entries have already started to arrive with us. We can see that our summer reading material is going to be of a high standard.

Ouen Press is a small, independent publisher making discoveries in contemporary fiction, travel literature and edgy biography – engaging storytellers offering readers compelling tales. We intend to compile the DOG DIARIES competition winners and highly commended entries into a paperback which will go on sale just before the end of the year – to celebrate the achievement of the shortlisted writers and also to raise the profile of this captivating subject matter.

Add a dash of imagination to this rich resource of inspiration and yours could be a winning entry. There’s still time to submit your short story – for more information visit www.ouenpress.com

Ouen Press Short Story Competition 2015

Ouen Press Short Story Competition 2015