Staff and student Short Story Competition returns for 2022

The University’s Short Story Competition is returning for 2022, with a brand new theme: ‘Looking Forward, Looking Back.’

This follows a successful inaugural competition in 2021, which saw 85 entries with the theme of ‘Changing Natures’.

You are invited to submit a short story of up to 1500 words relating to the theme of Looking Forward, Looking Back. This competition is open to all staff and all students, with three categories: staff, undergraduate students and postgraduate students.

The winner of each category will have their story published in the University’s ‘The Great Read’ anthology later this year alongside short stories from established authors, and they will also be given the chance to feature in the annual Liverpool Literary Festival.

Other prizes and the panel of competition judges will be announced soon.

Find out more and submit your story here. The closing date for entries is Friday, 22nd April 2022 at 23:59.

Professor Dinah Birch, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement and Professor of English Literature, said: “I’m delighted to invite all of our staff and students to showcase their literary talent in this exciting short story competition.  Even if you’ve never tried your hand as a creative writer, this is your chance to shine.  I know the stories will be intriguing, moving and unexpectedly brilliant, and I’m very much looking forward to reading them!”

There is no entry fee, but each writer can only enter one story.

There is a 1500-word limit and all submissions must be written in English.

Image: Chris Howells via Wikimedia Commons