Centred around the compelling theme of Social Media: A Writer’s Tale, as a new national writing competition, Write Here, Write Now encourages young students to reflect on social media’s growing influence.
In just 15 short years, social media has participated in and brought about some of the most extraordinary recent societal changes. With new, instant ways to communicate via the likes of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and more, the world has never felt so fast paced or interconnected. But these multiple communication platforms have their drawbacks too, with Fake News dominating elections, online bullying impacting adversely on individuals, and the culture of social media affecting the way we live our lives.
Write Here, Write Now presents an exceptional opportunity to showcase the imagination and insight of Ireland’s young people on something that has become such a commanding part of all our lives and in particular, the medium of the younger generation. A collaboration between Hot Press and Creative Ireland, Write Here, Write Now presents young writers all over Ireland with an unprecedented creative opportunity.
The Competition
One of the key objectives of the Creative Ireland Programme is to nurture and develop new creative talent. In Write Here, Write Now, Hot Press and Creative Ireland aim to uncover the very best burgeoning writing talent in the country.
With Social Media: A Writer’s Tale, young people are invited to unleash their imagination and create a story which involves – or which reflects on – the good, the bad, the humorous and the absurd nature of this social and cultural phenomenon. Write Here, Write Now will draw young talent into Ireland’s vital creative landscape, help them to find their voices – and then celebrate the achievement of those demonstrating particularly special talent.
In 500 words or less, entrants must commit their vision to paper, create a fictional world, or reflect on the theme of social media and its impact on our lives in whatever way they think works best. Competition entries can be in the form of stories, poems, songs, monologues, film scripts – or whatever creative medium the entrant chooses.
The competition will be a test of creativity, originality, style – and of the ability to entertain or enthrall.
Write Here, Write Now will draw young talent into Ireland’s vital creative landscape, help them to find their voices – and then celebrate the achievement of those demonstrating particularly special talent.
The Judges
The competition’s special panel of writing experts will include the Booker-prize winning D.B.C. Pierre; the multiple award-winning crime writer Tana French; recent winner of the Goldsmiths Prize, Mike McCormack; acclaimed poet Rita Ann Higgins; Hot Press Editor Niall Stokes; and Deputy Editor Stuart Clark.
The Prizes
There are separate competitions and prizes for students at Secondary Level (Leaving Certificate 5th and 6th Year and GCSE/A-Level); and Tertiary Level (students still attending college/university, as well as anyone who has finished third level education in the past 12 months).
There will be one male and one female winner from both Second and Third Levels, making if four national winners in all. These four overall winners will win an internship in Hot Press, during the spring or summer of 2018.
They will also receive a Canon PowerShot SX620 camera, a €250 cash prize, a Certificate of Achievement from Write Here, Write Now, and much more.
Four runners-up, one from each province, will be selected in both Second Level and Third Level categories to receive special prizes. There will also be prizes for 10 additional runners-up – amounting to 22 talented winners in all.
This unique competition is open to anyone throughout Ireland and there is no entry fee.
The closing date for completed entries is February 10, 2018. To submit your entry, log on to: hotpress.com/writeherewritenow. For queries, email: writeherewritenow@hotpress.ie