La Scala Studios Short Story Competition 2011

Pippa Ireland presenting prize in 2010 to E Headland

I took part in this contest last year, and won a prize. The judges are well-selected for this contest and the prizes are many and varied. If you enjoy writing contest, I’d advise a go at this one SA.

Following the success of last year's competition, La Scala Studios is pleased to launch another short story competition this year. Entry is open to all, with special prize sections for Pony Club and Riding Club members, Yorkshire residents and racing themed stories. This is a competition designed to encourage creativity, especially in the young. We are grateful to all those sponsors from last year who have come on board again this year to generously support this important competition, and we welcome the new sponsors that have pledged their support this year. Also, we are delighted that Jefferies Saddlery have taken over as the major sponsor which includes the choice of one of their superb saddles for the winner of the first prize in the equestrian section. Moreover, we are also pleased to announce that the judges will once again include Penny Grubb, the award winning author, and John Fairley of Channel Four Racing. So all you need to do is get writing!

PRIZES FOR OPEN SECTION

1st Prize:£200

2nd Prize:£100

3rd Prize:£50

PRIZES FOR EQUESTRIAN SECTION[/size

1st Prize - A brand new saddle of the winner's choice from the Jefferies Saddlery range

2nd Prize - A brand new English leather bridle from Jeffries Saddlery

3rd Prize - A pass to the Bramham International Horse Trials 2012

Runners up prizes in the major sections include: Insurance vouchers, a polo lesson, a specialist equine infrared treatment, saddlery shop vouchers, a gift pack from renowned artist Susan Alison

Yorkshire residents:

1st Prize - A day bout at the Great Yorkshire Show 2012 plus a signed copy of The Jawbone Gang

Runner up - A day out at Beverley Races  (last year, I won this prize and had a very interesting day out to a venue I wouldn’t normally have visited  SA).

Best entry from a Pony Club and Riding Club member each wins a high quality plastic moulded hay

Best entry from a Yorkshire Pony Club member wins an equine infrared treatment

BEST RACING THEMED STORY PRIZE:

A VIP day out at the races at any of the following racecourses: Doncaster, Folkestone, Lingfield Park, Royal Windsor, Southwell, Worcester or Wolverhampton on a date of the winner's choice (excluding Doncaster's St Ledger Festival, Lingfield's Sportingbet Winter Derby, or Totesport Derby Trial). The prize includes a 3-course lunch or dinner with a bottle of champagne in one of Arena's premiere viewing restaurants, with a table for the day, racecards, premiere badges and car parking. The winner's party will be offered a visit to the paddock with a racecourse executive, and a mini behind the scenes tour of the weighing room and pre-parade room, where they might get to chat with the jockeys.

For more writing contests click this link.

Writing Progress: 2000 Words

Up relatively early and completed around 2000 words of Ch19; continuing to go well. Remembered I needed to insert a couple of sentences of explanation in Ch17. It's too easy to miss essential information for the reader when you're in creative mode because you live so close to the story as you're developing it.
Had a walk with Valerie after breakfast for exercise and fresh air. Nothing exciting, just a short loop to take in the edge of town and a small section of land set aside as a green space.
Spent time in the garden, trimming the laurels so the magnolia has room to bloom in style. Took some of the height off a fir and reduced the lilac, as it had grown into a very ugly shape and was in danger of obstructing an access path.
Had to rest after this, of course: the only way I can do anything physical is to rest afterwards. But it coincided with today's Grand National, so I saw that live for a change. Hadn't placed a bet, though.
And, now, I have completed the compilation of the love story anthology, sorted the formatting and prepared it for upload to both Smashwords and Kindle, designed a suitable cover picture using a stock photo from that great site, Dreamstime.com, and uploaded the whole to the two sites. Just have to wait for them both to come back with approval and I can let people know it's available to read.

Today's picture is from one of our regular Sunday walks.