The biennial Michael McLaverty Short Story Prize is open to Northern Irish and Irish writers and has a first prize of £2,000.
The competition, which is run by the Linen Hall Library, Belfast, is for short stories up to 3,000 words on the theme of Lost Fields, which is the title of a 1941 novel by Michael McLaverty set during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The winning story and two runners up will be published in a limited-edition anthology.
All entries must be original, unpublished and unbroadcast. Double space entries on single sides of A4. The writer’s name must not appear on the manuscript. Include a separate sheet with name, address, telephone number and email address and the heading Michael McLaverty Short Story Prize, 2016. There is an entry fee of £10, which may be paid by cheques made out to the Linen Hall Library or through the website. Forward the confirmation email to info@linenhall.com. Only one entry per writer. The closing date is 30 June.