Writing prize: Sheffield Short Story Competition

The competition for Sheffield-themed short stories is part of the Off the Shelf litfest

Sheffield Authors are running the competition, which is for short stories up to 1,000 words. Stories must be set in Sheffield or have a Sheffield theme, and should begin with one of the following opening lines:

i) Alex stopped for a breather and looked up at the canopy of the trees as flakes of snow started to fall.

ii) The Town Hall clock marked the quarter hour through the still, evening air; I checked the message again: "Meet me at eight," it said.

iii) The pavements were wet and reflected the light of the streetlamps, the only sound was Sam's own footsteps and those of another a short way behind.

iv) 'What a bloody fool,' Jas muttered, dropping the rose into the bin.

v) Nearly three years since I last visited her… somehow I always knew it would come to this.

The winner will receive a Kindle Fire and their story will be published in Now Then magazine. There will also be second and third prizes, and the winners and shortlisted writers will be invited to read at an Off the Shelf event on 17 October.

The entry fee is £5, which includes a ticket to the event.

The closing date to enter the Sheffield Short Story Competition is 30 September.

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