Donna Collins' Blog

This weeks competitions that have caught my eye:

FICTION: Via First Writer

Annual Short Grain Fiction Contest 
Category:   Fiction
Closes:  1st April 2012
Fees:   $35 for one entry.
Prizes:   $1,000 for first place. $750; $500.
Details:   For short stories up to 2,500 words.
Contact:   Short Grain Contest, P.O. Box 67, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3K1
Country:   Canada
Website:   http://www.grainmagazine.ca/contest.html

The Muse in Alms
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   21st July 2012
Fees:   Ł0 for one entry.
Prizes:   Ł100 for first place.
Details:   The EU want to a new anthem which represents the ideals of freedom and democracy in the modern world. You are charged with writing the words which will comprise this new anthem. Max. 40 lines. Online submissions only.
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   email@bardandmuse.co.uk
Website:   http://bardandmuse.co.uk

Rider Haggard Society Short Story Competition
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   30th March 2012
Fees:   £10 for one entry.
Prizes:   £200 for first place. Also free society membership.
Details:   For stories in the oral tradition starting with the sentence provided on the website.
Contact:   Roger Allen, 27 Deneholm. Whitley Bay NE25 9AU
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   rb27allen@blueyonder.co.uk
Website:   http://www.riderhaggardsociety.org.uk/competition.htm

John Gardner Memorial Prize for Fiction
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   15th April 2012
Fees:   $15 for one entry.
Prizes:   $500 for first place. Also magazine publication.
Details:   For unpublished short stories up to 8,000 words.
Contact:   John Gardner Fiction Contest, Harpur Palate, English Dept., Binghamton University, Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
Country:   United States
Website:   http://harpurpalate.blogspot.com/p/contests.html

Mslexia 2012 Women’s Short Story Competition
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   19th March 2012
Fees:   £10 for one entry.
Prizes:   £2,000 for first place. £500; £250.
Details:   For short stories up to 2,200 words, by women.
Contact:   Mslexia Publications Ltd, PO Box 656, Freepost NEA5566, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1BR
Country:   United Kingdom
Email:   shortstory@mslexia.co.uk
Website:   http://www.mslexia.co.uk/shop/scomp_enter.php

IF you can write…
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   9th April 2012
Fees:   $0 for one entry.
Prizes:   $500 for first place. Cash prizes for second and third place in both fiction and nonfiction categories.
Details:   We invite you to enter our inaugural competition. The contest is open to all, no fee required, with cash prizes in fiction and non-fiction categories. Entries will focus on one of the ideals expressed in Rudyard Kipling’s classic poem: If. Submit online at our web site. Winning submissions will be published in the magazine.
Country:   United States
Email:   susan.hawkins@AllThingsIf.org
Website:   http://www.allthingsif.org/if-you-can-write

Second Annual bosque Fiction Prize
Category:   Fiction
Closes:   31st March 2012
Fees:   $20 for one entry.
Prizes:   $1,000 for first place. Also magazine publication.
Details:   For short stories up to 5,000 words.
Contact:   ABQ Writers Co-op, 163 Sol del Oro, Corrales NM 87048
Country:   United States
Email:   contest@abqwriterscoop.com
Website:   http://abqwriterscoop.com/writingcontest.html

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA Via RWA

2012 THE SHEILA Contest
Sponsor: Valley Forge Romance Writers
Fee: $25.00 for all VFRW members; $30.00 for all non-VFRW members
Deadline: April 7, 2012, 11:59 p.m. EST
Eligibility: Participation is open to all RWA members, published and unpublished, who have not published a full-length novel (40K words or more) in the category entered at the time of the contest deadline (April 7, 2012) and within the past five years.
Entry: Electronic entries only. Total of 35 pages, including synopsis (not to exceed 5 pages)
Categories and Final Round Judges: Single Title Romance – Emilia Pisani, Gallery Books; Historical (short or long and Regencies) – Elizabeth Poteet, St. Martin’s Press; Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal – Leah Hultenschmidt, SourceBooks; Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements – Alex Logan, Grand Central; Romantic Suspense – Katherine Pelz, Berkeley; Young Adult – Wendy Loggia, Delcorte Press/RHCB.
Judging: Entrants will receive a detailed score sheet from four qualified judges including, whenever possible, at least one RWA PAN author. The lowest score will be dropped before determining the final score. The top five entries in each category will advance to the finals.
FMI, Jeannine Standen, Contest Chair, at contest@vfrw.com.

SCRIPT WRITING OPPORTUNITIES Via ISA:

LOOKING FOR LOW-BUDGET, FEATURE-LENGTH HORROR SCRIPT 
Rey Media is looking for a low-budget, feature-length horror script. Pay is negotiable. Send script in PDF format to David Rey at reymediallc@gmail.com for consideration. Thank you.

LOOKING FOR EXCELLENT SHORT SCRIPT
Looking for a short film script of any genre. Scripts already produced are welcome – we are looking to direct it our own way. This gig is not paid; credit only. Kindly send inquiries to Ravi Shankar at 21ravishankar@gmail.com. Thank you.

AUTHOR SEEKS SCREENWRITER FOR COLLABORATION
I am an published author looking to get my first feature length movie made. I am looking for a collaborator for a script in any genre. Please contact me and send writing samples to mentalllll@yahoo.com. Please put “writing sample” in the subject line of your e-mail. There will be no pay unless the movie is sold. We split everything 50/50. Now, let’s make a movie. Mr. Shannon L. Clements

DIRECTOR SEEKS SMALL BUDGET SHORT FOR MAY SHOOT
I am a film director hoping to make a small budget short film and am looking for a drama/thriller script that can be shot in the May. You will receive a credit, a copy of the film, and screening invitations. Please contact me thru my web site contact page at http://www.deanwayneevans.com/contact-dean-evans/.

NYFA STUDENT PRODUCER SEEKS SCREENPLAY FOR THESIS PROJECT
I’m producer who is looking for a drama, family drama, or thriller screenplay for my NYFA thesis. It will consist of a complete production package for a feature film. Please attached logline and synopsis at stefania.nyfa@gmail.com. This is not a paid gig.

PRODUCER SEEKS SCRIPTS TO SHOOT FOR PILOT PITCH
BKP Films is planning to film a TV series in Austin, TX.  We would like to read a synopsis of your script, any genre. If your script is accepted, we will shoot a pilot and will pitch the show to the networks. It will be a paying gig once we are in production. Please feel free to contact me at info@bkpfilms.com for more information. Looking forward to hear from you.

STUDENT FILMMAKER NEEDS SHORT SCRIPT ASAP
Hello, my name is Chris Stone and I am currently producing a final piece for my degree at the Northern Film School and due to complications we have had to drop our project that we had been working on and are now in a position where we need to have a new project ASAP to shoot in the next month. We have an amazing crew and a nice budget and we are requesting any scripts between 5-10 pages to be submitted for consideration. We need a finished script not a first draft. Obviously you will be consulted and have input on the film but it is a wonderful opportunity to get your script made. Please send inquiries to me at chrisstone.film@gmail.com. Payment is on a lo/no/deferred basis.

NEW REALITY WEB SERIES SEEKS WRITERS
Production company producing a new reality web series seeks aspiring writers, directors and/or producers to pitch their big ideas on camera to be judged by a panel of industry professionals. The best and most viable pitches will be selected and featured in their own episode. To submit yourself for consideration make a brief video introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about who you are, and what kind of stories you want to tell. Include one or more titles and loglines of ideas you would like to pitch. Feel free to include multiple ideas. We will accept video of any quality, webcam/iphone/smartphone is fine. Please do not make tapes, DVDs, etc. Send videos to thepitch.submissions@gmail.com or upload to Youtube/Viddler as a private video and send us the link. Please make the subject of the email “ATTN: PITCH SUBMISSIONS.” IMPORTANT: Include your name and contact information so we know how to reach you. Allow 4-6 weeks for us to review submissions and contact people for callbacks. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at dragondroppers@gmail.com.

LOOKING FOR KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE BASED SCREENWRITER
Looking for scriptwriters to develop a couple of scripts for feature films, tele-movies and documentaries. Requirements include: Prior experience in writing scripts for feature films is an advantage; Strong passion, creative, imaginative, enthusiasm are some of the characters that we need; Scripts you have done before; it is COMPULSORY that you are based in Kuala Lumpur & Singapore. Send your letter of enquiry to enquiry@anonymousproduction.com. This is a paid job, depending on experience and quality of your scripts.  Again, those who are not residing in Kuala Lumpur/Singapore, need not apply. More Info at http://anonymousproduction.com.

ACADEMY AWARD WINNING PRODUCER SEEKS EXPERIENCED WRITER
Academy-Award winning producer seeks experienced writer for inspirational new media company, SpiritClips.com. Must possess a mature perspective and be able to work in house. Primary responsibility will be writing short, inspirational scripts. Please take a look at our content and write a cover letter that describes why you are a good fit and supply one short (under 5 pages) writing sample. Please have at least one professional writer gig under your belt (does not have to be feature film). Pay is negotiable. Send cover letter, resume and writing sample to nare@spiritclips.com.

GETTING DAVID LYNCH WEIRD
Seeking talented and especially creative writers who would be interested in working with me on writing an upcoming feature-length film. I cannot stress enough the high level of creativity necessary for the job. I am a student filmmaker who is writing a screenplay to be shot by DSLR equipment and film crew. I am especially interested in working with other college students. This gig is not paid. Please send your expressions of interest and any questions to me (Joe Murphy) at jjmurphy239@aol.com. Thank you.

CREDITED PRODUCER SEEKS HYSTERICAL COMEDY SCREENPLAY
Currently seeking completed comedy screenplays (buddy, rom com, outrageous) featuring a leading role or strong supporting male role (25-33 years old). See IMDB Profile for Producer/Actor Matt Prater at http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1056990/. Must have completed budget to be considered. WGA rates apply. Please send log-lines only at this time to PraterPix@gmail.com. Thank you, Melinda Jeffries, Assistant – PraterPix.

NOVICE WRITER SEEKS HELP POLISHING SCRIPT
I am a novice writer wanting someone to look over my comedy-fantasy script to resolve any differences between my UK English and American English, to correctly format the script, and, if possible, find a producer. This is a non-paying gig, but I am willing to take on an interested partner, such details to be be determined. Send inquiries to Harry Higgs at harryhiggs123@hotmail.com. Thank you.

Please remember to check out legitimacy of all contests before you enter, and to copyright all your work.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

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