Competition Rules

creative-wrting

Scarborough Writers’ Circle

Competition Rules  – Revised May 2025.

  1. Any Circle competition for which a trophy is awarded to the winner is open to members only.
  2. Entries should be freshly written for the competition or an old idea revamped and improved, and not previously published in whole or part. Only one entry is allowed per member unless otherwise stated.
  3. Entries must be typewritten using one side only on A4 paper.1½ line spacing is acceptable and margin sizes are optional.  (See note 1)
  4. Entries written on a computer should use Times New Roman or Arial in no less than 12pt font.  Plain text, not bold in the body of the manuscript.
  5. Entries should be grammatically accurate with correct spelling.
  6. The word count is usually 1,000 words and a maximum leeway of 100 words under or over is allowed. Sometimes there may be an alternative style of competition and the word allowance will be specified.
  7. Every page should be numbered and bear the title of the work.  The end should be clearly marked as such.
  8. Each entry should have a front sheet bearing the title, word count, number of pages, pseudonym and the intended market.  (See note 2)
  9. Entries must be anonymous.  The writer’s identity should be contained within a sealed envelope bearing the title of the manuscript ans the member’s pseudonym.  This should be attached to the manuscript using a paperclip.  Staples should never be used for any submission.
  10. Entries not received by the closing date will be disqualified.
  11. Judges, usually the winner from the previous year or a volunteer from within the Circle, are asked to comment on the general standard of the entries and indicate why the winning entry was chosen. They will be looking for the best manuscript/story, written for the intended market* and to the requirements of competition rules. If the judge considers it appropriate, runners-up may be nominated. However, the entries should otherwise be designated as being in a random, unclassified order when the results are announced.
  12. The winning entry will be read out on results day, whether or not its author is present.
  13. No AI (Artificial Intelligence) generated content is permitted. (For Circle competitions this will usually relate to text but is to be taken to apply to AI-generated content of any type.) This is because content generated in this way may not be original, accurate, or engaging. The Circle wants to encourage writing that comes from personal insights and original expression. If you are unsure whether your submission is AI-generated, please clarify or seek guidance. (See Note 3)

(The above also applies to any writing being shared at Circle meetings.)

Note 1: Postal submissions to newspaper/magazine editors should always be in double spacing and with generous margins unless an editor requests otherwise.  Email submissions should be in the format requested by the publication.

Note 2: The intended market* requirement is to encourage market study and writing for publication.

Please note that failing to follow submission guidelines when submitting your work to any potential market would result in disqualification. Publishers are busy people and will not read your work if you haven’t followed the submission guidelines.

Note 3: Use of AI spelling, punctuation, grammar checker and a basic ideas generator is allowed. An editing tool such as Grammarly or Pro-Writer is allowed as long as the content of a member’s competition entry remains their own words.