KENMARE CONNECTED
SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Submissions open 7 April 2025

“Your stories, your thoughts, your pictures”
“Our yesterdays, today, and tomorrows.”

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• Competition open to everyone 18 years and older

• Stories must be between 500-1500 words

• Submissions open 7 April and close 30 May

• Submission fee is €10

 

Terms and Conditions for the Short Story Competition

The Kenmare Chronicle and the Kenmare Arts Festival warmly invite everyone connected to Kenmare to take part in our Short Story Competition. Share what Kenmare means to you by writing a story inspired by the theme: “Our yesterdays, today, and tomorrows.”

Entries may optionally include a related photograph.

 

Submission period: Opens 7 April 2025 and closes on 30 May 2025.
Shortlist announcement: 11 July 2025
Celebration event: During the Kenmare Arts Festival, August 2025

 

Writing Categories:

• Your stories must be between 500-1500 words

Prizes: There will be three prizes - Winner €400, Second place €200 and Third place €100. A shortlist of 18-20 stories will be published in an anthology, to be launched during the festival. Authors may choose to remain anonymous if requested.

For writers currently living in Kenmare who are from other countries, submissions can be in another language as long as an English translation is provided.

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Entry Submission Guidelines

1. Eligibility:

   • Open to everyone aged 18 years and older.

   • Submissions must be in English (except as noted above with translations).

   • Stories, though they may be based on real events, should reflect personal thoughts and interpretations.

2. Originality:

   • Entries must be original, unpublished works.

   • AI-generated stories are not permitted.

3. Format:

   • Submissions must be provided as a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx).

   • Accompanying visual elements (photos, drawings, or paintings) are encouraged but optional.

4. Submission Methods:

   • Email: Send your entry to millcovegallery@gmail.com and follow payment link.

   • Postal or By Hand: Each story must be printed on a separate sheet without the author's name. Include your contact details on the official entry form. Send entries to:
     KENMARE Connected, Mill Cove Gallery, 21 Main Street, Kenmare, Co. Kerry V93 KW68, with submission fee.

5. Entry Form:

   • The official entry form must include the author’s full name, address, email, and phone number.

   • Online entry forms will be available on the festival website.

6. Deadline:

   • All entries must be received by 30 May 2025.

   • Late submissions will not be considered.

Judging and Results

• Anonymous Judging: All entries will be anonymized before being presented to the judging panel.

• Finality of Decision: The judges' decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their verdicts.

• Notification: Winners and shortlisted writers will be notified via email or text. Results will also be published on the festival website: www.kenmareartsfestival.com/home.

Prizes and Publication

• Recognition: Winning and commended stories will be celebrated at a public reading event during the Kenmare Arts Festival at the Carnegie Arts Centre, Kenmare.

• Publication: Selected stories, including category winners, will be published in a printed anthology. Submission of an entry grants The Kenmare Chronicle permission to include the work in the anthology and related public readings or online features.

• Anonymity Option: Stories may be published anonymously if the author requests.

• Copyright: Copyright remains with the author. However, by entering, participants grant The Kenmare Chronicle a non-exclusive license to publish and publicly present the submitted work in connection with the competition.

Data Protection

• Personal information, including name, address, and email, will be processed following applicable data protection laws.

• By entering the competition, participants agree to be contacted regarding the results.

Additional Notes

• Retention of Entries: Submissions will not be returned. Please retain a copy of your work.

• Publication Timeline: Submissions will be made from 7 April to 30 May 2025, followed by editing, arrangement, and publication of the anthology in time for the Kenmare Arts Festival 2025.

We look forward to reading your stories and celebrating your creativity!

For inquiries, please contact us at: millcovegallery@gmail.com