Writing Prize

A K Bell Library,
York Place,
Perth PH2 8EP
t: +44 (0)1738 477062
e:Local Studies

The Soutar House,
27 Wilson Street,
Perth PH2 0EX
t: +44 (0)1738 643687

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William Soutar Writing Prize 2013

Competition Details

This is an annual competition held in honour of Perth’s greatest poet. Now in its twelfth year, it attracts writers from across the globe, as far afield as India and South Africa. It alternates between poetry and short stories; for 2013, poems may be entered. Previous winners of this prestigious competition have gone on to enjoy further success including having their work published. Entry is free and open to anyone in the world over the age of 16, but individuals are limited to two poems.

Judge

This year’s judge is Brian Johnstone who is a Scottish poet. His work has appeared throughout Scotland, the UK, in America and in various European countries.

He has published five collections to date, his latest being The Book of Belongings (Arc, 2009), and his poems have been translated into more than 10 different languages.

Brian is a founder and former Festival Director of StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, and he has appeared at numerous international poetry festivals.

First Prize

An Arvon Writing course at Moniack Mhor (for which the normal fee would be approximately £600), or another of the UK Arvon Centres. The winner will be announced on Writers’ Day, Saturday 31st August 2013, at the AK Bell Library Perth.

Second Prize

£100 Book Tokens.

Local Prize

A local prize of £50 will also be awarded for the best work from a resident of Perth and Kinross.

Competition Rules

• The deadline for all entries is Tuesday 2nd July 2013.
• All entrants must be 16 years of age or over.
• Poems must not exceed 40 lines.
• A maximum of two poems may be submitted.
• All entries must be typed or word processed, on one side of the paper only.
• Two copies of each poem submitted must be provided.
• Entries may be in English or Scots.
• The competition is open to anyone throughout and outside the United Kingdom.
• All entries are judged anonymously and the name of the writer must not appear on the manuscript.
• Poems must not have been previously published.
• Competition entries cannot be returned - please do not include a pre-paid envelope.
• The Judge’s decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.
• Alterations cannot be made to poems once they have been submitted.
• Entries must be accompanied by an entry form (download below).
• There is no entry fee for this competition.
• Local entries (writers living in Perthshire at time of entry) can also be additionally entered for the local Soutar prize. They should tick the local box on the entry form.
• It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that the above rules are adhered to.

Failure to comply with the above rules will result in disqualification from the competition.

Additional Notes

• A shortlist of six will be announced on the PKC Library website by 19 August, 2013.
• The winner(s) will be notified a few days before the formal announcement on 31 August 2013.
• Unsuccessful entrants will not be individually notified.
• If a local entrant wins one of the main prizes, they will not also be eligible for the local prize.
• The winning names will be posted on the PKC Library website.
• The writers of the winning stories grant Perth and Kinross Libraries and Information Services the right to use the stories in publicity material for one year from 31 August 2013.
• The copyright of each story remains with the author.

Entry Forms

You may download the entry form in either Word or pdf format by clicking the appropriate icon.

William Soutar Writing Prize 2012

Prize Winners

Announced at the Writers' Day on 25th August 2012:

1st Prize
Tea at the Ritz	Diane Chorley
2nd Prize
When Mozart steyed the nicht in Methil	John Brewster
Local Prize
Fox's Cabin	Joanne Bales
Commended
Outlawed	Robin H. Rodger
Surgery	J.K. Fox
Annie's Tale	Elizabeth M. Taylor
Bonny Peggy Alison	Mary Johnston
Thon muckle bonnet	Elizabeth M. Taylor

William Soutar Writing Prize 2011

Prize Winners

Announced at the Writers' Day on 26th March 2011:

1st Prize
am aa din	John Brewster
2nd Prize
Saddam Hussein’s Overbite Speaks Out	Josh Ekroy
3rd Prize (and Local Prize)
Joint winners:
Scenario	Irene Evans
What Part of No…?	Heather Reid
Commended
Wilfred Owen’s Last Letter	Roy Marshall
In Bed He Smells Like a Butcher	Heather Reid
East Neuk Storm	Vicky Paine
Mouche Volante	Sharon Black
Mad person in your temple	Deborah Trayhurn