Submit For Read Foundation 2018 Writing Competition

READ Foundation has teamed up with prize-winning novelist and fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Qaisra Shahraz to launch this year’s contest.

The entry guidelines are simple: a poem, short story or first person essay on the theme of “My education helped me….”. This does not mean the writing has to start with this phrase, but this theme must be felt throughout the work. Submissions must be a maximum of 500 words and should be received before midnight on 10th October 2018.

“We know how important education is in a young person’s life. Which is why we want entrants to help inspire the next generation of creatives by telling them all about the role education played in their own lives. We’re open to entries from all walks of life and abilities, so you don’t need to be a professional to enter: simply write from the heart.”

The winning entry will be displayed in hundreds of READ Foundation schools to inspire today’s students. It will also be published on READ Foundation’s website. The winner and two runners up will also receive feedback on their work from Ms Shahraz.

Eligibility Guidelines

• All entries must be written in English. Entries cannot contain any swear words, adult themes, defamatory language or any unlawful material.
• All entries must be original works of the entrant. They must not infringe on any copyright rules and regulations.
• All entrants must be aged 18 or older and living in the UK.
• One entry per person.

Submission Guidelines

• All entries must be submitted through the form at the bottom of this page. Submissions cannot be accepted by post.All entries should be in a Microsoft Word document with a word count written at the bottom.
• Your name and contact details must be clearly displayed at the top of your submission.
• All entries must be in keeping with the “My education helped me….” theme and suitable for a young audience. Any entries not within keeping of these two rules will automatically be disqualified.
• Each entrant must be willing to provide their full name, address and email to READ Foundation. From time to time, we may use this information to contact you about our work.

Selection Process

• A team of readers from READ Foundation will consider all submissions and compile a shortlist.
• The shortlisted entries will be provided to competition judge Qaisra Shahraz.
• Ms Shahraz will select the winning entry and two runners up.
• The judge’s decision is final. There will be no appeal process or correspondence/negotiation regarding the results.

Publicity

• The winner will be announced on Saturday, 13th October via READ’s social media channels.
• By entering into the competition, the winner hereby agrees to their name, photograph, town/city and writing being used in promotional materials. This includes having their picture and entry on the READ Foundation website and these details being sent to regional press. Your full address and contact number will NOT be published in any public domain.
• Every entrant will retain copyright to their work. However, by entering the contest the winner gives READ Foundation the rights to publish their work on the charity’s website, have it displayed in READ Foundation schools across Pakistan and share it with third parties, such as on social media and in regional press.