It’s not too late to enter our contest for a writer’s prize worth £500 – a week at the Writers’ Summer School in Swanwick, Derbyshire.
As reported in November, we’re offering the Deric Longden Swanwick Memorial Prize to mark the life and work of the man who wrote Diana’s Story and Lost for Words – books that deal gently and humorously with the problems of disability. Deric (pictured) died last year, aged 76.
The prize will be awarded to a writer who is also a carer and who – like Deric – has a witty way with words. Contestants should be fulfilling the role of carer to a friend or relative for love rather than financial reward.
We’re looking for humorous entries of around 500 words in length (roughly two pages of A4) which can be in any style so long as they are entertaining. Entries should reach us by the beginning of May and the week away will start on August 9.
Before you embark on your entry, please read the competition rules, which appeared on page 5 of the Winter 2013 issue of ME Essential, or email tony@meassociation.org.uk for a copy.
Deric's widow Aileen Armitage and Diana Wimbs, from the Swanwick Writers' Summer School, were both interviewed about the competition on BBC Radio Derbshire on February 19. To listen to the interview, please click on the following link www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01qf6ly The interviews start at about 2hrs 12mins in.