The stay-at-home order is taking longer than we expected and it is draining for self-employed people and those who just reared their heads out in the entrepreneurial path. For most of us, if not all, writing is so much of a side-job or a pastime. Now that you have some time in your hands, I think it is time to write furiously and aggressively. Start small writing projects or complete the ones which were placed on hold because of your tight schedule. Writing contests are one of such projects!

We often advise writers to draw up a reading and writing schedule for each month. Make a list of books you plan to read in the month of May. Stick them up the wall and go at it one at a time. Also, make a list of writing contests with deadlines coming up in the month of May and work towards entering as many as possible. As we often say, a writer who must make headlines in the literary world must know how to beat deadlines.

Instead of quibbling endlessly about the seeming grim situation of the pandemic, you can keep busy with preparing a piece for the following writing contests. Each of them has monetary rewards and hey… even if the money isn’t yours at the end of it all, you created something! And that alone is such a great reward for any artist

James Ene Henshaw Foundation (JEHF) ONE-ACT Playwriting Competition 2020

Scripts suited for both stage, film and TV are being accepted by the JEHF one-act Playwriting Competition, 2020.

The competition is open to Nigerian residents who are between the ages of 18- and 35-years Nigeria, for the best original one-act play.

Prizes:
1st – N50,000;
2nd – N35,000;
3rd – N20,000

Submission guidelines:
• One-act plays between 25 and 30 mins approx. 30 pages.
• Plays must involve a no more than four characters.
• Must be an original play, and not an adaptation.
• Submissions must be typed, double-spaced, single-sided, Times New Roman, font 12pt.

How to apply:
• Email script, brief synopsis and short biodata with your mobile no. and address to jehfcentre@outlook.com; and one hard copy to The James Ene Henshaw Foundation,
4 Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, Cross River State.

• All applicants will be notified by email of their entry’s safe arrival.
• Only shortlisted writers will be contacted on or about Friday, 7 August 2020.
• No correspondence will be entered into between the judges and applicants.

Deadline: Friday, 12th June 2020.


Essay Writing Competition in commemoration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s 55th Birthday celebration

The Foundation for Youth and Students Development calls for entries for an online essay competition in preparation for the 55th birthday of His Excellency *Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Honorable Minister of Transportation, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Topic: Covid-19 Outbreak and the Transportation Industry -Effects, Challenges and Prospects.

Eligibility:

Age: not more than 35 years as at 01-10-2020

Nationality: Nigerians (only)

Youth and Students at post-primary and tertiary institutions

NYSC Members are encouraged to participate.

PRIZE for Winners

1st Prize – 100,000 with a laptop PC

2nd Prize – 50,000 with laptop PC

3rd Prize – 30,000 with a Tablet PC

All Participants should indicate their:

Full names & Contact Phone Numbers

Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

Contact Address

Name of institution/school and Address, (if you are a student)

Course of Study/Department (if you are a student)

Matriculation Number (PG/Undergraduate)

NYSC Members (your name, state code and PPA)

Essays shall be in MS-word format and sent to submissions@chibuikerotimiamaechi.com

The essay should not be more than 1500 words.

Winners will be published on the website and other media outlets on 27-05 -2020.

Deadline: 14th May, 2020.

PIN Punchy Poetry, 2020

Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is delighted to announce the commencement of the 3rd edition of PIN Punchy Poetry.

PRIZES

The entries will be reviewed by our judges, with three winners selected and awarded thus:

1st Prize – N15,000

2nd Prize – N10,000

3rd Prize – N5,000

Viewers’ Choice Prize – N5,000 airtime

GUIDELINES

Upload a video of yourself reciting/performing a poem on your Instagram Page. Here is a sample video.

Follow and tag: @nigerianpoets

Use the hashtag – #pinpunchypoetry

DURATION:  50 – 60 seconds

Deadline: The contest is open to all irrespective of location, and closes on 20th May 2020.

Photo Credit: Christina Morillo, Pexels.com