Saveas Writers' International Writing Competition 2021

Horizons

2021 marks the centenary of T S Eliot’s visit to Margate, where he wrote part of The Waste Land while looking out on the sea from the Nayland Rock shelter.

To celebrate Eliot, his work and the views from our coastline, SaveAs Writers launch their annual international creative writing competition, this year asking for poems and short stories on the theme of Horizons. The theme can be literal, figurative, a celebration of views, a reflection on Eliot and his work (The Waste Land itself opened new horizons in poetry) or a broader take on the theme.

Results:

Poetry

First place: The Canterbury Christ Church University Poetry Prize of £200 won by Michaela Coplen with 'Rings' 

Second place: Sacramental - David Butler 

Third place: As the cycle comes to an end - Julia Stothard

Judges report

Prose

First place: The University of Kent Fiction Prize of £200 won by Monica Corish with 'Acacia Horizon'

Second place: Frances Gapper – Lawn

Third place: Geralyn Pinto - This Telephone Number Does Not Exist

Judges report

Poetry shortlist

1. Sacramental - David Butler 
2. Rings - Michaela Coplen 
3. Notes addressed to the person who received my ex's heart - Sophie Dumont 
4. The Crescent - Mike Farren 
5. Me (Autistic and Unsociable) Dating a Neurotypical - Naoise Gale 
6. The Horizontal Sonnet - John Gallas 
7. The Deadline - Lauren Barri Holstein 
8. incaendo - Mara Adamitz SCrupe 
9. As the cycle comes to an end - Julia Stothard

Poetry longlist

1. What Do I Know? - Andrew Ball
2. The Mersey - Maria Isakova-Bennett
3. Sacramental - David Butler
   
4. Out of Season - Alan Coombe
5. Rings - Michaela Coplen
   
6. Notes addressed to the person who received my ex's heart - Sophie Dumont
7. The Crescent - Mike Farren
   
8. Me (Autistic and Unsociable) Dating a Neurotypical - Naoise Gale
9. The Horizontal Sonnet - John Gallas
10. Salt Air - Nicola Hester
11. The Deadline - Lauren Barri Holstein
12. Queen of the Dance - Lauren Barri Holstein
13. From the boundary - Diane Jackman
14. Gull on a lamppost - Caroline Johnstone
15. Other Beaches - Mark Kirkbride
16. U: - Samuel Lawrenson
17. Apollo 2060 - Lizzy Lister
18. Knit Two Together - Christine Lowes
19. Crab rave - Tessa Milligan
20. Fata Morgana - Max Mulgrew
21. Flotsam - Greta Ross
22. incaendo - Mara Adamitz SCrupe
23. 29th floor, Sheepcote St - William Allen Sharp
24. Winter Sun, London - William Allen sharp
25. As the cycle comes to an end - Julia Stothard
26. I am Lil - Jane Turner
27. Rhosili - David Walrond

Prose shortlist

1. Monica Corish - Acacia Horizon
2. Frances Gapper – Lawn
3. Felicia Henderson - Head in the Clouds
   
4. Anthony Levings - The Noises Inside of Us
5. Tadhg McCullough – Tidal
6. Nina Milton - Clean Round the Bend
7. Geralyn Pinto - This Telephone Number Does Not Exist
8. Diana Powell - His Horizons Became My Horizons
9. Catriona Shine - Christening
10. Gordon Simms - The Track to Maputo

Prose longlist

1. Colin Brezick - All That Remains 
2. David Butler- The Rescue Dog 
3. Monica Corish - Acacia Horizon
   
4. Paul Ellams - The Burning of Bobby 
5. Lucy Francis - The Musician 
6. Frances Gapper – Lawn
   
7. Felicia Henderson - Head in the Clouds 
8. Anthony Levings - The Noises Inside of Us
   
9. Robert Lumley- Tour d'Horizon 
10. Duncan MacKay – Footfalls 
11. Tadhg McCullough- Tidal 
12. David Micklem- The Tide 
13. Nina Milton - Clean Round the Bend
    
14. Nina Milton – Suspension 
15. Geralyn Pinto - This Telephone Number Does Not Exist
    
16. Diana Powell - His Horizons Became My Horizons 
17. Brian Sheehan- Lost Cities of the Incas 
18. Catriona Shine- Christening 
19. Catriona Shine- Beyond the Low Wall 
20. Gordon Simms - The Track to Maputo 
21. Don J Taylor - Triangles 
22. Josie Turner - Merry Maidens 
23. Marion Grace Woolley - The Far Distance 

Prizes

Poetry

Winner: The Canterbury Christ Church University Poetry Prize of £200

Second place: £100

Third place: £50

Judged by Eleanor Perry

Max word count: 60 lines max.

Prose

Winner: The University of Kent Fiction Prize of £200

Second place: £100

Third place: £50

Judged by Amy Sackville

Max word count: 3500 words max.

Entry fees

£3 per poem £8 for three

£4 per short story £10 for three

Deadline

August 31st 2021 (NOW CLOSED)

Terms and conditions