MTP 2024 SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Rules
Please ensure you read these rules carefully before entering the competition.
Entry implies acceptance of all the rules and failure to comply may result in disqualification.
General
Short story: 3,000 words maximum, no minimum. The title is not included in the word count.
The competition is open to writers of any nationality writing in English
To be accepted, entries from any writer under 16 years old must be accompanied by a letter/email of agreement from a responsible adult that the entry is being made.
Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and by submitting you are confirming that the work is your own. Any evidence to the contrary will result in immediate disqualification.
Entries must not, at the time of entering, have won any other national or international competition prizes.
All entries are judged anonymously.
Entries may be in the following genres: Fiction, science fiction, flash fiction, non-fiction (e.g. biography, memoir, true story), children's.
Entrants may submit any number of stories.
Entrants may withdraw entries from the competition by notification in writing. Entry fees will not be refunded.
Entries will be disqualified if they exceed the word count.
Multiple entries are allowed.
Simultaneous entries allowed - entries may be submitted to other competitions in parallel with submitting to the MTP competition.
Entries open February 1, 2024.
The deadline date for entries is midnight (GMT+1, London) May 31, 2024.
Entry/Reading Fee
Earlybird Offer: £6 (GBP) for entries submitted and paid for by February 29, 2024.
Standard Fee: £8 (GBP) for each submitted short story.
The deadline payment date is midnight (GMT+1, London) June 7, 2024.
Entry Format
Online entries only.
Microsoft Word or similar readable format. No images. No tables. No charts. No footnotes. No endnotes.
Please do not include your name within the document.
Changes
Amendments cannot be made to entries after they have been submitted, nor substitutions made. If entrants wish to correct errors they must submit and pay for a new entry.
Receipt of Entries
Entries are confirmed by the email receipt of your payment and a confirmation email from MTP.
Contact Information / GDPR
Information provided at the time of entry may be subsequently used by MTP to keep the entrant updated regarding the products and services offered by MTP. This information will not be shared with third-parties.
Copyright
Worldwide copyright of each entry remains with the author. By entering you agree that MTP will have the unrestricted right to publish entries in its Anthology and on its website.
Judging
Entries will be judged based on the following criteria. Storyline, style, structure, tone, presentation.
The judges' decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries.
Judging is fair and unbiased. Experienced readers assist in selecting the shortlists.
Prizes
Announced July 1, 2024 on the MTP website and by email to the winning entrants.
First Prize: £1000 (GBP)
Second Prize: £500 (GBP)
Third Prize: £250 (GBP)
5 Runners-up Prizes of £50 (GBP)
Prizewinning stories will be published in the MTP 2024 Anthology (print book and ebook). The Anthology title will be based on the title of the winning entry.
Prize Claims
When claiming a prize, the prizewinning entrant will be required to provide their bank details plus their full legal name and address together with a valid tax ID from the country in which they are tax resident. (For example a National Insurance Number for a UK tax resident).
Payment will not be made unless these details are provided.
Prizes will be paid out by bank transfer only. MTP shall not be responsible for bank fees (or similar fees, including currency exchange fees) incurred.
Prizewinners shall account for any applicable taxes arising from prizes paid out.
Any prizes that remain unclaimed, as detailed above, by August 31, 2024 shall be forfeited.
MTP reserve the right to amend these rules where it is deemed necessary to do so.
Any changes to the rules will be posted on the MTP website.
In the unlikely event that the competition is cancelled entry/reading fees will be returned in full.