What does ‘Beginnings’ mean to you? 

We’re delighted to announce that the SMHAFF Writing Competition is now open for 2018, with the theme ‘Beginnings’.

Now in its fifth year, the competition is held in partnership with Bipolar Scotland. It is open to all and allows people to enter work into five categories:

• Poems
• Short stories
• Diary/blog entries
• Letters
• Newspaper articles

The theme can be interpreted in any way you choose – the limit is your imagination. Winning and highly commended entries in each category will be honoured at an awards ceremony during the Festival in our new May dates (find out more here), with full details to be announced with the launch of the Festival programme in April.

Entries must be received no later than 5pm on Friday 30th March 2018.

Competition guidelines and the entry form are available here. Please make sure to read the guidelines carefully before submitting your work.

Last year’s shortlisted entries can be read in our eBook, designed and illustrated by Josie Vallely.