South Essex College launches creative writing challenge

South Essex College is launching a creative writing challenge to encourage people to showcase their talents during this unprecedented time.

Titled  ‘When the Streets Fell Empty’, the competition aims to explore the power of the written word while getting individual snapshots of life in these challenging times.

The competition is not just open to South Essex College students, but the wider community too. There are four categories of entry: Primary, Secondary, 16-19, and 19 plus. Entrants can submit a poem, a paragraph, a letter, a song, or a story.

The college wants to hear about your perception of life during this period of change and uncertainty. You could write about the impact on you, your community, food supply, the environment, how you feel or about something that has moved you. 

They’ve got some great judges including local authors Hollie Hughes and Greg Fidgeon.

Prizes for each category include a £100 Amazon voucher, plus the chance to showcase your work on the big screen at The Forum in Southend (later in the year).

Joanne Styles, Head of English, Maths and Education at the college said:

“We are living through a time that most of us have never experienced before. The power of the written word is immense. It can be used to capture emotions, document points in history or you can write for your own fun and amusement. We hope this writing challenge will engage the minds of both our students and the wider community.”

You can read the full terms of entry and submit your piece at www.southessex.ac.uk/creative-writing-challenge-2020

Competition closes at 5pm on Friday 29 May