YOUNG crime writers in the Isle of Man are being invited to enter a competition run by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA).
The CWA - which represents the interests of published crime writers - and library authorities throughout the British Isles have organised the competition which is open to writers aged up to 18 (born on or after September 1, 1992).
Stories should be submitted between January 10 and February 18 2011 and there is a word limit of 1,000 words.
They must be entered through participating libraries where more detailed information about the competition is available.
The entries will be judged by members of the CWA and local winners will be considered for the national prize to be announced during National Crime Writing Week, which starts on June 13.
The competition is sponsored by Crimefest, Britain’s international crime fiction convention.
This is the second year that the CWA Young Crime Writers' Competition has been run.
Last year's shortlisted winners in the Isle of Man were all invited to the Mannslaughter and Mayhem event at the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin where they met published crime writers Stuart MacBride, Donna Moore and Allan Guthrie.
The 2010 winner of the Isle of Man leg of the competition was Alison Ogden.
Alison's winning story Dead End has been included in Tails For All Seasons volume three, a recently published anthology of Manx Stories edited by Linda Mann and published by Priory Press.
The local CWA co-ordinator of the competition is Chris Ewan who is the author of the Good Thief's Guide series of mystery novels which have been published in 10 countries around the world.
Chris' latest publications are The Good Thief's Guide To Vegas and The Art of Negotiation, a short story featured in Original Sins - a Crime Writers' Association Anthology - alongside fellow CWA authors such as Simon Brett, Ann Cleeves, Martin Edwards, Christopher Fowler, Sophie Hannah, Reginald Hill and Andrew Taylor.
CWA Chairman Tom Harper said: "Many of the UK's biggest crime writers got the bug from books they read as children, whether it was Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, the Famous Five or Alex Rider.
"For the second year running, the Young Crime Writers Competition gives budding authors the chance to dive into a world of suspense, mystery, excitement - and fun.”
Chris Ewan said: "Last year's short stories from young writers on the Isle of Man were of a very high standard and an absolute pleasure to read.
"I'm excited to see what our talented young writers come up with this year. The competition is a real opportunity for aspiring young writers, as evidenced by the recent publication of last year's winning story by Alison Ogden."
Jan Macartney from the Henry Bloom Noble Library in Douglas said: "The public libraries across the Island were very pleased to support this initiative last year.
"I had the enviable task of being on the judging panel in 2010 as the calibre of the entries was exceptionally high.
"I hope even more young people grab the opportunity to enter this year's competition and knock the judges dead with their stories."
