There is just over a month left for young people to submit their entries for the 2012/13 Hall Caine Prize for Creative Writing.
 
The prize, which is in its third year, is open to students who are in full-time education in the Isle of Man. They are invited to pen a short story, a memoir or the opening chapter of a novel on the theme of ‘Journeys’.
 
Judges will look for strong characterisation, good narrative flow and, above all, imaginative story-telling.
 
The competition is sponsored by Gloria Rukeyser, who is a great granddaughter of celebrated Manx novelist Sir Hall Caine and lives at his historic home, Greeba Castle.
 
The prize has four categories: Primary, in which entrants must write up to 500 words, with prizes of ?100, ?75 and ?50; Key Stage 3 – up to 1000 words with prizes of ?150, ?100 and ?50; Key Stage 4 – up to 1500 words with prizes of ?175, ?125 and ?75 and Key Stage 5/IoM College of Further and Higher Education – up to 2000 words with prizes of ?200, ?150 and ?100. Up to 10 highly commended entrants in each category will receive prizes of ?20.
 
The closing date for entries is Friday 25th January 2013. All entries must be accompanied by an entry form and entries themselves must not contain identifying markers, such as the author’s name or school.
 
Entrants are advised to study the full rules, which are available in all schools/the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education, can be viewed at www.gov.im/education/hallcaine/ or can be obtained by contacting jo.overty@gov.im/686080. Entry forms can be downloaded via the same website or requested by phone or email or at the counter of the Department of Education and Children at Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas.
 
Headteachers Jill Gill (Ballacloan Infants) and David Jenkins (Dhoon Primary) will judge the primary entries. Representatives of secondary school and Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education English departments will judge the older age categories.
 
This year, for the first time, the competition is a validated Children’s University activity.