New media writing competition launches at Poole Literary Festival (From Bournemouth Echo)

New media writing competition launches at Poole Literary Festival

2:00pm Saturday 10th April 2010 in

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A NEW Media writing competition – the first of its kind in the country – has been launched as part of the prestigious Poole Literary Festival.

The prize, established in partnership with the Media School at Bournemouth University, will be one of the flagship events at the festival due to take place from October 29 to 31, and is expected to attract international interest.

Those taking part will have the chance to see their work showcased alongside that of a wealth of literary luminaries already lined up for the festival – including former children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo as patron, and writers Michael Rosen, Dorchester-based Minette Walters, Gervaise Phinn, Deborah Moggach and Mavis Cheek.

Entrants must compose an interactive piece for delivery on-line or via smart phone.

It can be any style or genre so long as it engages with the audience and demonstrates what new media can do that traditional media can’t.

Sue Luminati, founder and director of Poole Literary Festival, said: “This competition offers the chance for writers working in new media to showcase their work, raises awareness of the creative potential inherent in digital media and looks to the future of the written word.”

Michael Bhaskar, digital publishing manager at Profile Books and a member of the panel of judges, said the award was “breaking genuinely new ground”.

“As the first award of its kind globally it will be a landmark in the increasingly exciting arena of new media writing and I am thrilled to be involved,” he added.

Prize-winners, who will be announced at a special awards ceremony to be staged at Lighthouse, Poole, on October 31, will receive £250 and an Apple iPad.

Short-listed candidates’ work will be showcased at Poole Literary Festival.

For details visit Poole Literary Festival website at poolelitfest.com/new-media-prize.php