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4 Emirates Lit Fest 2017 Competitions For Writers in UAE

Emirates Lit Fest 2017 competitions return with opportunities for aspiring writers to kickstart their career. Deadlines are fast approaching!

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Emirates Lit Fest 2017 returns from March 3 to 12 2017 with over 90 first-time authors and a theme of ‘Journeys.’

Wait with bated breathe for renowned authors like Sana Amanat, the co-creator of Marvel’s Pakistani-American superhero, Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), entrepreneur Jo Malone, crime writer Kathy Reichs, and International television presenter Alan Titchmarsh.

With a swarm of author one-on-ones, talks and workshops, Emirates Lit Fest 2017 is set to outdo the previous edition by a mile.

Emirates Lit Fest 2o17 competitions are a particular highlight, since the Festival encourages reading during the month, but writing too. A stepping stone for many successful fiction and non-fiction writers in the region, this is meaningful platform to get your word in.

Happen to think you can pen the next great Arab novel? Take a look at the encouraging opportunities below.

You don’t have to be a pro, you just have to write:

1. Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition

Students, enter your short story submission for the Oxford University Press Story Writing competition. Theme for this year is ‘Journeys’. Hurry, the closing date is.. close.

Prize:

  • Winning entries appear in a published book
  • Trophy
  • Participate in a Festival session
  • Creative Writing Workshop

Who can participate: UAE Residents in full-time education

Ages: Up to 25 years of age

Language: Arabic or English

Closing date: November 20, 2016

For more info, click here.

2. Taaleem Award

Aspiring to be the next Wordsworth or Gibran? Then submit your poetry for the Taaleem Award competition and see your work published.

Prize:

  • Winning entries appear in a published book
  • Trophy
  • Participate in a Festival session
  • Creative Writing Workshop

Who can participate: UAE Residents in full-time education

Ages: Up to 25 years of age

Language: Arabic or English

Closing date: November 20, 2016

For more info, click here.

Don’t miss: 4 Fun Workshops to Get Rid of That Writer’s Block or 8 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Writing

3. Montegrappa Writing Prize

Submit 2000 words of your unpublished manuscript along with a 400-word synopsis of your story for a chance to become the next Montegrappa Writing Prize success story. 5 of their winners have already become international authors.

Prize:

The winner receives:

  • Trip to the London Book Fair
  • Montegrappa pen
  • 1 copy of the current Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook

Runners-up receive:

  • Montegrappa pen
  • 1 copy of the current Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook
  • Individual feedback session with international literary agent Luigi Bonomi

Who can participate: UAE Residents who do not have published novels

Ages: From age 21 and above

Language: English

Closing date:  January 19, 2017

For more info, click here.

4. #MyWritingRetreat Competition

NaNoWriMo is the best time to write. Share your favourite writing spot on the Emirates Literature Foundation’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page and you could win the #MyWritingRetreat competition.

Prize: A Montegrappa Pen

Who can participate: UAE Residents

Ages: From age 18 and above

Language: Arabic or English

Closing date: November 30, 2016

For more info, click here.

Like the above Emirates Lit Fest 2017 competitions? Which one are you entering?

Try these writing tips to get started.