Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition Spring 2023

We’re delighted to announce our first ever short story competition!
Ironclad Creative CIC exists to support writers and theatre-makers, with training, networking and chances to showcase their work. 

The Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition is for both published and unpublished writers. We’re looking for original writing in English and you can be from anywhere in the world.
We are looking for short stories - any theme. We accept any length of story up to 6k words. We’re looking for writers who have exciting voices and can move us - that can happen in any genre of prose. 
We’re not accepting plays or poetry for this competition. ​

Entry:  
£6 per submission

DATES:
Open for entries 1st Nov 2022
​Closed for entries midnight (UK time) 31st March 2023
Anthology Published May 2023

PRIZES:
The winning writer will be offered a prize of £100 and publication in the anthology. 
The second place writer will be offered a prize of £50 and publication in the anthology.
Two further shortlisted writers will be offered prizes of £25 each, and publication in the anthology.
Up to 10 other longlisted writers will be offered publication in the anthology (depending on the length of the winning, second place and shortlisted stories) 

Please read the eligibility criteria terms and conditions before you enter.

HOW TO ENTER 
 
1. When you’re ready to submit your short story, make sure you remove your name from the Word or PDF, so that we can judge it anonymously.  

2. Head to our PAYPAL page and pay your £6 per entry.  paypal.me/ironcladcreative
ENSURE you include your NAME and the TITLE OF THE STORY in the reference details 
Depending on your device you will see a note on PayPal saying:
‘What is this payment for’ OR ‘add a message’
Make sure you provide your: NAME and TITLE OF THE STORY 

3. Email your entry to admin@ironcladcreative.org including your NAME and TITLE OF THE STORY in your email subject line.  

4. Attach your story in Word or PDF to your email.    

5. If you’re submitting more than one story - pay £6 per entry. Include your name and ONE title in the reference & email subject line. Then ensure you make clear in your email what the title of the multiple entries are AND let us know the total amount you paid via PayPal.  

6. We are a TINY team, we’ll log your entry and ensure it matches up with the payment we’ve received. Once this is done we’ll email you and CONFIRM you’ve been entered into the competition. This can take up to FIVE DAYS please bear with us. 

7. We have a small number of FREE places available for low income writers. Please email Michelle [at] ironcladcreative.org to request this but don’t send your work - if we have places left on our sponsored entry route, we’ll let you know how to apply. We provide these on a trust basis - you won’t need to give us proof. 

8. If you have any questions before submit your work, email Michelle [at] ironcladcreative.org and we’ll aim to get back to you within five days - if our turnaround time effects you meeting the deadline, we’ll make sure we log your entry from the date of your first enquiry. 

9. Submit your payment and work before midnight (UK time) on 31st March 2023. 

10. Make sure you’ve read the terms and conditions before entry.