Applications are invited for the GEMA International Short Story Writing Competition 2023. The last date of participation is April 16, 2023.
About the Competition
They help new talent go pro, award life-changing opportunities of being a published writer to book paperback and e-books to be sold globally in 150+ countries, and promote student authors worldwide. If you are less than or equal to 18 years of age, you can write a wonderful story and enter the contest. GEMA chooses the winners on the basis of originality, characterization, plot, theme, setting & atmosphere, mechanics, writing quality, and passion.
Eligibility Criteria
- The contest is open to young people all over the world.
- The contest will be in four categories:
- Sub-junior (7-8 years),
- Junior (9-11 years),
- Middle (12-14 years),
- Senior (15-18 years).
Categories
- Only one entry is accepted per person.
- The minimum required length of the story is as follows:
- Sub-junior (7-8 years) – 300 words min,
- Junior (9-11 years) – 500 words min,
- Middle (12-14 years) – 700 words min,
- Senior(15-18 years) – 1000 words min.
- The upper limit can only be up to 1500 words in all categories.
Contest Rules
- Entry (publication) Fee of INR 500: Winners will be eligible for a Trophy along with the $100 worth of GEMA’s Signature Training Program: Budding Author, Kidzania Passes, certificate, and publication.
- All winning and highly commended stories will be published on the website.
- The story has to be written in English.
- The theme/genre/topic of the short story is your choice.
- Illustrations, Drawings, photos, or any other graphics are not allowed.
- Proof of age is required (scan or take a photo of your birth certificate/identity card/certificate from school/health record/school record).
- Send your story and the proof of age as attachments in a form where you will submit your story.
- Any entry that is not accompanied by proof of age will be automatically disqualified.
- The story should be the original, unpublished contribution of the person who is participating in the competition. Any story that is fully or partially copied from any other source will not be accepted. Each entry will be subjected to a complete plagiarism check.
- Type your story using Microsoft Word, and use Times New Roman or Arial 12-point regular font. You may use italics or bold for effect, but do not use them frequently.
- All winning and highly commended stories may not be published elsewhere without permission from GEMA.
- The judges’ decision will be final.
- Stories will be judged on the basis of content, language, and style of writing.
- Please use the same email id for uploading the story which you used in the Registration form and Payment Page.
Prizes
- The top 20 Stories will be Published in Children’s Story Books, both as Paperback and Ebook. The book is sold in over 30,000 stores across 150+ countries and popular E-commerce stores like Amazon. The top 50 Stories will be published on the website.
- There are 3 Winners in each Category. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Trophies. Winners will get Trophies, Medals, Certificates, GEMA’s Signature 1 Month Story Writing Training Course: ‘Budding Author’ worth $100, and Kidzania Passes.
- There is a School Level Winner from each school where there are a minimum of 50 participants. Winners will get a Gold Medal, $100 worth of GEMA’s Signature Training Program: Budding Author for 1 month, a certificate, and story publication on the website and quarterly newsletter sent to over 6000 schools worldwide.
- Every Participant will get a 1-month Signature Training Course of GEMA, ‘Budding Author: Creative Writing Program for Kids worth $100’. You can get more details about this course here: Budding Author.
- Every Participant will get a Certificate.
How to Submit?
Interested participants can submit their entries here.
Submission Deadline
April 16, 2023.
