Cordell Mini Saga Competition 2010

Alexander Cordell loved writing and started off entering competitions - indeed he entered sections of Rape of the Fair Country for a South Wales Argus competition in 1957 - the book went on to be an international best seller.

The Alexander Cordell Literature Competition is now entering its 7th year - and it's changing. This year it will all be about creating a full story in just 50 words - a Mini Saga! You might well have a best selling story buzzing around your mind - and this is your opportunity to try it out!

There are 3 categories:

• Children 11 and under • Young people between 12 and 18 • Adults over 18

All age groups are to write about " Community " or " Unbelievable " - setting the story in South Wales over the last 200 years.

Entries are welcomed in English or Welsh and can be submitted electronically - see the entry details and the rules for more information.

Good luck - we look forward to reading your story set in South Wales. What is a Mini Saga?

A Mini Saga is a complete story within exactly 50 words - not 49 or 51 - but 50!!

The British Council has a great section on mini sagas as well as some amusing examples on their website - take a look!

Key advice on how to write a mini saga is:

1. Start by thinking of a story that you would like to write. Put it down on paper. 2. Shorten your story. Take out any words that are not absolutely necessary. How many words are there? 3. Now shorten your story again. How many words are there? At this point you may need to change words or sentences to make exactly 50 words. 4. Success!!!

1 2010 Prizes

Under 11s A day trip for the winner and his/her entire class (up to 30 children) to one of the following attractions including the hire of suitable coach (from school or Welsh border):

• Abergavenny Museum and Castle • Big Pit: National Coal Museum • Rhondda Heritage Park • The Winding House, New Tredegar • “The Works” Ebbw Vale when it opens Summer 2011 • Cefn Coed Colliery Museum

12 -18's A modern, e-book reader.

Over 18's Short break in Cordell Country for two people, staying at The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny visiting heritage attractions. Prize includes 1 night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast but NOT travel to Abergavenny.

How to enter?

It is really simple to enter:

1. Write your story - 50 words exactly & title (up to 10 words) 2. E mail to [email protected] or post to Kim Colebrook, 7 Gobannium Way, Ysbyty Fields, Abergavenny NP7 9JA. Mark your entry "Cordell Mini Saga" 3. Add you name, address, e mail address (if available) and age (if over 18). If under 18 please give include your school and class details, as well as your parent or guardian's details. 4. Ensure that your entry gets there by midnight on 30th September 2010.

The most important thing is to enjoy researching and writing your story - and I guarantee that we will enjoy reading it!

If you have any queries please contact Kim Colebrook at [email protected] or 078520 210106.

2 Mini Saga Rules

Entry

1. Entries must be the original, unpublished work of the author. 2. Entries must be exactly 50 words excluding the title. The title can be a maximum of 10 words. 3. Entries must be inspired by South Wales over the last 200 years and themed on " Community " or " Unbelievable ". 4. Entries can be submitted by e mail ([email protected] ) or hard copy (Kim Colebrook, 7 Gobannium Way, Ysbyty Fields, Abergavenny NP& 9JA). 5. Entries must arrive by midnight on 30th September 2010. 6. All entries must include the entrants name, address,e mail address (if available) and age - if under 18 years of age then details of parent or guardian should also be included, as well as details of school/college and class. 7. Age Groups - 11 and under - 11 years of age on or before 31st August 2011. 8. Age Groups - 12 - 18 - 18 years of age after 1st September 2010. 9. All entries are judged anonymously. 10. Entries are free. 11. No entries can be returned. 12. Entries will be acknowledged by e mail.

Judging

1. The competition deadline is midnight on 30th September 2010. 2. The winners will be decided by a panel of judges. Their decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into regarding that decision. The organisers reserve the right to not award prizes if suitable entries are not submitted. 3. Prizes do not include travel to South Wales. 4. The list of prize winners will be placed on the Cordell Country website www.cordellcountry.org . 5. Winners will be announced in November 2010 - winners will be personally notified. Winning entries will be published on www.cordellcountry.org and in other suitable local, tourist or travel media as appropriate.

Copyright will remain with the competitor, but the authors of the winning entries will grant Cordell Country the right to publish or broadcast their entry. Submission of an entry implies the competitor’s acceptance of the conditions detailed here.