The Awards are aimed at writers working towards their first full, published collections in poetry or short story. Both published and unpublished poets and short story writers are invited to submit between 6 and 10 poems or one short story per submission, with the only stipulation being that they have not yet published full collections.

The judging panel for The Mairtín Crawford Poetry Award will be headed by Mairtín's friend and contemporary, renowned poet Moyra Donaldson, whilst Belfast novelist and short story writer Jan Carson will guest judge the first Mairtín Crawford Short Story Award.

The deadline for submissions is midnight May 1st 2018.

All entries submitted can be on any subject, written in any style or form. Stories or poems written with children or young adults in mind are accepted but not recommended. Entries must be in English.

The winner of the each award will win receive a six month professional mentorship, with further prizes to be confirmed. The winners will also be invited to read live at a dedicated evening celebrating the Mairtín Crawford Award winners during the Belfast Book Festival 2018.

The winning writer’s mentors will support the winners with editorial advice, endeavour to help them achieve significant breakthroughs both creative and professional, and overcome many of the wide ranging challenges a working writer routinely faces. They will help the writer grow artistically, and develop professionally.

To make a submission you must:

• Pay a submission fee online or by calling the box office to receive your order number
• Submit your entry and quote your order number in the subject line of the email, or in the covering letter of a postal submission

To submit your fee today, click here: https://crescentarts.org/whats-on/mairtin-crawford-award-2018

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