A piece of news we heard at last week’s AGM: Chawton House Library is sponsoring a short story competition to celebrate the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s arrival in Chawton.

The competition is looking for short stories of 2,000-2,500 words, inspired by any theme in Jane Austen’s novels, or by Chawton House. The stories can have a contemporary or historical setting. The call for entries says, “Anything goes as long as it is well written and you state on the entry form exactly what inspired you to write it.”

Chair of judges is Sarah Waters, bestselling author of Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith. First prize is £1,000, and there will be two runners’ up of £200 each. All three finalists will also win a week’s writers’ retreat at Chawton House. Fifteen other shortlisted authors will receive £40 plus publication in the winners’ anthology. The contest closes on 31 March 2009.

The entry form and more information is on the Chawton Library site. Good luck!