…because there are a couple of writing competitions coming up–with publication as your reward.

Chawton Library is following up on its successful short-story competition in 2009, published as Dancing with Mr. Darcy (we have a copy and will be reviewing it VERY soon), with another competition to be published in another anthology. 2,000-2,500 words, and the concentration will be on “heroes and villains,” so get to it! (I guess I can’t send in the League of Austen’s Extraordinary Gentlemen? Probably not.)

We heard about another contest with anthology publication called Bad Austen, in which you will submit a selection of no more than 800 words badly imitating Jane, in the style of the Bulwer-Lytton and other bad-writing contests. We could point out that the presses are already groaning with plenty of Bad Austen, but that wouldn’t be sporting. 😉

There will also be a competition to choose a story for the upcoming anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It, edited by our pal Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose. That contest will be conducted in conjunction with the Republic of Pemberley, and we’re sure details are forthcoming! (We haven’t seen an announcement yet–so as far as we know it hasn’t yet begun, but please correct us if we are wrong.)