25th RTÉ Radio 1 Short Story Competition, 2009

This year sees RTE Radio 1 celebrate the 25th anniversary of the RTE Radio 1 Short Story Competition - In Memory of Francis Mac Manus. The competition, which was founded to commemorate the writer and broadcaster, Francis Mac Manus, has been a source of encouragement and inspiration to thousands of new and emerging writers over the years.

Since its inception over 500 stories have been broadcast from the huge number of entries received with many of the authors going on to win acclaim in the publishing world in Ireland and abroad.

Prizes of €3,000, €2,000 and €1,000 will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd winning stories respectively. The winners and all of the shortlisted stories will be broadcast on RTE Radio 1.

The closing date for entries is Monday 26th October 2009.

Download the application form (pdf)

Download the application form (.doc)

Rules for the RTE Radio 1 Short Story Competition 2009 Download

1. In memory of the late Francis Mac Manus, writer and broadcaster, RTE Radio 1 announces the 25th annual radio short story competition known as the RTE Radio 1 Short Story Competition.

2. The competition is open to people born or normally resident in Ireland.

3. Only one entry per person is allowed.

4. Entries, in Irish or English, should be the original work of the author and should not have been previously published or broadcast.

5. Entries should be written for radio and should be within the range of 1,800 to 2,000 words. Scripts outside this word range will not be considered.

6. Entries should be double spaced and typewritten on one side of A4 paper. The author's name should not appear on the typescript but should be clearly written on the accompanying entry form. Faxed or e-mailed submissions are not acceptable.

7. The author is advised to retain a copy of his/her entry as RTE cannot return scripts.

8. Entries will be accepted from Monday, 29th June until the closing date Monday, 26th October 2009.

9. The decision of the judges is final and RTE cannot enter into any correspondence concerning the judging or merits of any entry.

10. The author of the overall winning story will receive €3,000. Prizes of €2,000 and €1,000 will be presented to the winners of the second and third winning stories, respectively.

11. RTE Radio will have the right to broadcast each of the winning stories and all of the shortlisted entries.

12. Results will be announced early in 2010.

13. Each submission - in an A4 envelope and accompanied by a completed entry form - should be sent to:

RTE Radio 1 Short Story Competition, RTE Radio Centre, Dublin 4