Mitchelstown Literary Society this week announced the launch of the third annual William Trevor/Elizabeth Bowen International Short Story Competition which this year carries a prize fund of €4,500.

The society was founded to celebrate the lives and works of two of Ireland’s literary greats with Mitchelstown connections. The short story competition evolved as a natural adjunct to our annual literary festival and aims to provide a competitive outlet for new and emerging writers in the short story genre. The continued support of William Trevor includes sponsoring the very generous first prize of €3,000.

The preliminary adjudicators are both well-known short story writers and book reviewers. They will select a short list of approximately 25 stories to be passed on for final adjudication. 2nd prize is €500 and there are five runners-up prizes of €200 each to be won. Last year’s winner was Danielle McLaughlin from Donoughmore, Co Cork.

Details of rules, official entry form(s), payment methods etc. can be had by calling 025-84969; 086-8248736; by email – cusackliam@eircom.net or visit www.mitchelstownlit.com.

Entry fee is €20 per entry and the closing date for receipt of entries is last post on Friday, 5th April 2013.