Q: What is The Allen Prize for Young Writers?
A: The Allen Prize for Young Writers is a not-for-profit company set up to reward, train and publish writers between ages 12-19 living in Trinidad & Tobago. The organization gives a series of annual prizes in junior and senior age categories.
Q: Is there an actual Allen Prize?
A: Yes. It includes cash awards, an intensive workshop, and publication of the winning entries.
The prizes are given for a body of work, not an individual piece. An entry will comprise:
- Junior category
Poetry: Three poems
Prose (fiction and non-fiction): One story of 750-3,500 words
Drama: A one-act play. Entrants must also include a character list, plot outline and setting. - Senior category
Poetry: Three poems
Prose (fiction and non-fiction): One story of 750-3,500 words
Drama: A one-act play. Entrants must also include a character list, plot outline and setting.
A: Young people aged 12-19 (inclusive) who live in Trinidad & Tobago.
Q: How do I submit an entry?
A: Entries may be sent by regular mail or hand delivered. Each submission must be accompanied by a signed entry form.
Q: What kind of writing can I submit?
A: The Allen Prize is given in fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and drama.
Q: What is the difference between prose fiction and creative non-fiction?
A: Prose fiction refers to a short story, chapter of a novel or excerpt from a large body of work such as a novel or novella.
Creative non-fiction is a prose narrative that uses literary techniques and language to describe and discuss events and circumstances that have really happened (i.e. are not invented). Can include memoir or biography, social or cultural commentary, reporting on current or historical events, and essays on people, places, or ideas.
Q: What is the deadline for submissions?
A: The deadline date for submissions is January 13, 2012.
Q: How many submissions can I send in?
A: You may submit no more than one entry to each genre, but you may enter submissions in as many genres as you wish each year. You may enter every year you qualify by age.
Q: Who judges the submissions?
A: A panel of judges will be appointed every year. They will be professional writers in each of the genres.
Q: What happens next?
A: The judges choose a short list of the best work in each genre. The entrants on the short list will be considered for the Prize.
Q: How do I know if I am short-listed for the Prize?
A: You will be contacted by phone or e-mail.
- If you are short-listed in poetry, you will be required to submit two (2) more poems.
- If you are short-listed in fiction or creative non-fiction, you will be required to submit one (1) more story in the same genre as your original submission.
