STRUGGLING AUTHORS

THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS, FOYLES AND ELLIOTT & THOMPSON JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH NATURE WRITING COMPETITION FOR UNPUBLISHED AUTHORS

The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) have teamed up with independent publisher Elliott & Thompson (E&T) and Foyles to launch a brand new writing competition for unpublished authors. The winner will see their entry published in Nature Tales: Encounters with Britain’s Wildlife, a beautiful anthology of British nature writing which E&T will publish later this year in partnership with TWT. From Gilbert White to Charles Darwin, from Robert Macfarlane to Kathleen Jamie, the book features some of the greatest nature writers of all time.

The competition invites previously unpublished authors to submit entries of up to 2,000 words describing a real-life personal encounter with wildlife by midnight on Sunday 18^th July 2010. The winner will be decided by a panel of judges, comprising Simon Barnes, renowned naturalist and writer; Michael Allen, Chairman of The Wildlife Trusts and co-author of Nature Tales; Mark Searle, Publisher at E&T; Adam Cormack, Communications Manager at TWT and Julia Kingsford, Head of Marketing at Foyles.

Michael Allen, Chairman of The Wildlife Trusts says:

‘The Wildlife Trusts are proud to support this new nature writing competition. At a time when the riches of nature writing seem to grow almost by the day, we are excited about seeking out new talent to publish in this anthology.

We are also very enthusiastic about Nature Tales itself; it has been an exciting and challenging task to help compile the extracts from such a distinguished tradition, and to be able to select from such a wealth of current writers in the field. We are looking forward to the book’s publication this autumn, and to finding some new talent to add to the many fine nature writers we already have here in the UK.’

Julia Kingsford of Foyles says:

‘Nature Tales promises to be a wonderful selection of the very best nature writing and we’re thrilled to be able to give our customers the opportunity to contribute their own work to sit alongside that of the greatest naturalists. ’

The winning entry will appear alongside contributions from both modern and historic naturalists, including Roger Deakin, Joseph Banks, Steve Backshall, Simon Barnes and Bill Oddie, when the book is published on 24^th September 2010.

For more information about the competition or the book, please contact Ellen Marshall at ellen@eandtbooks.com or on 020 7831 5013.

Notes to Editors:

1.      There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man & Alderney. The Wildlife Trusts are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. With nearly 800,000 members they are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species. www.wildlifetrusts.org

2.      Foyles are the leading independent bookseller in London, and were recently named UK Bookseller of the Year 2010. www.foyles.co.uk

3.      Full terms and conditions of the competition can be found at naturetales.co.uk

4.      Nature Tales will publish in hardback on 24^th September 2010 and will cost £18.99.

NIGHT PUBLISHING COMPETITION

What is the name of the Theatre Group that has been set up to write a collaborative novel on Night Reading (http:nightreading.ning.com)?”

We will send the first correct answer a copy of any book of their choosing as showcased on the Night Publishing site (http://www.nightpublishing.com

Closing date - Midnight 31st May 2010

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED