Deadline: 14 October 2011
This October, O, The Oprah Magazine (Twitter: @OMagazineSA) will contribute to the revival of the short-story genre by offering one aspirant writer the chance to see their work published in the February 2012 issue of O magazine and, in the selection process, have their writing read by esteemed local and international authors.
In what can only be described as a coup for the magazine, literary greats Dr. Maya Angelou (Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings) and Alexander McCall Smith (author of the prolific The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series) have come on board to choose the winner of O’s inaugural short-story competition. Dr. Angelou, whom Oprah calls her mentor-mother-sister-friend, is one of the greatest voices in contemporary literature. She has been awarded more than 30 honorary degrees. McCall Smith, a Scotland-based former professor of medical law, has written more than 50 books, including children’s books, short-story collections and five series. The most recent novel in his popular No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, was published earlier this year.
South African author and scriptwriter Lauren Beukes, 2011 winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke award for best science-fiction novel for Zoo City (Twitter: @laurenbeukes), and writer and columnist Ndumiso Ngcobo (Twitter: @NdumisoNgcobo) will represent the South African perspective. The multi-talented Ngcobo is a Sunday Times columnist, screenwriter, satirist and presenter on KZN’s East Coast Radio. The former high-school maths and science teacher is also the author of two essay collections, Some of My Best Friends Are White and Is It Coz I’m Black?
“Short stories are a great way for writers to hone their storytelling. It's wonderful to be involved with a competition that recognises new writers and how damnably tricky it is to write a compelling tale with a limited word count,” says Lauren Beukes. The Cape Town-based columnist is also the author of Moxyland.
The short-story genre is currently enjoying a resurrection, with events such as Short Story Day South, held in June this year, set to become an annual fixture on the local literary calendar.
“I believe each one of us has a story to tell, and I cannot wait to see what talent we are going to unearth. I sincerely hope we will draw out all ‘closet writers’ who feel they have a story within them. And the opportunity to have your work read by such an esteemed judging panel doesn’t come along every day, so this is one of those seize-the-day moments,” says Samantha Page, the editor of O.
Competition details are available in the October issue of O, which goes on sale on Monday, 19 September 2011. For more details, also visit www.oprahmag.co.za
More About the Competition
O’s first-ever short-story contest is designed to provide a platform for budding writers. Even though there will only be one ultimate winner, we’re encouraging aspirant authors to believe in themselves and try their hand at writing an inspired short story. If you think you can write, go on and enter. The prize? A published piece that will forever have your byline.
O will accept contributions from Wednesday, 14 September 2011, until 5 P.M. on Friday, 14 October 2011. The O magazine team will send a short list of stories to our esteemed judges, who will select the final winner. The winning short story will feature in the February 2012 issue, on sale from 16 January 2012.
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.oprahmag.co.za