JANUARY 2008
Short story: Autograph hunter
The lengths your autograph hunter will go to in your story is up to you. You may choose to tell the story from the viewpoint of a friend or relative.

FEBRUARY 2008
Short story: Last line
In our annual competition, we invite you to write the story which leads up to the final line we provide. This year, that line is: He had aways thought that downsizing was a silly word.

MARCH 2008
Short story: Scrabble
Scrabble must play an important part in this story: is your hero or heroine unbeatable or does the game provoke a fierce argument?

Poetry: Sunrise
You have a maximum of 32 lines in which to write a poem that celebrates sunrise and the early hours of the day.

APRIL 2008
Short story: Loyalty
Loyalty can come in many forms – you decided who is loyal to whom (or what) and where their loyalty leads them.

MAY 2008
Short story: A new broom...
‘A new broom sweeps clean’ – it could be at work or at home but changes are certainly afoot...

JUNE 2008
Short story: First line
Every year we give you a first line for you to write the story which follows on from that line. This year’s first line is: The woman over the road was painting her front door green.

Poetry: Parenting or grandparenting
Having children – or grandchildren – is the theme to inspire you for this competition.

JULY 2008
Short story: Chess
Your story can be about a champion, a beginner – or even a cheat. How you interpret the theme is up to you...

AUGUST 2008
Short story: Summer sales
Real bargains, a waste of money, or perhaps a purchase or experience which leaves a lasting impression?

SEPTEMBER 2008
Short story: Old habits die hard
Can a leopard change its spots? Your hero or heroine might have a few surprises in store.

Poetry: Town or country
Do you prefer to live in the town or country? Here is your chance to express your views in verse.

OCTOBER 2008
Short story: Wine buff
Wine buff or wine bluff? Expert or con artist, your story will reveal all.

NOVEMBER 2008
Short story: Drink-drive
Your character is going to have to face the music and your story will tell us what happened.

DECEMBER 2008
Short story: Plain speaking
Your central chaacter has to be someone who speaks his or her mind – and you need to tell us about the consequences.

Poetry: One fine day
Puccini was born in 1858 so this year is his 150th anniversary. This competition invites poems based on one of his most famous arias, One Fine Day, from Madame Butterfly.

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