Val Wood Launches Creative Writing Competition

Award-winning author, Val Wood has sold over 1.5 million novels all with stories set in and around Hull.

The author hopes to inspire other budding writers and has teamed up for the second time with Hull Central Library, for Val Wood Creative Writing Competition 2015.

A launch event will be held at the Library on 25 July at 2pm. Entrants are invited to come along for tips on how to bring their ideas to life.

Published around the world by Transworld, Val has written twenty-one best-selling romantic and historical novels. She says:

“This is a great opportunity for creative writers to get their voices heard. All entrants must be aged 18 or over and will be asked to write a short story of their own creation, using Hull as the feature setting. It should be no more than 1000 words, it must include one of four Hull connections; Dead Bod, Holy Trinity, Hull Fair or Hull Paragon Interchange at some point in the main body of the story, not the title.”

Last year’s competition was outstanding and we discovered Hull has a lot of talented, unknown writers, that really shone through and made the competition difficult to judge. In the end we shortlisted entries from some incredible writers and I hope to do the same again this year.”

“We are experiencing a fantastic time in Hull. Winning the UK City of Culture bid has brought so much optimism and promise to the City. I have celebrated Hull’s remarkable heritage in my own novels and this competition is a great opportunity for others to make their mark.”

Michelle Alford, Library Services Director for Hull Culture and Leisure says:

“I am delighted that Val has chosen to work with Hull Libraries again this year. Val is a well-known and popular author and we are privileged that Hull Central Library is involved with her competition to inspire and promote local creativity. We would also like to thank the James Reckitt Library Trust for supporting the competition and the creative talent of Hull.”

As sponsors of the prize money, local wireless internet service provider, Quickline Communications have supported Val’s creative writing competitions for the last three years. The company’s Managing Director, Steve Jagger says:

“As a local firm, I feel it is very important for us to support creative initiatives, especially those promoting culture in Hull. We make a contribution to give the winners a financial reward for their efforts. Val is an inspirational lady and we are pleased to be a part of her creative writing competition.”

The winner of the competition will receive £100 and their entry will be published on Val’s website. The runner up will receive £50 and there will also be two commendations of £25. Cash prizes are donated by Quickline Communications and The James Reckitt Library Trust.

Full conditions of entry can be found on Val Wood’s website valeriewood.co.uk. The Val Wood Prize 2015 will be officially launched at Hull Central Library on 25 July 2015 at 2pm.