Unearthing New Stories: Flash Fiction Competition Celebrating Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
Archaeology is all about discovering Scotland’s stories so to celebrate the Year of Stories 2022, we’re looking for new flash fiction inspired by Scotland’s past.
Stories must be 250 words or less, written for adult readers and inspired by an archaeological site, artefact or discovery which can be found in an article on the Dig It! website. With over 100 articles written by archaeologists, curators, volunteers, academics and more, there’s plenty of options to dig into.
We’re accepting submissions in English, Gaelic and Scots (all dialects, including Doric, Shetland, Orcadian, Dundonian, etc.) from entrants based in Scotland who are 16 years or over. Stories may be submitted in more than one language/dialect, but it isn’t required.
We particularly encourage applications from Asian writers, LGBTQIA+ writers, non-binary writers, disabled writers, Arab writers, Black writers and writers from the African and/or Afro-Caribbean diaspora (including mixed-race/multiple-heritage). Marginalised communities have often been excluded from interpretations of the past and we want to showcase different perspectives on Scottish archaeology.
Looking for advice? The Scottish Book Trust has free articles and tips for writers.
PRIZE
Three winners will receive £250 each.
The winning stories will be published on the Dig It! website, as well as the biannual Society of Antiquaries of Scotland newsletter which is sent to over 2,500 Fellows (members) across the world.
JUDGING
Submissions will be judged by Alison Lang, Ashley Douglas, Mae Diansangu and Dr Simon Gilmour using a points-based system after entries have been long-listed by the Dig It! team to ensure that they meet the basic criteria (word limit, etc.). Judges will be looking for compelling and affecting original stories set in the past, present or future which inspire readers to learn more about the author’s chosen site, artefact or discovery.
Alison Lang is the Stiùiriche (Director) at Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (The Gaelic Books Council). Alison writes prose fiction and drama in both Gaelic and English. Her novels and short stories have been shortlisted for Saltire Society and Donald Meek awards and other work has been produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and broadcast on the BBC.
Ashley Douglas is a multilingual (English, Scots, German, Danish, Gaelic) researcher, writer and translator, specialising in the Scots language. Ashley has been involved in various award-winning Scots projects and translations, working with bodies including the National Library of Scotland, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Itchy Coo.
Mae Diansangu is an Aberdonian poet and performer who writes in both English and Doric. Mae’s Doric poetry has been featured on BBC Scotland’s Big Scottish Book Club and Radio 4’s Tongue and Talk.
Dr Simon Gilmour MA(Hons) PhD FSAScot MCIfA is the Director of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (who coordinate Dig It!). Simon has also been a Visiting Fellow of the University Campus Suffolk Business School, an Honorary Secretary and Vice President of Archaeology Scotland, and a Director and Vice Chair of the Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entrants will be limited to one entry each and the story must not have been previously published in print or online, been broadcast or won a prize. Entries can only be made by the author of the story. The maximum length is 250 words (not including the title). Corrections or alterations can’t be made after entries have been received and feedback can’t be provided by the Dig It! team or judges.
Winners will be contacted by email in March. If the winner(s) can’t be contacted after reasonable attempts have been made to do so, Dig It! reserves the right to offer the prize to the next best entry. The decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
We may publish the winning stories (and/or snippets) on social media, in a press release, in Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2022 and in our e-newsletter during 2022 with any other uses approved in writing by the author. Authors retain full worldwide copyright throughout and will be acknowledged appropriately.
Dig It! reserves the right to amend these details or cancel this competition at any stage, if deemed necessary and/or circumstances arise outside its control. In this event, a notice will be posted on the Dig It! website.
SUBMITTING A STORY
There is no entry fee. Stories should be typed in a plain legible font and sent to digit@socantscot.org by 11:59pm on Sunday 20 February 2022 in a doc, docx, txt or pdf file. Alternatively, video or audio submissions via YouTube or SoundCloud URL links sent to digit@socantscot.org by the same deadline will also be accepted. In your email, please tell us where in Scotland you’re based and include the title of your story and the name of the site, artefact or discovery which inspired your writing.
Dig It! will only ever use personal details for the purposes of administering and evaluating this competition and will delete personal information within a month of the competition’s end. If you’d like to have your details withdrawn earlier, please email digit@socantscot.org. For more information, please see Dig It!’s Privacy Policy.
Dig It! is coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (Charity No SC010440) and primarily funded by Historic Environment Scotland (Scottish Charity No SC045925).
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Photo by Eduardo Casajús Gorostiaga on Unsplash
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