Battle Tales VI returns with New Brunswick author Chuck Bowie as judge

Get pens, typing fingers or Dictaphones ready because Battle Tales VI kicks off Jan. 17.

This writing contest, started in 2016 by the P.E.I. Writers’ Guild, is a chance to participate in a low-stakes, high fun environment. This year’s judge is New Brunswick author Chuck Bowie, and entries will be received Jan. 17-24.

“Battle Tales started because we wanted to bring back the fun element of participating in writing contests,” says Mo Duffy Cobb, P.E.I. Writers’ Guild executive director.

“Often, these contests can be stressful – there’s entry fees involved, the anxiety about meeting all the requirements and the unease of waiting to find out how you performed. It’s also an isolating activity, as typically people enter them on their own.”

Battle Tales attempts to break up the dulls of winter with a fun prompt-based contest. The stakes are low (there’s no entrance fee, and prizes are not life-changing), but the winner does get a year’s membership to the guild, along with bragging rights and a chance to have their writing profiled on the Guild’s blog.

Traditionally, the winner has been announced at a social event, which served to bring people together and reduce that sense of isolation writers often feel; however, the guild is unsure at this time whether an in-person event will be possible, due to COVID-19. That decision will be made at a later date.

To participate, visit the P.E.I. Writers’ Guild website on Jan. 17 to see the writing prompt (check the blog), which will detail a few items eacg short story or essay must include. Writers then have one week to submit a story of 2,500 words or less via the online form found on the PEIWG website. All entries will be judged anonymously (no names on submissions) by Bowie. It is not necessary to be a member of the Writers’ Guild to enter, but participants do have to live in Prince Edward Island.

For more information, visit the P.E.I. Writers’ Guild website (peiwritersguild.com).