Other Literary Competitions
The Alexander Cordell Literature Competition 2008
Short Story Competition Sponsored by The South Wales Argus
1st Prize £500
2nd Prize £300
3rd Prize £150
Entries are invited for the 5th annual Alexander Cordell Literature Competition
One of Wales’ most popular writers, Alexander Cordell wrote thirty books, including the international best-seller Rape of the Fair Country. His writing immortalised people and places across the South Wales Valleys, an area now called Cordell Country.
Many of Cordell’s books feature children toiling in the coal and iron industries of the South Wales Valleys: Bryn Evans working the family barge on the Neath and Tennant canal and eight year old Iestyn Mortimer going to work at the Garndyrus furnaces are just two youthful heroes in his novels.
For the 5th Alexander Cordell Writing Competition the theme will be to write a children’s story set during the Industrial Revolution in ‘Cordell Country’.
"…On my eighth birthday my father put my name on the books of the ironmaster and took me to work at the Garndyrus furnaces….. Starting work at eight years old was late to begin a career, for some of the children in town began work at seven, or earlier. Take Sara Roberts – she was about my age but she had been chipping the rock from the iron vein since she was five, and Ieun Mathers lost one foot under a tram at five and the other when he was six..."
From Rape of the Fair Country
The prize will be awarded for an article which, in the judges opinion, captures the spirit and soul of the children of the South Wales Valleys in the most original and engaging way.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM (01495) 792615,
OR WWW.CORDELLCOUNTRY.ORG
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2008