Both Iain and Alison are enthusiastic competitors as well as judges and organisers of competitions, and are therefore well qualified to give advice from all points of view. Iain says, as a competition judge, he looks for a story that is original, different from the kind of story that is accepted by women's magazines. Both he and Alison list topics to be avoided in short stories, articles and poetry. They discuss every kind of writing competition, listing do's and don'ts, and they suggest how you can get inside the mind of a judge to boost your chances of success. Strong emotion might grab him, or perhaps the story is told from an unexpected viewpoint or a touch of humour lightens the monotony of stale tales. They also talk about organising a competition for a writing group or charity and where to find news of them - in magazines, libraries and on the Internet. (Useful websites.)

The authors urge you to have a go because competitions offer so much - helpful comments besides prizes, and if your entry is short- listed, it may be published. This is an advantage to poets in particular, because they have few opportunities for publication elsewhere. For short story, novel and article writers there is the knowledge that agents and publishers scan competitions to find good writers and many a one has found an entry has been a step on the ladder to success. Entering will make you work to a deadline when you'd rather be doing something else, make you try something new, a different theme or style and it will give you the challenge of pitting yourself against the much published like Iain and Alison as well as the less experienced.