We promised a special guest judge for our Christmas ghost story competition, and we’ve delivered: the very spooky Peter Laws has agreed to pick our winner. Big thanks to Rosie O’Carroll for working her contacts.
Peter Laws is an ordained Reverend with a taste for the macabre. He writes a monthly column in The Fortean Times magazine and is the creator of the acclaimed Matt Hunter crime-fiction series, published by Allison and Busby. The latest, Possessed, explores the world of murder and demonic possession.
He wrote the non-fiction book ’The Frighteners: Why We Love Monsters, Ghosts, Death and Gore’ for ICON Books where he travelled to Transylvania, Rome and across the UK explaining (and defending) the human morbid streak.
He is the creator of Creepy Cove Community Church Podcast, a regular ‘church service’ complete with Gothic hymns, spooky sermons and eerie prayers: all broadcast from a mysterious haunted fishing town…where every horror film actually happened. The podcast is a mixture of comedy, drama and non-judgmental spirituality and has been described as ‘Songs of Praise meets Stephen King’.
What’s this all about, then?
Last month we announced a brand new competition was joining the Sutton Writers stable: the Christmas Ghost Story competition.
We’re inviting folks to submit a festive ghost story of 1500 words or less (and yes, we’ll be strict on the word count). It’s up to you whether you inhabit the spirit of James, Poe, King or Dickens, as long as it’s festive-themed and features a ghost.
The competition is open to all – member or not – and there is a £5 entry fee (including for members). This is because the winner will take the whole prize pot proceedings. If you’re on low income or a key worker, email us and we’ll see what we can do.
The deadline is 23.59 GMT this spooky Friday 13th November. We judge these competitions blind, so make sure you give yourself a pen name on your document (MS Word or PDF) and email it to suttonwriters@yahoo.com. The entry fee should be transferred to our bank account, details of which are found here.
Any questions? Pop them in the comment box below or email us at suttonwriters@yahoo.com.
How do I submit an entry?
Hi Barrie! Excited to hear you’re thinking of entering! When your piece is ready, send it as a document attachment to our email: suttonwriters@yahoo.com. The £5 entry fee should be transferred to our bank details, which are below. Make sure you don’t have your name anywhere on the document itself, but feel free to give yourself a fancy pen name 😉
When transferring the entry fee, make sure you write something like “ghost story comp” as the reference.
Santander Business Account
Sort code: 09-01-29
Account number:25939037
Account name: Sutton Writers
Hello Lauren
I am just about ready to submit to Ghost Story Competition and also to transfer fee to join
I emailed this morning generally as have been extremely unwell in lockdown and lost track of whether I have actually joined already, but looking back at email history dont think I have…..
I am looking forward to the writing Saturday retreats.
Best wishes
Sorry to hear you’ve been so unwell, Joanne, but great to hear you’re taking the plunge – both with us, and the ghost stories! I look forward to meeting you on Saturday 🙂