Blogging Woolf

The Virginia Woolf Society of Great Britain is holding an essay competition in memory of acclaimed Woolf scholar and member of the society’s Executive Council, Julia Briggs. Briggs died in August 2007.

The competition for the Julia Briggs Memorial Prize 2011 is open to members and non-members (except for the Executive Council and Editorial Committee of the society, the judges and their families.

Entries should be sent to Ruth Webb, 15 Southcote Rd., London SE25 4RG, to arrive by 10 January 2011.

The competition rules and entry form are provided below.

Entrants should read these carefully and return the signed form with the entry. If you have any queries or would like another entry form, please e-mail Sarah M. Hall at smhall123@yahoo.co.uk.

Student membership in the society costs £10 for those at UK addresses and £15 for those at overseas addresses. Memberships are based on the calendar year.

Competition Rules

The essay, on the topic “Why is reading Virginia Woolf still so crucial today?”, but with a title of the entrant’s choosing, should be between 2,000 and 2,500 words in length. It should be the original work of the named entrant, and previously unpublished in print or any other medium. Student coursework is acceptable.

Entrants should supply THREE typed copies of the essay on A4 paper, printed on one side only, double-spaced (or 1.5) and in a font size no smaller than 10-point. The VWSGB regrets that no e-mailed entries will be accepted because of printing costs.

The competition will be judged by acclaimed Woolf scholars Lyndall Gordon and Maggie Humm, and VWSGB Vice-Chair and Woolf biographer Ruth Webb. The decision of the judges is final. The VWSGB reserves the right not to award the prize if, in the judges’ opinion, none of the entries attains the required standard. Otherwise the winner will be contacted in mid-March.

The winner will receive a cheque for £250, presented at the society’s annual general meeting in central London on 2 April 2011, and the winning essay will be published in the Virginia Woolf Bulletin. If the winner is unable to attend the meeting, the prize will be sent by secure mail.

Please Note
No entry will be accepted without the signed entry form below, which should be attached to the first page of the first copy of the essay. There should be no personal details on the essay pages themselves. The VWSGB cannot return entries. Acknowledgement of receipt can only be given if the entrant supplies an SAE containing the confirmation slip below. Entrants from outside the UK should email Sarah M. Hall as above for confirmation of receipt.

VWSGB / Julia Briggs Memorial Prize 2011 – Entry Form

Please complete the details below in block capitals.

Name:

Address (no P.O. Box or company addresses are acceptable):

Phone:

Title of essay:

Email:

I have read the competition rules and agree to comply with them,

signed: