Dear Bocas Lit Fest, your website
says that the Hollick
Arvon Caribbean Writers Prize is for emerging writers. But, to be eligible,
the writer must have had at least one piece of creative writing of no less than
2,000 words published.
But what exactly does "published" mean? "Published" is rather vague.
Is an article on a personal blog "published"? Or a letter to the
local newspaper? If a website accepted and posted my story do I qualify? If I
don’t then has it struck the organisers that a host of "emerging"
writers across the Caribbean have automatically been excluded from this
competition?
In conversation with an emerging
writer I asked her opinion. She said, “I'm concerned about this idea of
exclusivity. How can they expect all emerging writers to have published
stories
already? Doesn’t it seem unfair? Especially to writers in the Caribbean
who
need opportunities like this—it’s like they’re just deflating ambition. I
think
the problem lies in the fact that it gives false hope. When you think
something good is finally happening in the region it just turns out to
be a whole lot of hot air”
I believe this matter needs
clarification before the competition ends on Sunday, 30th September, 2012 at 6 PM. Thank you.
Are you an emerging writer?
Please share your thoughts below. I’ll update the article to include your
views. Hopefully the Bocas Lit Fest has ears.
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