BOYNE WRITERS GROUP Trim, County Meath, Ireland, are holding a Competition for Satirical Work in Commemoration of Jonathan Swift, the author of such works as Gulliver’s Travels, A Tale of a Tub, and A Modest Proposal. He was a politically powerful figure – an early personification of what we would nowadays call a Spin Doctor – in the England of the late 1600s, early 1700s. His pen was said to be the mightiest sword in the land.

Subject:
The Lisbon Treaty referendum: a Modest Proposal.

OR

Global Warming – a Lot of Hot Air

Entries will be judged on the basis of satire, irony, absurd humour, acute political insight, grotesque imagination, and lacerating wit – the hallmarks of Swift's best works. Note: Familiarity with the Lisbon Treaty is NOT a requirement for entry into this competition.

Extra explanatory material of not more than 100 words may be included with each entry. This is to facilitate judging of entries because this type of material sometimes lends itself to allegorical references which may not be immediately clear.

Entry fee: €7 (or £5 or $10) per entry. There is no limit to the number of entries, but each must be accompanied by the fee of €7 (or £5 or $10). Cash is acceptable.

Length: Prose - minimum of 600 words, not more than 800 words. Poetry – minimum 30 lines, maximum 100 lines.

Prizes: 1st €500, 2nd €300, 3rd €200 Closing date: Wednesday, 7th May, 2008

Entries (by email or post) will be judged by members of Boyne Writers and a Guest Judge.

This competition is being held in conjunction with the Trim Swift Festival, which takes place in Trim from Thursday, May 29, to Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Competition rules can be found on the Boyne Writers website: www.boynewriters.com/swift.html