Manx Litfest has launched a competition for short story writers to create tales of life inspired by life during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The Manx Lockdown Fiction competition, being run in conjunction with the ManSat Group, has two categories, with the judges’ favourite five entries in each category winning £100.

The first category is open to any genre, the second a special category for the modern retelling of a classic Manx fairy tale set during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Manx Litfest director John Quirk said: ’The ManSat Group has been a long-standing supporter of the festival and chief executive Chris Stott approached us with the idea of short fiction inspired by life during lockdown.

’The first category is wide open, with no restriction on genre, and offers writers the freedom to try whatever kind of story they want.

’The second category is purely for modern day Manx fairy tales - that could be an update or reimagining of an existing fairy tale, or a purely original tale.’

The five winning entries in each category, along with a selection of other entries, will be available to read on the Manx Litfest website.

They may also look at holding an event, possibly in connection with a future festival, which incorporates as many of the entries as possible.

And they may also look at options to publish the entries in a book, with proceeds going to charity.

Mr Stott said: ’During the eight years we have supported Manx Litfest, we have seen first-hand just how much excellent writing talent the Isle of Man has. We look forward to seeing the range of writing conjured up as a response to Covid-19 and the lockdown.’

Each writer can submit one story in each category, with all submissions judged by representatives of Manx Litfest and ManSat.

Each piece must not exceed 2,500 words.

The competition is open to writers living in the Isle of Man, of any age or nationality.

Submit your entries for Lockdown Fiction by email to [email protected]

If you do not have access to email, post your entry to Manx Litfest, 8 Milner Close, Port Erin, IM9 6BG.

The deadline for competition entries to be received is 5pm on June 22.

Competition winners will be announced by July 31.

For the full Manx Lockdown Fiction competition guidelines, visit www.manxlitfest.com/about-us/competitions/