Competitions

What's your story?

Settle Storytelling Festival is looking for the best undiscovered storytellers – could this be you? We’d like you to tell us a ten minute story - let your imagination run wild! Make us laugh, make us think – perhaps make us cry…

Your story could be about anything from sorcerers to spaceships, gingerbread men to gangsters, right down to your school or your street. Your story could even be something that really happened to you.

What’s the twist? We don’t want you to write down a story and read it out – tell us your tale! Use different voices for different characters, pause for dramatic effect, make the audience hold their breath to find out what happens next.

The competition is open to everyone, whether you’re 10, 110 or somewhere in between, so get your family and friends to give it a try.

Record and upload your entry by 12 noon on 15th September 2013. There’s a £50 Amazon voucher for the winner, and prizes for two runners-up too.

The overall winner will be invited to perform at Settle Storytelling Festival 2013, which takes place from 10th – 13th October 2013. This is your chance to share the stage with internationally renowned storytellers. (We can't pay your expenses to get to the festival but no matter where you are in the world you're welcome to take part!)

Remember – the only limit is your imagination!

Competition rules:

• The Settle Storytelling Competition is open to anyone aged 10 to 110 who does not work as a professional storyteller. (A professional storyteller is someone who earns all or part of their living through telling stories.)
• The story must be told and not read.
• Stories should be no more than 10 minutes long
• All stories should be uploaded to the Audioboo channel by 15th September 2013 by 12 noon.
• Stories can be traditional tales, folk tales, fairy stories, autobiographical or life stories or original stories.

Entries must not:

• Contain material which is offensive or promotes illegal activity (e.g. underage drinking, substance abuse, computer hacking, etc.)
• Include mention or performance of any copyrighted media production including but not limited to music, films, books, television programming, etc., or identifying descriptions of any media property.
• Have been previously submitted to or broadcast in any recorded media.

Tips

• Tell a story that you like and enjoy.
• Make sure you have practiced telling your story to others before you record it.
• Vary the pace and tone.
• Use different voices for your characters.
• Remember you are engaging your audience through your voice.

Judging criteria

The winning storyteller will be the one who in the judge's view:

• Engages the listener.
• Is animated
• Is the most enjoyable

The competition will be judged by Dave Tong, the Yarnsmith of Norwich. The judge’s decision is final.

Prizes

• 1st prize: Amazon Voucher for £50 and an invitation to tell your story at the Festival 2013
• 2nd prize: Amazon Voucher of £25
• 3rd prize: Amazon Voucher of £10

Settle Stories makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the merchantability or fitness for purpose of any prize offered as a result of any Settle Stories competition or promotion.