Enter our writing competition

Enter our competition for The Allyson Kent Award for Fearless Writing at The Alnwick Story Fest. (Zoom link for today's writers' hour is open to everyone today at 9am; do join us)

“To write is to pay attention to your life, and to open up the channel for magic and mystery to flow through you.” Beth Kempton

It’s our third Alnwick Story Fest again in a month’s time—February 28th to 2nd March 2025.

And I am very proud to announce that today we are launching The Allyson Kent Award for Fearless Writing. I was introduced to Allyson at the last Alnwick Story Fest by Heartleaping writer and coach Juliet Thomas.

Allyson took to fearlessly writing about her cancer journey, whilst in hospital, to get her through incredibly difficult times, right up until her passing in October. Her writing always focused on the positive and what she could do, rather than what she couldn’t, and encouraged others to do the same.

Allyson had such a passion and energy for life, taking part in her beloved Park Runs when she could, raising thousands for charities, and working with the medical profession to improve services to cancer patients. These topics she often wrote about, finding comfort in transferring her thoughts on to the page and connecting with her readers.

This annual award celebrates Allyson’s legacy by encouraging writers to embody her fearless spirit: to be courageous, real, and unflinchingly honest in their writing.

The Mission
The Allyson Kent Award is more than a competition; it’s a call to action for writers to:

1. Open up conversations about difficult and important topics.

2. Create connections and foster a courageous writing community.

3. Explore the power of writing as a tool for processing and healing.

As Allyson believed, great writing isn’t about vulnerability—it’s about authenticity. Writers are encouraged to visit her Substack: https://substack.com/@allysonkent1 for inspiration, where her own fearless words live on.

The 2025 Competition Theme
Writers are invited to submit a piece of fearless, courageous, and powerful writing on any topic, revealing a meaningful life lesson. Submissions may take any form, including storytelling, poetry, or dialogue.

• Word count: Up to 1000 words

• Entry Fee: £5 (donated directly to Dove House Hospice, where Allyson spent her final days, via this Just Giving page set up for the competition):

• Allyson Kent Just Giving Page

• Deadline: 12pm February 7th, 2025

Prize:

• Publication on the Alnwick Story Fest Substack and promotion on ASF social media.

• A curated prize package, including:

  • A set of tickets to author events at Alnwick Story Fest 2025 (if you come along)

  • A set of Beth Kempton’s books, including The Way of the Fearless Writer.

  • 6 months of membership to Suzy’s Heart Leap Substack, including writing hours and masterclasses.

  • 6 months of membership to Juliet’s Curious Creative Club.

  • A bespoke silver pendant or keyring engraved with “Fearless Writer” by Pippi Silver.

  • A Yes I Can mug and pen (Allyson’s Charity that she set up)

  • A bespoke silver pendant engraved "Fearless Writer" by Pippi Silver.

Judging Panel
Me (!) Juliet Thomas (The Curious Creative Club) and Robin de Rosario will be judging the stories.

Partnerships
This award is a collaborative effort between Alnwick Story Fest, Dove House Hospice, Yes I Can Charity, Heart Leap, and The Curious Creative Club.

How to Enter
Submissions will open on January 14th, 2025, with full details available on the Alnwick Story Fest website and social media.

Please donate £5 to Just Giving Page

About Allyson Kent
Allyson was a writer who championed courage, honesty, and connection in her work. This award aims to continue her mission of inspiring writers to tell their truths boldly and powerfully

I hope you will be inspired enough to enter.

Enter the writing competition here.

---

If you want to join today’s writing hour, here’s the link.

Suzy Walker is inviting you to the Heart Leap Writing Hour 9am-10am on Tuesday and Thursday every week

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82213810644?pwd=7Xbe9G7joQUmDwg5thjiUMLWJJPZQS.1

Meeting ID: 822 1381 0644

Passcode: 905299