The Showtime writing competition for 2008

OK pens down, switch off computers, time is almost up in our 2008 writing competition. No, just kidding, you do have another 27 or so days to get your poem in to us by the closing date for entries of October 31.

And we hope we don't sound too effusive when we state that this year's poetry writing competition has undoubtedly produced a glittering array of poems penned by our readers. Just recently one of our team showed a small selection of entries to a couple of literary types who happened to drop by our office... and... they were suitably impressed and even suggested we should publish them in an anthology. Who knows? Maybe we will, there really are some cracking poems in there.

So for the last time, let's remind you that this year we are asking you to write a poem focusing on the environment. You can write on any environmental aspect, from whatever viewpoint you choose. Maybe you'll go for global warming, over-development, deforestation, the disappearance of species and the rainforest, etc... Your poem can be whatever you want it to be, dramatic, romantic, satirical, funny. In strict iambic pentameter, blank verse... whatever.

We'd like you to confine your entry(ies) to between 10 and 20 lines... or even shorter. Please no epic poems.

As usual, entries should be sent to:

The Showtime Writing Competition 2008,
Allied Newspapers Ltd,
341 St Paul's Street,
Valletta VLT 1211.

The competition is open to all readers of The Times and Sunday Times, but not to employees and dependants of Allied Newspapers Ltd.

Each entry (you may send as many as you like) must be your own work and previously unpublished. It must also be in the English language.

All entries must reach us by October 31 and will be judged by a panel of distinguished local writers. And of course the judge's decision is final.

And this year we are expanding our prize base. The winner will be entitled to a luxury weekend for two at the five-star Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard. He/she and his/her partner will also be entitled to one free meal at the Corinthia's famous Rickshaw restaurant.

And that's not all. The winner will also receive:

From Allied Retail And Commercial Ltd: €120 worth of books.

From the St James Centre For Creativity: Two tickets per month to the St James cinema.

From Masquerade: Two tickets for each of their performances throughout 2009.