Press release -
RAC launches national short story competition based on driving in Europe
Budding British writers are being given the opportunity to win £500 and have a short story published by the RAC following the launch of a national competition aimed at bringing to life the experience of driving in Europe.
Stories should encompass the theme of driving abroad within the European Union and the competition will be judged by writer Ben Hatch, the author of road trip books such as Are We There Yet? and The Road to Rouen.
The winner will receive £500 and RAC 5* European Breakdown Cover for a year, as well as being published in the RAC Club digital magazine. Two runners-up will be awarded £100 M&S vouchers and shortlisted entries have the chance to be published on the RAC website.
Ben Hatch said: “It’s great to see the RAC launching a national short story competition to explore in a different light the experience that driving in Europe can bring.
“Short stories are an excellent way of trying out writing styles and narratives and can be a lot of fun, but that’s not to say it’s always easy. With a short story each sentence really does have to earn its place and work in terms of moving the narrative on.
“We’ll be looking for concise and exciting writing alongside a real grasp of the driving abroad theme. I can’t wait to see what the entries provide.”
Pete Williams, head of external affairs at the RAC, said: “Driving abroad provides a fantastic way to discover a foreign country where time spent on the road in itself is part of the experience. And with so many wonderful countries in Europe within driving distance, we’re hoping to harness the sense of adventure and inspiration this creates.
“Whether the setting is the back roads of Provence, the Pyrenees or the buzzing centre of Berlin, we want to see a short story that has the unique experience of driving in Europe at its heart.”
Entrants must be aged 18 or older and the word limit is set at 1,000 words. The story should follow a fictional narrative, rather than be a straightforward account of a driving holiday abroad. Stories can include the UK but must contain at least one other European Union country. Closing date for entries is Thursday 11th September 2014.
For more details on how to enter and for Terms and Conditions please visit www.rac.co.uk/short-story.
Ends
Notes to editors
The competition is open from 19th May 2014 and the closing date is 11th September 2014. For more details on how to enter and for Terms and Conditions please visit www.rac.co.uk/short-story.
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Notes to Editors
About the RAC
First formed in 1897, the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of drivers for more than 120 years.
Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK drivers at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.
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