Entries now open for 2008 Biographers Club Prize
The £2,000 Biographers Club Prize supports uncommissioned first-time writers working on a biography. This year’s judges are Nicola Beauman, publisher of Persephone Books; Richard Davenport-Hines, whose books include biographies of Proust and Auden; and Andrew Crofts, prolific ghostwriter and author of the forthcoming novel The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride. Details of how to enter are at www.biographersclub.co.uk/prize.

BBC Drama Series Writers Academy 2008
Could you write for flagship BBC shows such as EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City and Doctors? Has your work been broadcast on television or radio, or performed professionally at the theatre? If you would like a year’s training with the BBC and a springboard to writing for the entire range of the BBC’s drama output, applications are now being taken for the BBC Drama Series Writers Academy 2008. This enormously successful scheme, now in its fourth year, includes lectures from the country’s best writers, instruction in all aspects of television production, and direct writing experience on the BBC’s four continuing dramas. The course begins in September and the application deadline is 12 May. For more information, see the jobs section of the BBC website and search for Ref 360697.

Ledbury Poetry Competition 2008
This year’s competition will be judged by Jackie Kay, and poets of all ages are welcome to submit entries. Winners will be invited to appear at the 2008 Ledbury Poetry Festival, the biggest and most eclectic in Britain, which will run from 4-13 July and will feature guests such as Michael Rosen, Gillian Allnutt and Eleanor Rees. First prize for adult entries is a place on the Ty Newydd writing course in 2009, and there are book token prizes for winners of the under 10’s category too. The application deadline is 1 May. For more information and competition rules, visit www.poetry-festival.com.

Poetry London competition 2008
Poetry London is a leading international magazine featuring new names alongside acclaimed contemporary poets. This year’s competition will be judged by award-winning poet and travel writer Kathleen Jamie, with a first prize of £1000 up for grabs. The deadline for entries is 2 June. For more information on how to enter, visit www.poetrylondon.co.uk.

The Bridport Prize 2008
The short story and poetry categories are open to anyone over 18 and first prize for each category is an impressive £5000. The top 26 stories and poems will then be published in the Bridport Prize 2008 Anthology. Previous winners include Carol Ann Duffy and Kate Atkinson. Deadline for entries is 30 June and more information can be found at www.bridportprize.org.uk.

Keats-Shelley Prize 2008
This competition falls into two categories: an essay of 2000-3000 words based on any aspect of the lives and work of John Keats, PB Shelley, Mary Shelley or Lord Byron, and a poem of up to 50 lines based on the theme 'Lost'. The deadline for all applications is 30 June and there is £3000 in total to be won, to be presented at a ceremony in London in the autumn. Winning work will also be published. For more information, visit www.keats-shelley.co.uk.