Posted by Publisher - J.P.R

WiSPA 2006 finalist, Helen Williams, is having her award winning entry published by London company, A & C Black Publishers Ltd. The story ‘Finding My Roots’ is featured in an anthology entitled ‘All in the Family’ which is due to be released in May 2008. The contract was secured after WILDE Network promoted the short story to several publishers in the UK. This is just one the numerous benefits of entering the annual WiSPA Creative Writing Prize competition; other prizes include cash, laptops, books and vouchers.

The WiSPA Creative Writing Prize which is set to become one of Jamaica’s most prestigious arts awards is hosted by UK company WILDE Network Limited in partnership with DMA (Ja) Ltd. The competition is the central feature of the annual WiSPA Literary Retreat, which brings together women from the US, UK and Jamaica for two weeks of creative writing workshops. The free workshops will be taking place from 24th November – 8th December 2008 at Jackies-on-the-reef in Negril.

Speaking about the Prize, Managing Director of WILDE, Jendayi Headlam , a Jamaican living in the UK stated: “We are very excited and honoured to be able to provide this opportunity for our Jamaican sisters. Not only does the prize give women a sense of achievement, pride and self-powerment, it is also a real source of opportunity for our writers to engage an international audience and increase their earning power.”

The 2007 Awards ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel, Kingston and celebrated the achievements of Jamaican women. Last year’s winners were Ann-Margaret Lim and Sabrena McDonald in the short story and poetry sections respectively. Sabrena McDonald said: “Winning first prize in the WiSPA poetry competition was more than encouragement to me as a writer; it was the needed nudge for me to seriously work on compiling my anthology for my first publication and also an added inspiration for me to rediscover my voice as a spoken word performer. All in all, it has encouraged me to keep writing as a woman with opinions and as a human with purpose. So….write on!”

WiSPA 2008 is now inviting women to register their intention to enter. Closing date for registration is 30th June 2008 and all entries must be submitted by 31st August 2008. Registration forms and full details about this year’s competition can be found at www.wilde2000.org.uk/wispa or by emailing wispa-prize@wilde2000.org.uk.

About WILDE International Network
Founded in 1999 and incorporated in 2003, WILDE International Network is an arts production company, whose services include learning & development, events design & management, audio services and publishing. WiSPA is the annual literary retreat for female authors and poets from the UK and the US who are joined by their Jamaican counter-parts, in an invigorating interaction of diverse feminine creativity.

Contact:
Mike Brooks, DMA on 876 850 2755
Jendayi Headlam, Public Relations, WILDE International Network, +44 794-940-0495 or email jendayi@wilde2000.org.uk