Stylist fiction competition, deadline 16 September 5pm

Fiction competition: become a writer like Girls' Hannah Horvath

Win a Pan Macmillan writing workshop

Calling all aspiring writers (Are you a voice of a generation?)

Stylist has teamed with leading publishers Pan Macmillan and hit HBO series Girls to find the next generation of talented storytellers.

To celebrate the release of Girls: The Complete Second Season on DVD and Blu-ray on 12 August, we're offering 10 lucky readers the chance to attend an exclusive workshop led by Catherine Richards, fiction editor at Pan Macmillan.

Carry out writing exercises, have your work critiqued and find out what commissioning editors look for in a great book: it’s the kind of access to the publishing world that Hannah can only dream of.
Attendees will walk away with a goody bag of Pan Macmillan books, including From Pitch to Publication by leading literary agent Carole Blake, and Girls Seasons 1-2 on DVD boxset– as well as having the opportunity to get your work in the hands of actual commissioning editors.


Fancy putting your skills to the test? We want you write a 500-1000 word piece of fiction inspired by Girls, based on any of these four themes from the show:

- Living in the city
- Friendship
- Right relationship/wrong relationship
- Career first steps

Send your entry of between 500 and 1000 words with your full name, address, telephone number and the theme you've chosen clearly marked at the top to stylistgirls@macmillan.com.
Closing date for entries is Monday 16 September at 5pm. The team at Pan Macmillan will then choose the writers of their ten favourite pieces to attend the workshop in London on October 25.
Winners will be announced on Monday 7 October. Please note you need to be free to attend the workshop in London on October 25 to claim this prize. Transport is not included. See full terms and conditions here.

Need more inspiration? Catherine Richards, fiction editor at Pan Macmillan has the following tips to get started:

ABOVE: Catherine Richards, fiction editor at Pan Macmillan

1. Read lots: writers are also readers. So re-read some of your favourite authors, and think about what it is about their style and plotting that you admire most - it might help focus what you want to achieve in your own writing.

2. Set aside time: time is precious, and procrastination is all too easy. If you do truly want to write, you'll need to dedicate proper time to it as you would any other part of your life. Even if your house really does need tidying again.

3. Enjoy it: it can be tempting to panic and overthink those all-important first sentences, but that's what re-drafts are for. If you're struggling to find your own style, try first imagining you're telling the story to a friend, and your voice will come through more naturally.

Send your fiction entry to stylistgirls@macmillan.com by Monday 16 September and remember to include your contact details and stick to the 500 to 1000 word limit. Good luck!
Tweet us @stylistmagazine @HBO_UK @panmacmillan with the hashtag #girlswritingcomp and let us know how you're getting on.


I entered this competition on Tuesday, so fingers crossed for myself and any of my followers who enter.