The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Youth & Culture, is now accepting entries for the 2015 Jamaica Creative Writing Competition.

For over 50 years this competition has paved the way for writers to have their work assessed, awarded, publicly acknowledged and published.

The competition encourages writers to sharpen their skills in Standard English or Jamaican Dialect through poems, essays, short stories, plays and novels.

The JCDC is inviting professional and amateur writers to submit their entries in three classes: junior (U-12), intermediate (U-17) and adult (18 and older).

The competition provides opportunities that will expose and develop the literary skills of writers.

Each year over 400 entries are received from across the island.

The winners are awarded cash, certificates of merit, medals, trophies and other prizes as an incentive for showcasing their talents.

The award-winning pieces are also taken on an islandwide exhibition tour, so that others can enjoy the outstanding works.

Special Theme for 2015

According to Andrew Brodber, JCDC speech drama and literary arts specialist, “the JCDC has partnered with the Ministry of Justice through its National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons to have a special theme incorporated in the 2015 competition. Participants are invited to submit entries that reflect the theme “Trafficking in Persons”. There are cash awards and incentives that will be awarded to the winners.”

Entry forms are available on the JCDC website: www.jcdc.gov.jm, at its Head Office located at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10 and all JCDC parish offices island-wide.

Entries must be sent via email to library@jcdcj.gov.jm then three hardcopies along with the completed entry form are to be submitted to any JCDC Office.

The deadline for entry is Thursday, April 30, 2015.