The David Rattray Memorial Fiction Prize

CALLING ALL FICTION WRITERS BETWEEN 18 AND 24 YEARS OLD.

The David Rattray memorial fiction prize is an annual writing competition for 18-24 year olds, set up to honour historian David Rattray. David was a self-taught internationally renowned expert on the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879, who was sadly murdered in 2007. He ran the Fugitives' Drift Lodge with his wife Nicky, near Rorke's Drift located in Kwa Zulu Natal.

The winner of the competition will enjoy a two-night stay at Fugitive's Drift, visit selected battlefield of the Anglo-Zulu wars and also receive £2,000. Plus there are two runners-up prizes of £1,000. The winning essay will also be read by Maggie Phillips, one of the senior executives at the Ed Victor Ltd Agency, providing exposure of the winner's skills to the publishing world.

How to enter:

To enter, you need to write an essay of between 1,000 and 1,400 words, it should be a work of fiction entitled, "Reconciliation".

Entries will be judged by a prestigious judging panel comprising of: Graham Boynton, The Daily Telegraph; Lord Hurd, author and former UK Foreign Secretary; Lucia van der Post, author; Francine Stock, author and broadcaster; Pumeza Matshikaza, opera singer; Nicky Rattray, David's widow.

Essays need to be sent in Word format to rattray@lme.com or, post five A4 copies to: David Rattray Memorial Competition, 56 Leadenhall Street. London, EC3A 2DX to be received by June 1, 2009. Entrants must include their name, address and telephone number.