Writers can now submit works for the fourth SU Woordfees Short Story collection, which will be launched at the 2019 SU Woordfees. Du Toitskloof Wines are once again the sponsors of the R30 000 prize money for the winning short story. One of the published stories will be developed as a short film for the Silverskermfees with the support of kykNET.

“Over the last three years the Woordfees Short Story collection has grown to be one of the top literary publications in the industry,"says Saartjie Botha, director of the SU Woordfees. “The number of submissions continues to grow annually as does the quality of the writing and the diversity of themes and storylines. We are eager to see what writers will be entering for the 2019 collection."

In the past writers who were published in the collection, each received R4 000. This year our sponsor Du Toitskloof Wines has generously increased the amount to R5 000.

 “Since the series was first launched in 2016 some of the best short stories in Afrikaans have been published in this manner," noted publishing editor and convenor of the competition, Suzette Kotzé-Myburgh, who has been involved with the project since its inception. “Last year the competition received a record total of 237 entries vying for the coveted first prize and the prestigious film development prize. For everyone who has ever wanted to write a short story, this is your chance!"

 The 2018 winner, Clari Niemand, was also the recipient of the film prize.  Her short story Non (kompos) mentis is being developed into a short film to be shown at the 2018 Silverskermfees. 

Marius Louw, Executive Director of Du Toitskloof Wines, the sponsors of the annual short story competition calls each collection launch a highlight on the literary calendar. “We are privileged to be part of the creativity that emanates from this competition. Our involvement means that we are part of the discovery of exceptional writing, rub shoulders with the best of the arts and carry the sparkle with us for a long time afterwards. Our sponsorship inspires us to greater resourcefulness in every adventure that we tackle."

The names of the writers whose stories have been selected for the collection will be announced at the Woordfees programme launch in November 2018. The winning story, as well as the story chosen for adaptation into a short film, will be announced at the launch of the collection during the SU Woordfees which runs from 1-10 March 2019.

The closing date for entries is 30 September 2018 at 16:00.

For more information about the competition and entry requirements, please visit www.woordfees.co.za. E-mails with further questions can be sent to danie_marais@sun.ac.za – please note that only written enquiries will be answered. 

The SU Woordfees will run from 1-10 March 2019 in Stellenbosch. 

The festival programme will be available in November 2018.