In the style of the mystery novel penned via the Internet by John Updike et al, a new competition has been launched with the involvement of South African writer Jann Turner, author of Heartland.
At the M-Web site http://www. mweb.co.za/valentine/, Turner has written the opening segment of a Valentine’s Day romance. Web-surfers can add the next bit – – and the best of each day’s submissions will posted up. The competition runs up until February 14, when an overall winner will be chosen. He or she will receive an Exclusive Books gift voucher worth R1 000, and the runner-up a R500 voucher.
* This year’s Sanlam Literary Award, which is administered by the Grahamstown Foundation, will go to novels, one published and one unpublished. The best published novel of those submitted will win R7 000; the best unpublished novel will get R4 000. The novels must be in English and must reach the organisers by March 31.
For an official entry form or further information, write to the Sanlam Literary Award, Grahamstown Foundation, PO Box 304, Grahamstown, 6140, or contact Greg Jacob in the festival office at phone number (046) 622-4341 or fax (046) 622-3082.
Previous winners of the award include Njabulo Ndebele, EM Macphail and Zakes Mda.
The prize will be presented at the Standard Bank National Arts Festival in July in Grahamstown.