A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR YOUR STORY OR POEM ON THE RADIO!

Victory are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the original Radio Victory station. Portsmouth Authors Collective (PAC) have joined forces with Victory to offer a unique opportunity to new and experienced writers to have their work broadcast. Victory is based in Portsmouth, but has listeners all over the UK tuning in on DAB+ radio, phones, tablets, computers. It’s a warm and inviting station, has brilliant presenters, nostalgic tunes that bring back memories and a variety of interviews, news items and community information.

Victory is radio like it used to be!

To enter the competition, you need to write a short story of 400 words maximum, or poem of 30 lines maximum, using the theme ‘VICTORY’. The theme can be interpreted in any way the writer wishes but must be relevant to the story. The top ten shortlisted stories, and top ten shortlisted poems, will be broadcast on Victory Radio over a two-week period.

Your chance to get a brand new audience for your writing!

Please read the ‘How to apply’ and ‘Rules & Regulations’ carefully before applying.

• Make sure you have read the Competition Rules & Regulations (see below).
• You can enter as many times as you wish. When you purchase an entry, it is valid for either one story or one poem. If you purchase several entries, they can be used for a story or a poem, but each entry can only be used once.
• Visit www.victoryonline.co.uk and go to the Shop to purchase a “Competition Entry”. You will be given the option to purchase One Entry for £6, Two Entries for £10, and Three Entries for £15. Please TICK the ONLINE ENTRY box under SHIPPING.
• Entries can be purchased in advance.
• You must only send entries via email during the submission period.

Submission Rules

• You must be 18+ and a resident of the UK.
• Submissions open on 1st May 2025.
• Submissions will close at midnight on 31st May 2025. The submission window may be extended at the discretion of Victory or PAC.
• You must send entries via email. Please send stories to story2025@victoryonline.co.uk and poems to poetry2025@victoryonline.co.uk .
• The confirmed ‘Order Number #’ and title of your story or poem must be included in the subject title of the email. Please only send one entry per email.
• Entries should be attached as a Word document to the email.
• Please ensure ONLY the title of the story or poem and your ‘Order Number’ appear in your document. Do not include your name in the document as all stories and poems will be judged anonymously.
• In the body of the email you should list your own details:
  • Your name,
  • Email address,
  • Contact telephone number,
  • Postal address
  • The title of your story or poem.

Content:

• A Short Story entry must be no longer than 400 words (excluding title).
• A poem entry must be no longer than 30 lines (excluding title)
• There is no minimum length for a Short Story or Poem.
• The theme ‘VICTORY’ can be interpreted in whatever way the writer wishes but must link into the Short Story or Poem.
• All entries must be suitable for radio broadcast. Any short stories or poems that include bad language, or anything the judges consider is of an offensive nature, will not be considered.
• Entries must not have been previously published in print, audio or online.
• All rights pertaining to the work remain with the writer, but by entering the competition the writer affords Victory permission to record and broadcast all entries and use for marketing/publicity in relation to the competition.
• Entries which are discarded due to unsuitable content, or failure to comply with any Competition Rules and Regulations, will not be refunded.

Formatting:

• Stories please use double spacing, standard font and size 12 Times New Roman (preferred) and indented paragraphs.
• Poems should use a standard font, size 12 Times New Roman (preferred) but have free formatting and structure.

• Dependent on number of entries received, the submission window may be extended. If this happens it will be announced during the PAC Book Club programme which airs on Thursday between 10:15 and 10:45.
• The Top Ten Shortlisted Stories and the Top Ten Shortlisted Poems will be broadcast over a two-week period (Mon to Fri) in July.
• The First, Second and Third placed entries for both categories will be announced after the last Short Story and Poem has been broadcast.

• Personal Certificate – All ten shortlisted stories and poems will receive a certificate listing their achievement.
• First Prize – Five novels/poetry collections from Portsmouth Authors Collective, together with a voucher (to be announced live on radio) and Victory merchandise.
• Second Prize – Three novels/poetry collections from Portsmouth Authors Collective, together with Victory merchandise.
• Third Prize – Two novels/poetry collection from Portsmouth Authors Collective, together with Victory merchandise.
• Special Local Submission Prize – In addition to the winners above, one short story and one poem submission from a ‘PO’ post code will be offered VIP Tickets to Victory’s 50th Anniversary Celebration to be held at the The Gaiety, Southsea during October 2025, where they will meet some of their favourite presenters.
• All judges decisions are final.