NEW NATURE WRITER OF THE YEAR 2022
Are you inspired by spending time in a place where nature flourishes? Then put pen to paper and let your creativity flow in this year’s nature-writing competition
A SPECIAL PLACE
Grass whispers in the hay meadow. Garlic scents the woodland air. In the canal’s dark mirror, stars glitter; fox bark.
We all have favourite places, made vivid by nature. For BBC Countryfile Magazine’s 2022 New Nature Writer of the Year competition, we would like to hear about the special places around the country that inspire your love of nature, and why you feel a deep connection to it. All you have to do is write us a short piece.
The winner will be published in BBC Countryfile Magazine’s October issue.
WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT
The theme for your story is ‘a special place’. It’s your tribute to a UK location you love, and the nature that flourishes there. The place might be ‘special’ to many – or simply special to you. It might be rural or urban. To enter, send us 600–800 words.
As we read your entry, we want to feel as though we are standing in this particular setting. We want to feel immersed in the place you describe, and to feel the connection to nature you experienced there. What does the environment look, sound and smell like? How does it make you feel?
WHAT IS A ‘NEW WRITER’?
We are keen to hear new voices – those who have never published nature writing in print for a national audience. But you CAN take part if you have written about nature in local newspapers or other print media with a limited audience.
It is also fine to enter if you have written blogs and web features about the natural world, or won other competitions for your nature writing. And if you entered last year and didn’t win, you are welcome to enter again.
WHO CAN ENTER?
The competition is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, except employees or contractors of Our Media or Immediate Media and anyone connected with the competition or their direct family members. There is no minimum age for entrants.
HOW AND WHEN DO I ENTER?
• Please send your 600–800-word entry by email only, to newnaturewoty@countryfile.com.
• Paste the text into the body of the email, rather than attaching it in a document.
• Don’t forget to include your full name, your address, your email address and daytime telephone number.
• Entrants aged under 18 must state their age with their competition entry, and confirm that they have permission to enter from their parent or guardian.
THE PRIZE
If you are chosen as the winner by our panel of expert judges, your story will be published in BBC Countryfile Magazine’s October issue.
The closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 8 June 2022. Good luck!
MORE DETAILS: For full terms and conditions, see: countryfile.com/countryfile-magazine-competitionterms-and-conditions/
SPEAK YOUR WILD VOICE
We know wild places inspire you. But we wanted to hear you explore your passion for nature in your own words – that’s why we launched our first New Nature Writer of the Year competition in 2021.
Reading your entries was a joyful experience. There were many, many wonderful and interesting stories – far more than we could possibly shortlist.
And we know that there are many other talented writers out there whose voices we would love to share. So why not give it a try?
If you’re interested in reading some of entries that were shortlisted last year, visit our website: countryfile.com/competitions/meet-the-winner-of-thenew-nature-writer-of-the-year-2021/