₦airaland Forum

No rat here. Just trying to do the right thing. The website will be up soon.

Thank you.

New Brew Media team

Your advice is highly appreciated ma.

Consequently, the contest has been postponed until the issues are resolved. We promise to bring it back better and friendlier.

Sincerely,

New Brew Media Team

Dear Efeski,

Your concern is duly noted and it is my wish that the competition be free. With the combined factors of the Nigerian economy and preceding competitions, N3,800 might seem unnecessarily steep, right?

Wrong. In most international competitions (short stories and film scripts which I have done my research on and participated in), the organizations request for entry fees, most times for prizes less than $1000. So internationally, it is not an anomaly, given the standard we are setting.

The standard for this competition is going to be really high so, N3,800 will make the writer think deeper and create a more unique story. Human psychology dictates that whatever is free is not appreciated unless removed from him. Ergo, you put in more effort for a project you invest in than one that is free.

Also, you compared us with Farafina and Fidelity. I could also add Intercontinental Bank Plc which gave out a cash prize of N1m for a write up on Nigeria's 50th Anniversary.

If you notice, there is no 'sponsor' like the organizations mentioned above. Therefore, we cannot afford the huge prizes that banks (who have your money in the first place) offer. The total sum of fees expected does not cover the cost of starting up this project, as we had to beat it down to what people can afford.

Instead, this is just a group of people who have the courage to recognize that we can light a fire in people's hearts that will burn through to the next generation; that we can redirect the Nigerian mind to think; not about what the country can do for you but what you can do for your country.

What New Brew Media represents is a vision, a purpose, the power to mould men of the future. I ask you to see what I see, where Nigerians can go. That we have got all that we need to succeed is not the issue. It is the ability to focus your psyche on the right path like a magnifying lens under the sun.

And my dear Efeski, we have got our act together. We will definitely make it free, in time.

Thank you for echoing a question many would have had and giving us the opportunity to explain.

Sincerely,

NewBrew.

The competition is aimed at harnessing talent of Nigerians who have the potential, but not the opportunity to write. The best of Nigerian talent is expected and wonderful stories too, able to stand internationally, and perhaps win more than a cash prize

And perhaps win recognition and honor.

Deadline is 31st April 2011

NEW BREW MEDIA PRESENTS A SHORT STORY COMPETITION. IN 4,000 WORDS WRITE A WORK OF FICTION IN ANY GENRE. 1ST PRIZE N250,000; 2ND PRIZE N150,000; 3RD PRIZE N100,000.

SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS - WWW.NEWBREWMEDIA.COM