We received 130 entries for our first writing competition. The winner was a writer from Wales. Second place was a writer from Wiltshire and a Canadian came third. All the shortlisted stories are now on our site www.brightoncow.co.uk

For our first two competitions of the year we have received many entries from all over the world, including South Africa, Trinidad, USA, Australia, Thailand and New Zealand. The nearest local entries have been from Saltdean and Storrington. It would be great to read stories by local writers.

Our Brighton COW (Community Of Writers) Winter short story competition has a deadline of 28th February. It has an open theme, costs four pounds to enter and there are three prizes of £100, £50 and £25. Winning stories will be published on the site and local actors will be recording them for broadcast on our local hospital radio network, Coastway. Compilation CDs of shortlisted stories will be available later in the year. We are currently looking for suitable venues for the first prize-giving/story-telling event.

Andrew Campbell-Kearsey and Steve Myers