My favourite thing about running my own online magazine is the people I meet. One such person this year was best-selling author Margaret Graham. Not only has she written over 30 great books, she has also set up a wonderful charity for wounded soldier, Words for the Wounded. Frost is proud to be one of the sponsors of this amazing writing competition. Enter now and you will also be raising money for our troops. Win win.
Words for the Wounded is a charity run by three writing grannies, Margaret Graham, Penny Deacon and Jan Speedie, who have launched the Independent Author Book Award this year to run alongside their existing 400 Word Writing Prize. Both competitions are designed to raise funds to aid the recovery of wounded troops.
Margaret Graham, Random House author, founded Words for the Wounded in memory of her grandfather. Percy served in the First World War, and later took his own life. The charity has attracted such patrons as Paddy Ashdown, Katie Fforde, and Julian Fellowes, who says, '...We are honoured to be involved in this wonderful charity.'
Words for the Wounded is a charity that prefers to earn its donations, rather than just expect them. To this end, the writing prize concept was born, to provide opportunities for aspiring writers through writing competitions. The entry fee supports the wounded. This year we have chosen Combat Stress, (for Percy) Forces Support who are decorating Lee Rigby's son's bedroom, and the creative arts at Tedworth House Recovery Centre.
The competitions are now open, and close on 11th March 2015. The entry fee for the Indie Author Book Award is £12.50 and £4.50 for the 400 word competition.
The Independent Author Book Award is sponsored by Palamedes PR and Frost Magazine. The 400 word prize is sponsored by Margaret Graham and the winners are published in Writers' Forum.
The grannies are branching out: in the summer of 2014 they began to fulfill their combined bucket list, though perhaps there is a difference between their list, and others. The grannies' is in aid of Words for the Wounded.
In May they threw themselves out of planes, strapped to fit young men, hoping their parachutes would open and raised over £2000, as well as experiencing the biggest thrill of their lives. Next year they are white water rafting.
In April they are holding a LitFest Day in High Wycombe, at which readers and writers can learn from the likes of Katie Fforde and Midsomer Murders writers.
The grannies absorb all expenses connected with the charity, so all the money raised through the bucket list, the competitions and other activities goes intact to the troops. These youngsters mostly have life changing injuries and are under the age of 25. They have long lives to live, and deserve the best.
More information. www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
Margaret@margaret-graham.com