Tudor Ghost Story Contest!

Tudor Ghost Story Contest

I am delighted to share that Wendy J. Dunn, a dear friend and author of Dear Heart, How Like You This? has asked me to revive a very popular annual Tudor ghost story contest that was originally hosted via her website.

I am thrilled to accept Wendy’s invitation and invite readers to submit an unpublished Tudor ghost story of between 1,500-3,000 words. The story must of course be your own work and emailed to natalie@onthetudortrail.com by December 9^, 2011.

The Arrow Chest by Robert Parry

The lucky winner will receive a copy of The Arrow Chest by Robert Parry, a spectacular tale that emerges from the pages through its complex and evolving characters, attention to detail and vivid storytelling (read my full review here) AND a copy of Anne Boleyn: The Young Queen To Be (also released as The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn) by Josephine Wilkinson.

One runner up will win an autographed copy of Where Spirits Dwell, fascinating true-life stories of haunted houses and paranormal experiences written by my sister, Karina Machado! This book has been described as ‘fascinating, thought provoking, addictive’ and I can guarantee, is very difficult to put down! (Read an extract from this book here.)

The Mary Rose Appeal

This is a little different to the competitions I usually host, as we are also trying to raise money for the Mary Rose Appeal and so are asking entrants to pay a US $5 entry fee, that will be donated in its entirety to the Mary Rose.

Read what Fiona Harvey, Appeals Fundraiser for the Mary Rose, had to say:

The Mary Rose Appeal

19^th July 1545: when their world stopped our story began

As the flagship of Henry VIII, the Mary Rose holds a unique place in history.

The Mary Rose as depicted in the Anthony Roll

On 19^th July 1545 laden with sailors, fighting men, guns and longbows, the Mary Rose capsized and sank in the shallow waters of the Solent as she sailed to fight the French fleet. For the crew of the Mary Rose time stopped. As she sank so quickly with only a few survivors, a moment in time was frozen – preserved for almost 500 years underneath the silt of the Solent.

The sinking of the Mary Rose has never been fully explained and the tragedy has remained in the minds of generations well beyond Henry VIII, becoming one of the legendary events in Britain’s rich maritime history.

The speed of the sinking has meant that much more than the ship’s hull has survived. Over 19,000 Tudor artefacts have been recovered from the sea bed, with many in such a breathtakingly perfect state that it’s hard to believe they are hundreds of years old. Together they make up a vivid picture of life in Tudor times.

Although, the Mary Rose and her collection of artefacts clearly belong together, until now that hasn’t been possible. That’s why it is so important to build a museum that will bring them together – and display them in the best possible way. We’re aiming to build a museum that will be important not only now but also for future generations. With your help we can create a place of which we can all be proud.

It’s time for this historic ship and her treasures to be properly reunited – in a museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard that will inspire for generations to come. When the museum opens in Autumn 2012 our aim is to help people get closer than ever to our historic past.

By entering this competition you will be making your mark on Tudor history and helping to conserve the world’s only surviving Tudor warship.

Thank you for your support.

Fiona Harvey Appeals Fundraiser

The Mary Rose Trust is a Registered Charity No 277503

What do you need to do to enter?

Firstly – Click on the ‘Donate’ button below to pay your US$5 entry fee via Paypal that will be donated in its entirety to the Mary Rose Appeal. You are more than welcome to donate a larger amount to this wonderful cause!

Secondly – Write a Tudor ghost story or poem of between 1,500-3,000 words and email to natalie@onthetudortrail.com by December 9, 2011. Please use the subject heading, ‘Tudor ghost story’.

It’s as simple as that!

I have invited Wendy J. Dunn to judge this year’s entries and select a winner and runner up.

I am really looking forward to reading your stories and to helping raise much needed funds for the Mary Rose Appeal. So get creative and please share news of the competition with friends and family, as all are welcome to enter!

Please note that all decisions are final and the entry fee is not refundable. By submitting your story, you are agreeing to these conditions and give permission for On the Tudor Trail to publish your entry at www.onthetudortrail.com.