BUDDING writers are invited to submit their short stories as part of festival event Storytelling Army.

The competition is being run by Lulu.com, the event’s sponsor.

Entries will be taken until midnight on Wednesday, May 24.

Open to all Sussex residents over the age of 18, the initiative responds to guest director Kate Tempest’s theme of the “everyday epic”, with writers encouraged to focus on the observations and achievements of daily life.

The four winners will be announced during the last week of the festival and the successful stories will be published in an anthology alongside work from the Storytelling Army.

A paperback book will later be published, with marketing company Authoright ensuring that the works reach as many readers as possible.

Taking place from next Friday to Sunday, the Storytelling Army is a collective of people from all walks of life – including those who are homeless and vulnerably housed – who will perform in various locations throughout Brighton.

Nigel Le, CEO of Lulu.com, said: “Since time began, we as a species have passed down our teachings from generation to generation through the medium of storytelling.

“From the camp fire to the soapbox, from dusty books to the internet, storytelling is how we evolve.

“It is essential to our existence and vital to the fabric of our communities.

“Everyone has a story to tell. Lulu.com has amassed our own storytelling army of over a million authors in 226 countries.

“To get on the ground, be part of real-life story telling in Brighton and to publish a selection of those winning stories, is a fantastic opportunity for Lulu to further its heart felt cause, freedom of expression and the right to share.

“The whole initiative speaks to our own ethos – share your story, without profit censorship, without manipulation from profiteers, without judgment.”

Entry is free and stories must be no more than 4000 words (there is no minimum word count).

Stories must be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word or PDF document which must contain your name, your address, your age, your email contact details, the title of your submission, the word count and your twitter handle (if relevant).

Entries must be emailed to social_uk@lulu.com.

For full terms and conditions visit lulu-uk.blog. Alternatively, email social_uk@lulu.com for the competition entry rules.