The Manuscript Publisher is pleased to be sponsoring the Overall Prize in this year's competition. Under the terms of this publishing package deal (valued at €2000), here is what the winning author can expect:

• • Prize winner to deliver a completed manuscript, in typed, electronic format, within 12 weeks of receiving the prize.

  • Manuscript is accepted on the understanding that it is a previously unpublished work, is original to the author, containing nothing that is in any way an infringement upon an existing copyright, nor is it the subject of a publishing contract previously entered into with third parties.

  • Copyright to the published work remains with the author, along with all future publishing rights.

  • Manuscript may be of any genre – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, prose, memoir, etc.

  • Book to be published in print (including print-on-demand) and e-book editions.

  • Full editing, proof-reading, typesetting, page design and layout, cover design provided, to bring manuscript to the stage of a print-ready proof.

  • Author will receive a printed proof to sign off on prior to printing.

  • ISBN registration and legal deposit compliance included.

  • Upon publication, author receives 50 printed copies (perfect-bound paperback) of the book for own use, including re-sale, with option to purchase further copies at significantly discounted prices.

  • Manuscript converted to all common e-book formats and made available for distribution through Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, covering all major e-publishing platforms and distribution outlets.

  • Sales and Marketing assistance and support using traditional and online channels.

  • Book to be widely promoted through press release, e-mail, social media campaigns, etc.

  • A special launch of the book is envisaged at a subsequent SiarScéal Festival (time and date to be announced).

Winners will be announced and prizes presented at SiarScéal Festival 2017, which takes place over two days – Friday and Saturday, 20-21 October. In addition to the top prizes, trophy prizes will be presented for Highly Commended entries in the various categories and the Ger Hanily Memorial Cup will be awarded for the best local entry received. Full details, including programme of events, are available from the SiarScéal.

Previous festivals have been lively gatherings with readings, prize ceremonies, open mike sessions that are open to everyone – an opportunity to showcase one's literary talents to a public audience! This year's festival will be in much the same vein. Mary Melvin Geoghegan, who is the adjudicator of this year's awards, is guest speaker. She herself is an award-winning poet. To date, four volumes of her poetry have been published, the most recent being, Say It Like a Paragraph (2012).

The Hanna Greally International Literary Awards have been an important part of the SiarScéal Festival since its inception in 2007. They honour the life and work of an author who led a remarkable life, tragic in many ways but ultimately triumphant. More about the background to the awards, as well as how to enter this year's competition is available from the SiarScéal website.