Authors handed challenge

A New Direction is the theme of this year's short story competition run by the South China Morning Post and RTHK - but the winner will not necessarily be about the handover.

The top writer in each age group will receive two return Canadian Airlines tickets to the United States and an S. T. Dupont fountain pen.

Entries, to be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, will be divided into authors aged 12 to 17 and 18 and above. They must be typed in English on A4 paper, with the author's name, age and phone number.

Stories should be sent to RTHK/SCMP Short Story Competition, PR and Promotions Department, Morning Post Centre, PO Box 323, Tai Po Post Office, Hong Kong. The deadline is August 30.