Lancashire Libraries has been focusing on crime fiction and true crime this year, recommending a variety of books in all crime sub-genres (from classic crime to psychological thrillers), hosting special author events and organising other (legal of course) crime-related activities…

And here’s the latest: Crime-writer Zoë Sharp, author of the hugely acclaimed thrillers featuring female bodyguard Charlie Fox, has teamed up with them to launch a crime-writing short story competition.

She has provided this intriguing first line of a story:

‘I always swore, if ever I came back to Lancashire again, I’d kill him.’‘

Now all anyone has to do is finish the story off – either as a piece of flash fiction (maximum word limit 500 words) or as a short story (maximum word limit 5000 words).

Closing date is the 30th September 2010. For more information on how to enter click here.

Might take a shot at this over the weekend. If you heard about the competition here and want to have a go, email us a copy of your submission too at chiara@allisonandbusby.com! We’d love to hear what Zoë Sharp has inspired you to write!

Chiara Priorelli, Publicity and Online Marketing Manager