Masters-or novice writers-who appreciate brevity should sharpen their writing and editing tools to craft an entry for the 1999 Short Story Competition offered by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA). All Commonwealth citizens--amateur writers or professional--can participate in the competition. The association's goal is to promote the Commonwealth by broadcasting well-written short stories by Commonwealth writers.

Original, English-language stories of about 500 words qualify for the contest. Entries must never have been published. The winner, who will receive Ј2,000, will be announced in October 1999 when Commonwealth heads of government meet in Cape Town, South Africa. Three regional prizes of Ј500 and 21 prizes of Ј100 to highly recommended entries also will be distributed. Additional contest requirements can be seen on the CBA web site at http://www.oneworld.org/cba/dev_pubs/storules.htm Winners will assign broadcasting rights for 10 years to CBA to pass on to its members but retain the copyright. Winners also assign publication rights for 10 years to the CBA and Commonwealth Foundation. Both these rights are nonexclusive.

Entries typewritten on one side of a sheet of paper should be sent by May 1, 1999, to The Secretary-General, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, 17 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1AA, United Kingdom. Fax: (44-171) 583-5549. Entries may be submitted by e-mail to cba@cba.org.uk.