The story what I wrote….

You leave university determined to write an iconic novel, adapt it for the big screen and direct the quirky British hit film. But you need some cash to live off during its creation and, 10 years later, you’re in your third agency and there’s more than 20 years left until you pay off your two-bed flat in Clapham.

Thankfully, help is at hand. Forget the novel, literary fame can be yours for just 2000 words by entering the British Computer Society’s short-story competition to celebrate its 50th anniversary. No, really.

Before you rush off to create your masterpiece, there are some criteria. Of particular note:

1. The story must “have a plot involving information technology,” which means you’ll have to resist the temptation to plug your clients.

2. “Authors must not be professional writers, ie not have earned money from their work in the past two years.” Which means you’ll be competing against the majority of the UK’s freelance technology journalists.

3. Your efforts are restricted to “one entry only per author.” Although “nom-de-plumes” are accepted, so you’re limited to as many names as you can think of.

In the news release David Clarke, BCS chief executive, explains the hardest part of all. "The stories must have a plot involving information technology, either in the past, present or in years to come.”

So, stories set in a fourth paradigm of time of which we are as yet unaware are not allowed. Phew, good job he pointed that out.

The judging panel includes Jasper Fforde (sci-fi writer), Chris Green (wi-fi writer), Brian Runciman (paperback writer) and Claire Davenport (cucumber raita). Deadline is 29th June 2007.

Whilst we wouldn’t even contemplate attending the BCS annual dinner, there is something that really appeals to us about this competition.

Tech PRs are meant to know technology. Tech PRs are meant to be creative. TWL may enter. Perhaps you should too.

Or maybe 20 of us should write 100 words each….