The LitOct Anthology Has Arrived!

We’re thrilled to announce that the first-ever LitOct Writing Competition Anthology is now available to purchase through the Southlands Arts website — and at a selection of independent bookstores with the help of Kite Tangle.

This beautiful collector’s edition marks the culmination of over two years of dedicated work from Jayne Towndrow and Paula O’Shea, supported by a number of wonderful contributors along the way. Their vision and persistence have brought the LitOct project to life in a way that truly celebrates our creative community.

The anthology brings together Book 1: A is for Apple and Book 2: Penning the Elements in one stunning volume, complete with an exclusive cover illustration by Luke Bryant, foreword from Jayne Towndrow, and blurbs from Elizabeth Drummond and Denise Beddows. More than just a book, it represents the imagination, talent, and storytelling spirit of writers who have taken part in the competition since its inception.

All profits from the anthology will go directly towards supporting Southlands Arts Centre and helping to fund next year’s prize pot — ensuring the LitOct competition continues to inspire emerging writers for years to come.

Whether you’ve entered the competition, had your work featured, or simply love discovering new voices, we hope this anthology brings you as much joy as it brought us to create. After so much hard work, finally holding this book in our hands is incredibly rewarding — and we can’t wait to see what stories next year will bring.

Here’s to creativity, community, and another fantastic year of LitOct! ✨📚