[Chris O'Carroll]

Bill Greenwell, Basil Ransome-Davies, and I all got our names into another competitor's winning entry this week. Of the three of us, I was the only one not to win a prize of his own. Bill took the top prize.

I'm following John Whitworth's good example -- although I guess Jayne Osborn gets the actual credit for the idea -- by including the deadline date for the next competition in the headline. I'll try to remember to do that from now on.

No 4222

Set by Leonora Casement
There are many writing courses around, but what about some “Handy Hints” to would-be writers for a particular magazine or newspaper of your choice. Max 150 words by 5 April comp@newstatesman.co.uk