ONE OF THE CONCERNS raised among writers and editors about cutbacks in newspaper sections has to do with the next generation. Where will young critics have a chance to work (and get paid to do it before a reasonably large audience). It’s worth remembering Virginia Woolf, Saul Bellow, and many other writers began their writing lives reviewing books in this fashion for journals and newspapers. The London Review of Books is stepping in to fill some of the gap. They are sponsoring a Young Reviewers Competition. Here, below, is the competition’s description in its entirety.

The London Review of Books is holding a competition for young reviewers. The prize for the best entry is £1000 and a one-year subscription to the LRB. Prizes may also be awarded for runners-up.

Each entrant should submit one review, praising or unpraising, between 2500 and 3000 words long, of any work of fiction or poetry published after the beginning of 2007. The review must be original, unpublished work (it is allowed to have appeared in a student periodical).

Entrants must be under the age of 26 at the closing date, 2 June 2008.

Please send submissions, along with contact details, to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (as an attachment), or by post to:

The Editors
London Review of Books
28 Little Russell Street
London
WC1A 2HN

We regret that we are unable to acknowledge receipt of entries.