Caitlin Moran Launches Contest to Find New Writing Talent

Moran Champions Emerging Voices in Journalism Competition

Journalist and author Caitlin Moran is spearheading a new competition aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of writers. The initiative, run by the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME), seeks to bring fresh perspectives and voices into the media industry, particularly from backgrounds often underrepresented in journalism.

The “Lolmageddon” and the “Sassy War”

Moran began by discussing a recent phenomenon she’s dubbed the “Lolmageddon,” a term she uses to describe the surprising and often unsettlingly humorous tone emerging from international conflicts, specifically referencing the war in Iran. She noted how both governments involved have adopted a style reminiscent of overly sassy, sitcom-style dialogue, a stark contrast to the propaganda of previous eras.

“The Iranians have like for some reason… plumped on the idea that AI Lego figures of Trump uh and the rest of the American cabinet being going into kind of like cartoonish mishaps, falling over, melting, blowing themselves up,” Moran explained. “And that’s their propaganda now. It’s very different to the propaganda I remember from the Second World War. It uh it looks like I mean, it’s basically the Lego movie, but uh but war.”

Moran expressed concern that this casual, humorous approach to war, when employed by those in power, undermines the traditional role of humor as a tool for the oppressed. “Humor is for is for the downtrodden and the poor and the powerless,” she stated. “When the ruling classes are doing the lols um at the expense of the peasants that they’re blowing up, you’re suddenly like, ‘Oh, hang on. What have we got now?'” She believes this trivialization makes serious dialogue about such conflicts difficult, forcing people to be overly serious or risk mirroring the inappropriate tone.

Concerns Over Online Compulsions and Reality

The conversation then shifted to the online habits of public figures, particularly Donald Trump. Moran referenced a report about Trump’s late-night posting on Truth Social, drawing a comparison to her late father-in-law who had ADHD. “He reminds me so much of my late father-in-law who was who was my Greek father-in-law, a man with raging ADHD, very, very alpha man, very, very certain of his views. When he couldn’t sleep at night, he would just go and rearrange the garage,” she said.

Moran humorously suggested that Trump might benefit from a similar outlet: “I wish that Trump would just had a garage, he just needs to go and start out some garage with some velcro.” She also touched on a widely discussed image Trump posted, which he later claimed to have been a doctor, and then that it had been doctored. The presence of an unexplained, horned figure in the background of the original image also sparked a brief, curious discussion.

A New Initiative for Young Writers

Moran then revealed the primary reason for her appearance: the launch of the BSME’s competition for young writers. Having won her own career through a writing competition in the 1990s, she felt compelled to give back and address a growing concern within the industry.

“I noticed over the years is that obviously everybody in the room was getting older and older, including myself. But whenever I was talking to people in the smoking area and you talked about their backgrounds, it was increasingly middle and upper class,” Moran observed. “The amount of people who came from a council estate in Wolverhampton like me. Very, very min.”

She explained that the traditional path of blogging for free, while seemingly accessible, disadvantages those from less privileged backgrounds. “If you’re from a poor background because you’re probably having to earn some money in the daytime. So, you don’t have time to write in the daytime. When you’ve finished earning your money and you come home at night and you’re exhausted, that’s when you would start writing your free blog to try and get attention,” she said. This exhaustion means they can’t compete with those who have the luxury of writing when their energy is highest.

The Prize and Its Goals

The competition aims to provide financial support, mentorship, and a platform for aspiring writers aged 18 to 25. “There’s a huge pot of money that we can give out to the winners. There’s never going to be a defined amount of winners. If there are 12 great people that year, we will give the prize to 12. If there’s only one, we’ll give it to one. I will be mentoring all the finalists,” Moran stated.

Moran specifically appealed for more male applicants, as current social media algorithms seem to be reaching more women, creating an imbalance. “I want an equal balance. I want equality for men,” she emphasized.

Addressing Doubts About the Industry’s Future

When asked if encouraging young people into journalism felt like leading them “over a cliff” given the media industry’s challenges, Moran remained optimistic. She pointed to the continued existence of numerous niche magazines covering diverse interests, from budgies to motorbikes. “There are jobs out there. There is money to be made out there still. And I want to find that talent,” she asserted.

Moran believes that the influx of young writers from different backgrounds will be invigorating for the industry. “The way that they see the world, the presumptions that they make, the humor that they use, and the words that they use, it’s thrilling to read it. I I feel energized,” she shared. She sees this as a vital opportunity to capture perspectives from generations of writers who may have been missed.

The Joy and Mental Health Benefits of Writing

Moran also spoke passionately about the personal rewards of a writing career. She described interviews as opportunities to “audition to be their friend” and highlighted the ability to travel and meet fascinating people. Crucially, she emphasized the mental health benefits of writing, suggesting that the act of processing experiences through writing provides a healthy disconnect and a way to understand oneself.

“There’s a way of processing what’s happened to you in the day that you do with writing that you you don’t even do with talking,” Moran explained. “That process of writing isn’t just a job and an art. It’s actually part of who we are as humans.” She also reflected on her own memoir writing, explaining her approach of only writing about difficult experiences once she has found a solution or a positive way forward, rather than dwelling on raw trauma.

Advice for Aspiring Writers

For those facing a blank page, Moran offered practical advice. She suggested speaking thoughts out loud, as if performing a stand-up routine, and remembering that writing is essentially thinking and talking, which is then transcribed. “Once you realize you don’t have to write like any other writer, what would you say? What do you think? How are you going to put that down?” she encouraged.

She also stressed the importance of physical comfort, recommending a good chair and cushions, and advised writers to seek out subjects that scare them or are considered taboo. “If there’s something that scares you and particularly if it’s something that no one else has done, like for me, if there’s something that’s taboo or secret or dirty that no one wants to write about, I’m like that’s where I’m going with my torch and I’m banging a pan with a spoon and going, let’s do this whole field is free,” she said, highlighting the opportunity to explore uncharted territory.

The competition is open to individuals aged 18 to 25. More information can be found at www.bsme.com/youngwritersprize.

Source: The Lolmageddon: Why The Iran War Is Funny – And Why It Isn’t | Caitlin Moran (YouTube)