The competition, for junior FNZAS club affiliated members only, runs from AGM to AGM (June to June). It doesn't matter when I receive an article within that 12 months as it goes in the next magazine with available space. Magazines go out Feb, May , Aug and Nov. To be eligible for this 12 month period I would need the article by March 31st 2010 at the latest as that is the cut-off date for the May edition (the last before the AGM).
As to what to write about - as long as it is aquatic related, just about anything goes. Remember photos are good!
Have you set up a tank recently? How did you do it?
Bred a fish? What sort? Tell us about the fish, what conditions they require, how you bred them etc.
Had a plant flower out the top of the tank? What conditions did the plant require?
Do you keep turtles or axolotls?
Either write about some aspect of fish keeping you know, or have tried, or research a fish or plant etc that interests you.
The junior who won this year wrote an article on breeding his celestial pearl danios. He also wrote about making a cave for his kribs. He has written about other species of fish too.
Have you tried a bit of DIY with something? Built a filter? A tank background?
The possibilities are endless. If you have an idea you aren't sure will be suitable, PM or email me about it and I will help all I can.