Annual Contest

Welcome

Objectives: To study methods of writing and research,
To develop our talents as writers,
To promote interest in writing, and
To encourage our fellow writers at all times

PLEASE NOTE! OUR ANNUAL CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

SUBMISSIONS WERE TO BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 30, 2022. Thank you to all who sent in entries! Awards will be announced at our Annual Workshop in March 2023.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council and HeARTS for the ARTS.

ABILENE WRITERS GUILD ANNUAL CONTEST 2022 RULES & CATEGORIES

General information:                                   website: abilenewritersguild.org

1. Open to any person 15 or older.

2. Entries must be postmarked between Oct. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2022!

3. Categories with fewer than 5 entries are not eligible for prizes but may be critiqued if judges agree.

4. Categories, descriptions, maximum lengths, entry fees: page 2. Do NOT count title in your word count.

5. All entries must be your original work, unpublished as of October 1, 2022. Publication on the internet IS publication. The work must not have earned a cash award in any PREVIOUS AWG Annual Contest. However, Honorable Mentions from past annual contests may be re-entered and any AWG monthly members-only contest entry is eligible IF it fits the category. Use font type 12: Times New Roman preferred. Type on one side of the page.

6. Separate Cover Sheets for each entry. Upper left corner: your name, complete address, phone number and email address. Upper right corner: category and number of words or lines. Space down to the middle of page and enter your title on the cover sheet.

7. First page, Poetry/Flash Fiction entries, categories 1-4: Upper right corner: category and number of lines or words. Do not count your title in the word count. Double space down, center your title, double space down again and begin manuscript. Single space. NO author’s name on this page.

8. First page, Prose Categories 5-9: Double space all pages with one-inch margins. Upper right corner: type category and number of words. Do not count your title in the word count. Double space down, center your title; double space down again and begin manuscript. On all following pages: type entry title and page number in upper right corner. NO author’s name on this or following pages.

Mail Entries Only: Staple your cover sheet to your entry. Attach payment with a paper clip to your entry. For multiple entries, be sure your check covers all entries and fill out the registration form or facsimile thereof. If you want your entry/entries returned, please provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage; otherwise, your entry will be discarded on or after May 31, 2023. (Needs one stamp per 5 pages in a #10 letter-size envelope.) Our judges, professionals in their fields, are asked to critique each entry, but we cannot guarantee same.

REMINDER: As in the majority of writing contests, entries not meeting the guidelines will be disqualified and fees will not be refunded. Please follow the rules carefully. Decisions of the judges are final. Winners will be announced at our Annual Awards Workshop to be held in March 2023 and will be published on our Website by April 15, 2023. Prizes will be mailed to winners who cannot attend the Workshop. Please check our website and/or Newsletter for location, date, time and other details of the March 2023 Workshop. Entries will be available for pickup immediately following the Workshop.

You may also bring entries to AWG’s October and November meetings if you are in the area.

   Prizes:                     Categories 1,2,3,4     Categories 5,6,7,8,9

                     First Place:                          $70                       $100

                    Second Place:                       45                           65

                    Third Place                           25                           35       ____________________________________________________________________

                    ABILENE WRITERS GUILD 2022 CONTEST ENTRY FORM

MAIL TO: AWG, c/o 862 Grand Ave, Abilene, TX 79605     Email questions: AWGWrite@gmail.com

Your email address:______________________________________________________

Printed Name: __________________________________________Phone:_____________________
Street Address: _______________________________City: _______________St:______

Zip:________

Make check or money order payable to: Abilene Writers Guild

        # of entries in Categories 1-4 ________   X $7 each =   $____________________

       # of entries in Categories 5-9   ________  X $10 each = $____________________

           Your Check Number____________________ TOTAL   $____________________

____________________________________________________________________

CATEGORIES                             MAXIMUM WORDS/LINES       ENTRY FEE

1. Poetry, Rhymed, any style                                                     50 lines                      $7

2. Poetry, Uhrhymed, any style                                                             50 lines    7

                         *Flash categories, 3 and 4, require use of the five prompt words:

*3. Flash Poetry: starlight, flood, amusement, flower, power           100 words                         7

*4. Flash Fiction: practical, audition, caretaker, thunderstorm, headstrong 100 words    7

5. Children’s stories               preschool or elementary-age readers     750 words             $10

6. Inspiration                          any form: prose, drama, religious         1200 words        10

7. Memoir/Nostalgia              take reader back to a former time         1200 words                10

8. Fiction for Adults               short story for teens and older               1200 words          10

9. Science Fiction                   short story for teens and older               1200 words             10

You may enter as many times as you wish in one or multiple categories!