AWG Members-Only Monthly Contest

You must enter to win!
Enter several works each month
No entry fee

• Exclusive: Only AWG members in good standing may enter our monthly contests.
  
  Write for category and topic. Contests expand our comfort zone by writing on specific topics, writing for a deadline, and receiving comments.
  
  Pay careful attention to the guidelines.
  
  
• Eligibility: Entries must be member’s original work, unpublished at entry deadline. Internet posting counts as publication. Entries must not have won a money prize in any other AWG contest.
  
  
• Cover Sheet: Each entry must include a cover sheet. Top left: name, address, telephone, and email. Top right: word or line count, category, and entry month. Center of page: title of work.
  
  
• Prose Format: Type or print manuscript on one side of paper, double-spaced, with minimum one-inch margins. Top right: page number. Do not include your name. Word Count: 1000 words maximum or as noted.
  
  
• Poetry Format: Type or print poem on one side of paper, may be single-spaced, with minimum one-inch margins. Top right: number of lines. Do not include your name. Length: 50 lines maximum.
  
  
• Return: Members can claim entries at monthly meetings. Or, include a return envelope, self-addressed and stamped. Those not claimed or mailed will be discarded.
  
  
• Judges are not members of the Abilene Writers Guild and are not required to critique entries. Judging is based on reader reaction only. Their choice of first, second, third, and honorable mention is final.
  
  
• Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by the 10th day of the month. Early entries are accepted at any time. Clearly mark the envelope with month for judging.
  
  
• Prizes: $15 first prize, $10 second prize, $5 third prize in each category.
  
  If fewer than five entries are received, categories will be combined and no money awarded for 2nd or 3rd place. If one category has fewer than three entries, no money will be awarded in that category. The judges, at their discretion, may find no entry in a category merits an award.
  
  
• Topics & Categories: One category per entry. Interpret any way you want. Be creative!

Feb - Hearts or Balloons
unrhymed poetry, memoir/nostalgia, flash fiction (under 20 words)

March - Family Heritage
article, humor, inspirational

April - Spring Storms
rhymed poetry, scary fiction (under 200 words), memoir/nostalgia

May - Memorials to Keep
unrhymed poetry, inspirational, fiction (any genre)

June - A Taste of Summer
humorous poetry or limerick, children’s fiction, flash fiction (under 100 words)

July - ???

August - ???

Mail to:

AWG Contest, “Month” (e.g. August)
Karen Witemeyer
58 Augusta Drive, Abilene TX 79606

Only members outside the United States may enter by email

Entries in the monthly contests, even those winning money, can be submitted to the Annual Contest.