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

                                      AWGs ANNUAL CONTEST 2025 RULES & CATEGORIES

                                                     Open to anyone age 15 and over          

                                     PRIZES!!   Categories 1-4    Categories 5-10

                                      First                  $70                      $100

                                     Second             $50                      $70                                                                       

                                     Third                $30                      $45

MAIL CONTEST ENTRIES TO: 

S. Ellison, 862 Grand Ave, Abilene TX 79605 

Email Questions to:  AWGWrite@gmail.com

 
Please send us a similar Registration page:

Your phone number:__________________________

Your name: __________________________________

Street address:_______________________________

City/Zip:____________________________________ 

Your email address:___________________________

Send cash, OR make check or money order payable to: AWG

Please list number of entries in each category:

Categories 1-4  = _____($7.00 each)  =   $__________________

Categories 5-8 = _____ ($10.00 each)   =  $__________________ 

Category 9 = _______ ($15.00 each)    = $___________________

Check Number ____________         Grand total  $ ____________

Enter as many times as you wish in one or multiple categories!

PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES:

1.  Entries must be postmarked between Oct. 1, 2025, and Nov. 30, 2025.

2.  Categories with 5 or fewer entries are not eligible for prizes but may be critiqued IF judges agree.  See categories, details and fees below.

3.  All entries must be your original work, unpublished as of Oct. 1, 2025. 

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. Any AWG monthly members-only-contest entry is eligible if it fits the category.  Font size 12, Times New Roman preferred.  Type on one side of page.

4. Separate COVER SHEETS required 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.   

Middle of page below corners, center your TITLE on the cover sheet.

5.  Do NOT count the title in your word count.  Author’s name ONLY on the cover sheet.

6. First page of your entry (Poetry/Flash Fiction) categories 1-4: List category and number of lines or words in Upper Right Corner.  Center the TITLE of the entry between the corners; double space down and begin.  Single space these entries. (Title only on this page; NO author’s name!)

7. First page all other categories: One-inch margins. 
Upper right corner: list category and number of words. CENTER THE TITLE, then double-space entire manuscript.  On all following pages: in upper right corner, list entry title & page #.

8. Mail Entries!  STAPLE COVER SHEET TO EACH ENTRY!.  Attach payment to entries with a paper clip!  Fill in registration form or facsimile. Enclose self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage to return your entries and/or prize if you win. Otherwise, entries will be discarded on or after May 31, 2024. (One stamp per 5 pages in a #10 letter-size envelope. When in doubt, check with your post office.)  Our judges are asked to critique each entry, but we cannot guarantee same. If you are in our area, you may bring entries to AWG’s October and November meetings.

9. Reminder: As in other 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 in March 2026, and will be listed on our Website by April 15, 2026.  Prizes will be mailed to winners who cannot attend the Workshop, but we must have your SASE.  Please watch our website and/or Newsletter for location date, time and other details of the March 2026 Workshop. Entries will be available for pickup immediately following the Workshop.

                CATEGORIES                                                        Max Words/Lines, Entry Fees

1. Rhymed Poetry, any style                                                      50 lines               $ 7

2. Unrhymed Poetry, any style                                                  50 lines              $ 7

The five prompt words must be used in Categories 3 and 4.*

*3. Flash Poetry:                                                                        100 words            $ 7                                                           *concerned, immediate, noteworthy, tabloid, linked*

*4. Flash Fiction:                                                                         100 words          $ 7                                                           * yelled, thrilled, discombobulated, certain, bored *                                                                          

5. Children’s Stories, Preschool/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+                           1200 words         $10

9. Creative Non-Fiction (informational/factual )                 1200 words         $10

10. Science Fiction; Fantasy, for teens+                                 2500 words         $15

Reminder: enter as many times as you wish in one or multiple categories!      

JOIN US! If you are not already a member of AWG, and especially  if you don’t live in our area, you can join us for $25 individually or $35 for a family.

You will receive our wonderful monthly Newsletter and be eligible for our Monthly Members-Only Contests along with other interesting information.  Sorry, we do not accept credit cards.