Six Categories ! Easy to Enter ! Cash Prizes
2009 Writers-Editors Network 26th Annual International Writing Competition Guidelines & Rules
(fomerly CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition)
Who Can Enter
The contest is open to all writers. You do not have to be a member of Writers-Editors Network. However, members save up to 50% on entry fees. (Membership information)
Deadline
Entries must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2009.
Divisions & Categories
Nonfiction Division: (A) Previously Published Article/Essay/Column/Nonfiction Book Chapter — (B) Unpublished or self-published Article/Essay/Column/Nonfiction Book Chapter
Fiction Division: (C) Unpublished or self-published Short Story —
(D) Unpublished or self-published Novel Chapter
Children's Literature Division: (E) Unpublished or self-published Short Story/Nonfiction Article/Book Chapter/Poem (judged together as one category)
Poetry Division: (F) Unpublished or self-published Free Verse/Traditional (judged together as one category)
Awards & Prizes
First Place in each Category - $100 plus certificate
Second Place in each Category - $75 plus certificate
Third Place in each Category - $50 plus certificate
Honorable Mention certificates will be awarded in each category as warranted
Winner Notification
Winners' certificates/awards will be mailed no later than May 31, 2009.
Winners List will be posted on writers-editors.com — around May 31, 2009 (See Winners for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 2007, 2008.)
Entry Fees
Entry fee of $5 (active or new Writers-Editors Network members) or $10 (non-members) must accompany each fiction/nonfiction entry under 3,000 words.
Entry fee of $10 (members) or $20 (non-members) must accompany each entry of 3,000 words to 5,000 words.
Entry fee of $3 (members) or $5 (non-members) must accompany each poem entered.
General Guidelines
Indicate Division and Category of each entry on upper right corner of first page of manuscript.
Entries must be unpublished (except for Nonfiction/Previously Published Article/Essay/Book Chapter category), with the exception of self-published material, which may be entered in all unpublished categories.
Previously Published Article/Column/Nonfiction Book Chapter category entries may be submitted in double-spaced manuscript format or copies of published material – if writer's name is unrecognizable. Only one book chapter per entry - and do NOT submit complete book.
Length: 5,000 words maximum. Children's Literature entries must adhere to typical type, age, and length guidelines in order to be judged favorably.
Enter as many manuscripts in as many categories as you wish. Entry fee and a separate Official Entry Form must accompany each entry (and each poem); photocopies of the entry form are acceptable.
Entries not conforming to contest rules will be disqualified; entry fees will not be returned.
Use paper clips only. Do not staple manuscript pages, entry forms or checks.
Author's name must NOT appear on any entry.
Indicate Division and Category of each entry on upper right corner of first page of manuscript.
Submit text only in a readable font, such as Times Roman or Arial.
Other Information
Acknowledgment of receipt of manuscripts will be made only if you enclose a self-addressed postcard (with adequate postage). Manuscripts CANNOT be returned; therefore, legible photocopies or computer printouts are suggested for submission.
For list of winners, send self-addressed, stamped #10 (business size 4"x9½") envelope marked "winners" on the outside. Winners list will be mailed by May 31, plus will be posted on www.writers-editors.com. (One envelope only; not one per category.)
Neither entries nor winners will be published in an anthology or other publication; authors retain all rights to their works.
Specific Division/Category Guidelines
Nonfiction Division
- Previously Published must show name of magazine, newspaper or website in which it was published.
- Essay/Column can be opinion, personal experience, nostalgia, think-piece, or humor.
Fiction Division
- For Short Story, indicate whether Literary, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Western on first page.
- Indicate book title on Fiction/Novel Chapter entry; chapter title or # if entering more than one chapter of same book - but each chapter must be a separate entry and have a separate entry fee.
Children's Literature Division
- Indicate the age group of your readers and the word count on first page of entry.
- Also on the first page, specify the category of children's literature: Poem, Short Story, Book Chapter, Article, etc.
- Do not include art, illustrations, or bound copies of a book. Entries cannot be returned.
Poetry Division
- Include the poem's line count and whether Free Verse or Traditional on the manuscript page.
- For traditional metered and syllabic poems, specify the form, such as Sonnet, Villanelle, Sestina, or Renga.
- Each entry must be a single poem, not a book of verse.
Judging Criteria
Presentation (format, follows rules, neatness, spelling, punctuation, grammar, print quality).
Suitability (correct category, correct age group and appropriate length if children's division).
Tightness, clarity, structure, strength of lead/beginning, transitions, impact, satisfactory close.
Nonfiction: Logic; use of quotes, statistics and anecdotes; order; provocative idea; lead and close.
Fiction: Characterization, conflict, dialogue, plotting, beginning, ending, figures of speech.
Poetry: Fresh concept, cadence or rhythmic beat, sound echoes, any other device (such as figurative language) that appeals to the imagination or engages the reader's senses; and for traditional verse, adherence to form.
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OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM - 2009 Writers-Editors Network Writing Competition - postmark deadline 3/15/2009
A separate form must accompany each entry (and each poem); click here for a separate, printer-friendly Entry Form (or you can use this one).
1. Author's name _______________________________________________
Note how you want your name on Winners List/Certificate if different from this:
_____________________________________________________________
2. Author's mailing address ____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Author's phone number (______) ________________
4. Author's E-mail: _______________________________________
5. TITLE of entry ______________________________________________
6. FIRST LINE of entry _________________________________________
7. Circle Division/Category of this entry:
A-Nonfiction/Previously Published B-Nonfiction/Unpublished or Self-published
C-Fiction/Short Story D-Fiction/Novel Chapter
E-Children's/ Short Story / Nonfiction Article / Book Chapter / Poem (circle one of these four)
F-Poetry/ Free Verse / Traditional (circle one of these two)
8. ENTRY FEE (check one and enclose):
/ / $3, I am a current Writers-Editors Network member or am joining at this time (dues also enclosed), and entry is one poem
/ / $5, I am not a member and am not joining at this time, and entry is one poem
/ / $5, I am a current Writers-Editors Network member or am joining at this time (dues also enclosed), and entry is under 3,000 words
/ / $10, I am not a member and am not joining at this time and entry is between 3,000 and 5,000 words.
/ / $10, I am a current Writers-Editors Network member (or membership dues enclosed) and entry is 3,000 words or longer
/ / $20, I am not a member and am not joining at this time and entry is between 3,000 and 5,000 words.
/ / I have enclosed membership dues of $_____ (see Membership page for choices).
Make entry fee check or money order payable to: CNW Publshing. One check may be written to cover multiple entries if all are mailed in same package (but enclose separate entry forms for each entry). (US $ only)
If entry fees/dues total $25 or more, you may charge to: VISA, MasterCard, Amex (but only if all in same package). Charge will appear on your credit card statement as "Cassell Commun/CNW Publish." Send SASE if you want a credit card receipt mailed to you.
Card # ___________________________________________ exp. ___________
credit card signature ________________________________ Amt: _________ (min $25)
NEW for 2009 - You can submit your entry fees via PayPal to danakcnw@ncia.net (a verified PayPal user since 2000) - Be sure to note with your payment the title(s) and/or first line of your entry or entries. Then mail your entry or entries via postal mail along with entry form(s) - We will e-mail you confirmation when we have received and matched up your entry fees and entries.
9. SEND entry form(s), with fee(s) attached, to: CNW Publishing, PO Box A, North Stratford NH 03590. Postmark deadline for 2009 competition is March 15, 2009.
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