2009 MWA Short Works Contest

Maryland Writers' Association
PO Box 41671
Baltimore, MD 21203

Announcing the MWA 2009 Short Works Contest

Contest Overview:

Each entry for the Short Works Contest must be original, unpublished, and in the English language. Membership in the MWA is not a requirement for participation or winning in the contest. Failure to follow the published guidelines and rules will disqualify the entry. Contest deadline is March 14 (postmarked), 2009.

Entries will be accepted in the following categories:

Poetry
Short Fiction
Creative Nonfiction
Editorial Essay

Prizes:

1st Place - $100, publication in Scribble of poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, and a certificate, to be awarded at the June 10, 2009 MWA Annual Meeting.
2nd Place - $75 and a certificate, to be awarded at the June 10, 2009 MWA Annual Meeting.
3rd Place - $50 and a certificate, to be awarded at the June 10, 2009 MWA Annual Meeting.

Entries must conform to the following guidelines and formatting instructions: Length restrictions: fiction/creative nonfiction/editorial essay, maximum of 3,000 words; poetry, no longer than 30 lines. Up to five poems may be entered under each entry fee, but no more than five pages total. All submissions must be double-spaced in a font of 12 point (Times New Roman preferred) and printed on 8.5" x 11" white paper. Pages should be numbered. The author's name must not appear anywhere on the actual manuscript. Include a cover page stating category, title, author's name, address, phone number, email, and a brief author's biography.

Rules:

Winners will be contacted by the director of the MWA 2009 Short Works Contest. Winners also will be announced at the MWA Annual Meeting on June 10, 2009. Entrants will receive a list of winners if they enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope in their submission package. No manuscripts will be returned. The decisions of the judges are final.

No substitution can be made for any prize. Any category receiving fewer than seven entries will not be judged; no prizes will be awarded in those categories and entry fees will be refunded. Likewise, should no entry in a category be suitable for publication, no prize will be awarded in that category and the entry fees will be refunded.

Entry Fee:

$13 (MWA members)
$16 (non-members)

Make check payable to Maryland Writers' Association and mail entries to:

MWA Short Works Writing Contest
c/o Kerry Dunnington
220 Stoneyford Road
Baltimore, MD 21210

Deadline:

Entries must be postmarked by March 14, 2009. For more information, contact Kerry Dunnington at thisbookcooks@verizon.net