SEARCY — The White County Creative Writers of Searcy is offering 16 contests designed to test writers’ skills as novelists, short-story writers, poets, essayists or nonfiction writers.
Three entries are available for novelists. Submissions include three chapters of a Western novel; the first chapter of a romance; or the first 12 pages of a fantasy novel, plus a threepage synopsis.
Short-story writers can submit in five categories: a children’s story; two short fiction stores, any genre; a short romance fiction story; and a fictional romance about young leprechauns.
Poets have three categories: a free-verse poem, a Chinquapin Sequence poem and a rhymed narrative poem.
Four essay subjects include “The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”; an essay ona season of the year or season of your life; an essay about someone in your family who is important to you; and an inspirational essay.
Nonfiction writing includes a science or math article for young readers. “The deadline for entering the contests is July 26,” said Christine Henderson, conference chairwoman. “We’ll announce the winners at our 15th annual Writers Conference in September.”
Winners not attending the conference will be notified by mail the week after the conference. Contest entrance fees are $5 for the first entry and $3 for each additional entry, she said.
“Only one typed, unpublished manuscript may be entered in each contest,” Henderson said. “No entry may be entered in more than one contest.”
Cash prizes are $25 for firstplace, $15 for second place and $10 for third place. Honorable mentions will receive a certificate, and the Cinquain Sequence honorable mentions will each receive $5.
WCCW is not responsible for manuscripts lost, delayed or received too late for judging. No entries will be returned.
Mail all contest entries and fees by July 26 to Dot Hatfield, 802 W. Center, Beebe, AR 72012. For entry forms and more information, visit the WCCW website, www.whitecountycreativewriters. org. For more information about contests or regulations, call (501) 882-7132 or e-mail dothatfield@sbcglobal.com.
Three Rivers, Pages 55 on 06/24/2010