2009 Contest Rules

Rules and entry forms for the 2009 SWC Writers' Contest are posted below so you may highlight and copy them. You may also request MSWord attachments of the documents from shreveportwriters@hotmail.com or by sending a self-addressed, STAMPED envelope to the Contest Coordinator at the address below.

Shreveport Writers Club
Contest Rules 2009

1. All entries must be original work of author and unpublished as of September 19, 2009. Entries may not have won any prize in previous SWC contests.

2. All entries must be printed in black ink (font size 12 or 14) on one side of 8 ½” x 11” white paper only. No fancy fonts.

3. Prose entries must be double spaced, one side of paper only, with one inch margins. Poetry entries may be single spaced.

4. On each page of manuscript type title and page number (if more than one page) in upper right corner. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON ANY SHEET OF THE MANUSCRIPT. AUTHOR’S NAME GOES ONLY ON THE COVER SHEET, so entries may be anonymous to judges.

5. Each entry must have a cover sheet. Use a separate cover sheet for each entry. Put author’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and TITLE of manuscript in center of cover sheet. Below that, list CATEGORY and word length for prose or line length for poetry.

DO NOT PUT AUTHOR’S NAME ON ANY PAGE EXCEPT COVER SHEET.

BE SURE TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT IS ON COVER SHEET.

BE SURE EACH PAGE OF MANUSCRIPT HAS CORRECT TITLE AND
PAGE NUMBER (if more than one page in length.)

Fasten cover sheet to each entry with a paper clip. DO NOT STAPLE ANYTHING.

6. Correct entry fee must accompany each entry. Make checks payable to Shreveport Writers Club. YOU MAY SUBMIT MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ANY CATEGORY, with proper fee for each included in a single check, and in a single envelope.

7. Entry fees:

SWC Members// Non Members:

Poetry: $5 per entry//$7 per entry

Prose: $10 per entry//$15 per entry

8. Entries that do not conform to rules may be disqualified and discarded, no fees returned.

9. No entries will be returned. Entries received after the deadline will be discarded but checks will be returned. Decisions of judges will be final.

10. Any category that does not receive at least five entries will be declared “No Contest” and fees will be returned to entrants.


11. Categories:

Rhymed poetry or poetry in formal forms – 32 lines maximum

Unrhymed poetry – 32 lines maximum

Non-fiction, including personal essays of Memoir/Nostalgia/Inspiration – 1500 words maximum

Short Fiction – mainstream or genre, including Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Western, Sci/fi or Horror, Historical, Young Adult, etc. No erotica. 3000 words maximum.

Novel Excerpt – same genres as above. 3000 words maximum, from the beginning of the novel, plus an additional one-page, double-spaced summary of the entire plot.

12. Prizes to be awarded in each poetry category:

First Prize - $25.00
Second Prize - $15.00
Third Prize - $10.00

13. Prizes to be awarded in each prose category:

First Prize - $50.00
Second Prize - $30.00
Third Prize - $20.00

14. Top ten entries in each category will receive a written critique.

15. Deadline: SWC must receive all mailed submissions no later than September 19, 2009.
Mail entries to:

Shreveport Writers Club
Contest Coordinator
P.O. Box 544
Shreveport LA 71162

OR entries may be hand-delivered to club meeting at Broadmoor Library in Shreveport,
on September 26, 2009.

16. Awards of First Place, Second Place and Third Place for each category will be presented at the SWC Christmas Party and Awards Ceremony on December 12, 11:30 a.m., location to be announced. Winners unable to attend will receive checks and critiques by mail.

17. A complete list of winners, including top ten entries, will be posted at http://shrevewriters.blogspot.com on December 13, 2009. Top ten critique sheets not picked up at the awards luncheon will be mailed.


Shreveport Writers Club 2009 Contest Entry Form

Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

Phone: (___)_________________________

Email address: _______________________

Have you previously paid SWC dues for 2009-2010?
_____Yes _____No

SWC membership fee is $20 per year. Non-members may join now.

SWC Member:

Total number of poetry entries: ___ x $5= ___
Total number of prose entries: ___ x $10= ___
Membership (optional, as needed) $20 ___
TOTAL enclosed: ______

SWC Non-member:

Total number of poetry entries: ___ x $7= ___
Total number of prose entries: ___ x $15= ___
TOTAL enclosed: ______


I plan to attend the Contest Awards Ceremony
___ YES ___ NO


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Detach above and mail to address below

Make check or money order payable to: Shreveport Writers Club

Shreveport Writers Club Christmas Party and Contest Awards Ceremony will be held on December 12, 11:30 a.m., site to be announced. Please check the website: www.shrevewriters.blogspot.com

Join Shreveport Writers Club now! The Shreveport Writers Club has been a support group for writers since 1935. Amateur or professional writers are welcome. The club meets on the last Saturday of each month, January – October, 10 a.m. to noon, Broadmoor Public Library, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive, Shreveport, LA. November and December meetings vary.

MAIL TO:
Shreveport Writers Club
Contest Coordinator
P.O. Box 544
Shreveport, LA 71162

Mailed entries must be received by September 19, 2009, or hand-delivered to the September 26 meeting. Late entries will be discarded, but checks will be returned. Please read contest rules carefully, as non-conforming entries may be disqualified.