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ANNUAL
WRITING CONTEST
$1,000 in total prize monies!
1st place winners published!
Annual Short Story
The short stories are judged on plot, setting, character development, use of dialogue, and mechanics. For reference, writers may utilize Judging Criteria Guide.
Personal Essay
Like a memoir only shorter, a personal essay is a specific true moment from the author's past that involves reflection of how (the incident, subject, etc.) affected the author. A well crafted personal essay uses intimate and specific details of the senses to purposefully resonate with the reader. May be inclusive of data research specific to the essay.
*Enter submissions starting January 1, 2016*
Deadline! MARCH 9, 2016
Contest is open to current PSWG Members only.
Not a member? Become a member!
Membership fee must be received prior to contest submission.
*Celebrity Judge*
Maggie Downs, M.F.A.
Entry Fee: $20.00
Additional story or personal essay entries: $15.00 each
Entry Rules:
All members must login to enable registration and complete the online contest entry form.
Contest Entry per category: $20.00 *Contestants may submit entries to both categories.
Additional entry: $15.00 *Additional entry is limited to one per category.
1.Submission requires an online contest entry form and subsequent payment.
2. Online Submission only! Submissions are to be emailed as attachments in MSWordDocument (.doc or .docx). Any other file format will be disqualified.
3. Format is double-spaced, 12 point, Times Roman or Times New Roman font.
4. Word Count: Minimum 2,000 word count. Maximum 3,500 word maximum including title.
5. Must appear on each page:
- Title of submission
- Page number
- Word count of submission
6. Author’s name MUST NOT appear anywhere on the submitted work.
7. Submissions must be an original, unpublished (print or electronic) written work and an unposted, non-previous prize winner.
8. Contest Entry Fee payments via PayPal or Guest of PayPal must be paid at time of completing Contest Entry Form. *Check payments will be accepted. Mail checks to PO Box 947, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. Checks must be received PRIOR to MARCH 9, 2015.
Please note: failure to comply with the rules will result in a disqualification. Disqualified applicants and non- winners are not reimbursed application fees.
At contest conclusion, sumbissions will be deleted. Critique of your work is not provided for this contest.
How to fill out online registration:
Step 1: To enable registration, please be sure you have successfully logged in with your email and password.
Step 2: Click "Register" button, fill out online entry form and follow prompts for payment. Credit card payment is available and is immediate.
Step 3: After payment is processed, an automatic email will be sent to you with instructions for electronic (email) submission.
Contest Prize List for Annual Short Story Contest:
- 1st Place: $250 & publication of winning story in Palm Springs Life Magazine.
- 2nd Place: $150 & winning certificate.
- 3rd Place: $100 & winning certificate.
Contest Prize List for Personal Essay Contest:
- 1st Place: $250 & publication of winning story in Coachella Review. A literary journal published through the MFA program at UCR.
- 2nd Place: $150 & winning certificate.
- 3rd Place: $100 & winning certificate.
For questions regarding this contest, please email Kathy Bjork ANNUALSHORTSTORYCONTEST.PSWG@gmail.com
