DESCRIPTION OF CATEGORIES:

1 and 2. Poetry: Poems, rhymed or unrhymed, in any style, may be in stanzas or free verse.

3. Flash Fiction: up to 250 words, exclusive of title, telling a story with a beginning, middle and end.

4. Children's Stories for readers ages 3 to 8: Stories can be for pre-school or elementary age readers, but do not have to include both age groups. Stories for teens and young adults should be entered in the Fiction for Adults category. (Do not send illustrations.)

5. Articles of General Interest: Compositions of general information, not personal in nature, about history, people, events, or places; suitable for publication in newspapers, magazines or journals.

6. Compositions of Inspiration: Compositions about a person or event that inspired the writer or others. May be prose, drama, or script. Do not have to be religious in nature.

7. Memoirs/Nostalgia: Writing of a more personal nature that takes the writer and reader back to a former time. A family member or mentor may have guided or offered encouragement, or an event may evoke heartfelt emotions in the writer or reader. Remember when...?

8. Fiction: Stories for adults or teens may be mainstream or genre fiction, including mystery/suspense, romance, western, science fiction, fantasy, horror, action/adventure, contemporary, historical, literary, or other.

9, and 10. Novel: The first 10 pages AND a synopsis of no more than one page, double-spaced. The synopsis should include information about the book's plot, characterization, and setting. The judges need to know where the book is headed and an idea of how the writer is going to get there. Please label which category (9 or 10).

You do NOT have to be a member of Abilene Writers Guild to enter or win the contest, nor do you have to attend the workshop/awards luncheon.

ALL ENTRIES: This must be your original work, unpublished as of October 1, 2009. Publication on the Internet is publication unless the publication is limited as to access. Your entry must not have earned a cash award in any previous AWG annual contest. Honorable Mentions from past contests may be re-entered. (Any AWG monthly members contest entry is eligible.) Use font size 11 or 12. No fancy fonts! Text should be on only one side of each page.

COVER SHEET: Each entry must have a cover sheet. Put name, complete address, telephone number, and e-mail address in upper left corner. In upper right corner, list category and number of words or lines. Novel entries do not need to list word count. Double-space 6 times and center the title. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON ANY OTHER PAGE.

PROSE: Entries must be typed and double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Double-space eight times, center title, double-space again, and begin manuscript. On each succeeding page of manuscript, type title and page number in upper right corner, without author's name.

POETRY: Poems must be typed, but may be single-spaced and may begin at top of page. List number of text lines in upper right corner. On each succeeding page, type title and page number in upper right corner without author's name.

MAILING PROCEDURES: Entries must be postmarked no earlier than October 1, 2009 and not later than November 30, 2009. Email entries are not accepted. Fasten cover sheet and manuscript of each entry with a paper clip. DO NOT STAPLE ANYTHING. Entries that do not conform to these rules may be disqualified. Send SASE if you wish your entry returned, or if you want judges' comments. SASE must include adequate postage in order for entries to be returned. Our judges often write comments directly on the manuscript; we recommend a SASE sufficient to return the manuscript. Failure to include an SASE with sufficient postage results in your entry being destroyed after May 31, 2010. Entries must be mailed to the address below or brought to AWG October or November meeting.

FEES: $5.00 for each short piece, $10.00 for each book entry. Make money order or check payable to ABILENE WRITERS GUILD. Entries not meeting guidelines will be disregarded and entry fees will not be refunded.

CRITIQUES: Each entry will be judged, some by a first-round judge, and selected finalists will advance to final judging. Our judges, professionals in their fields, are asked to critique each manuscript, but we cannot guarantee that all judges will comply. Decisions of the judges are final. Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Workshop & Luncheon on Saturday, March 27, 2010.