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  • Category Definitions
  • Guidelines & Rules
  • F.A.Q's
  • 2010 Winners
  • 2010 Finalists
  • 2009 Winners
  • 2009 Finalists
  • 2008 Winners
  • 2008 Finalists
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    		 2010 PNWA Literary Contest Submission Guidelines & Rules

    For additional questions, please write to:

    staff@pnwa.org or call: 425.673.2665

    Mailing address: please download our contest entry form which includes the mailing address.

    The 2010 PNWA Literary Contest presents an opportunity for writers to showcase their unpublished work.

    Contest Categories

    1. Mainstream

    7. Non-Fiction Book/Memoir

    2 .Historical Genre

    8. Screen Writing

    3. Romance Genre

    9. Poetry

    4. Mystery/Thriller Genre

    10. Short Story

    5. Science Fiction/Fantasy Genre

    11. Children’s Picture Book or Chapter Book

    6. Young Adult Novel

    12. Adult Short Topics: Article/Essay/ Short Memoir


    Awards and Benefits
    The eight finalists in each category will be notified before June 2010 prior to the PNWA Summer Conference on July 22 - 25, 2010. Award Winners will be announced at the conference.      

    Every entry accepted in the contest will receive two –critiques—a useful tool for any writer.

    Finalists who attend the PNWA Summer Conference will receive a Finalist ribbon for their name badge, giving them high visibility to the agents and editors at the conference. Finalists’ manuscripts will be made available to agents and editors during the conference. In addition, finalists entries are read and judged by an agent or editor to determine the top three in each category.

    Winners are given the opportunity to attend the Agents and Editors Reception at the PNWA Summer Conference.


    Awards will be given as follows:
    First Place: $600 and the Zola Award
    The Zola Award honors founding member Zola Helen Ross for her vision in creating a writing community more than 50 years ago.
     Second Place: $300
    Third Place: $150

     

    SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR CONTEST CATEGORIES

    NEW POLICY: Entries must be RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 19, 2010.

    • The entry must follow the rules shown in the PNWA
    • Literary Contest Rules.
    • The contest category number must appear on the     outside of the mailing envelope your entry is sent in.
    • All pages of the submission must have the category number, manuscript title, and page number listed in the upper right-hand corner. (Category number, manuscript title and page number DO NOT need to fall within the 1” magin requirement.)
    • Do not type your name on any page of the submission. Your name should only appear on your registration form, envelope, and return envelope.


    NOTE: Requirements that apply to all categories are stated in the Contest Rules; those that are specific to each category are listed here.

    BOOK-LENGTH WORKS: Fiction & Non-Fiction
    Each of the following categories has the same submission guidelines as described below:
    Category 1: Mainstream
    Category 2: Historical
    Category 3: Romance
    Category 4: Mystery/Thriller
    Category 5: Science Fiction/Fantasy
    Category 6: Young Adult
    Category 7: Non-Fiction Book/Memoir (Does not include pictures)

     

    Submission Guidelines for categories 1-7:
    • Maximum length: 28 pages. The 28 page limit includes the synopsis and the first and consecutive chapters (beginning with chapter one or prologue). The entire entry must be double-spaced, in 12point Times New Roman or Times (Mac).
    • Synopsis: no more than five pages, must be double-spaced. The synopsis page numbers must be listed separately from your manuscript entry. Click here to download materials on writing a synopsis.

    Category 8: Screen Writing
    Category 9: Poetry
    • Submit three finished poems, one poem per page.
    • Single-space within each stanza, double-space between stanzas.
    • Maximum length of collection: 3 pages.
    • Use 12point Times New Roman or Times (Mac).

    Category 10: Short Story
    • Submit one complete fiction short story intended for adult readers.
    • Use standard double-spaced manuscript format.
    • May be mainstream or genre fiction.
    • Maximum length: 14 pages.
    • Use 12point Times New Roman or Times (Mac).

    Category 11: Children’s Picture/Chapter Book
    Submit one of the two listed below:                                                  
    1. Text for a picture book (no illustrations/images of any kind), use standard double-spaced manuscript format.
    2. The first 14 pages of a children’s chapter book.
    • Maximum length: 14 pages.
    • Use 12point Times New Roman or Times (Mac).
                           
    Category 12: Adult Short Topics: Article/Essay/Short Memoir
    • Submit one complete article, essay or short memoir.
    • Use standard double-spaced manuscript format.
    • Maximum length: 10 pages.
    • Use 12point Times New Roman or Times (Mac).


    2010 PNWA LITERARY CONTEST RULES:
    FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN CONTEST DISQUALIFICATION.


    1.  All entries must be ORIGINAL and NOT PREVIOUSLY ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION OR PRODUCTION at the time of submission.

    2.  Entries must be received by FEBRUARY 19, 2010.

    3.  A completed CONTEST REGISTRATION FORM, together with the FULL ENTRY FEE and a #10 SASE (Regular business size, Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) must accompany each entry. The   Registration form, envelope, and SASE are the ONLY places the author’s name should appear (SASE will be used to return the two completed critiques.) NOTE:  International Entries must enclose either one International Reply Coupon or sufficient US postage on the SASE (used to return the two completed critiques). Foreign currency will not be accepted.

    4.  Single-sided printing only.

    5.  THREE clean copies of your entry, including THREE copies of any required synopsis must be included. Each copy must be separated with a color sheet of paper. Each submission is judged and critiqued by two separate qualified readers. The written critiques will be sent to the author. ENTRIES WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO AUTHOR, THEY WILL BE SHREDDED.

    6.  Category Restrictions:
    • A submission may be entered in only one category.
    • An author may enter only one submission per category.
    • An author may enter multiple submissions only if the submissions are different for each category, and each category has only one submission by that author. Multiple entries to a single category DISQUALIFIES ALL OF THEM.
    7.  Each entry must use a separate entry form. The entry fee is required for each entry.

    8.  All entries MUST:
    • Be typed or computer-printed.
    • Typed or printed on standard 81/2 x 11 WHITE paper (one sided).
    • Have 1” margins all around.
    • 12 point Times New Roman or Times (Mac). If you are using a typewriter, you may use either elite or pica type. (Exception: for Screen Writing, use 12 point Courier font.)
    • Each page of your submission must have the category number, manuscript title and page number located in the upper right-hand corner (except Screen Writing).
    9.  All categories (EXCEPT Category 8: Screen Writing and Category 9: Poetry) must.
    • Be double-spaced.
    • Use an unjustified (ragged) right margin.
    • Indent the first line of each paragraph.
    • Indicate scene breaks (such as: POV/Location/Time change) by three spaced asterisks.

    10. Your name must NOT appear on any page of the submission.  Your name should only be located on your envelope, registration form, and return SASE.

    11. Non-refundable fee for each entry:
    • PNWA member: $35.00
    • Non-member: $50.00
    12. Failure to follow instructions will result in disqualification. Should your entry be disqualified, you will receive a letter stating the reason for disqualification and, time permitting, an opportunity to resubmit at no additional charge.