Monday, June 2, 2014

Literary Contests--For Kansans and Writers In Other States



Here we are in a brand new month. The shine has not left June as this is only its second day. When I was growing up, June meant the end of school was near. We usually got out sometime in the second week of that month. Later, June meant graduation and still later, my wedding. It also meant summer had arrived. The pools were open, ice cream shops did lots more business that usual and it was watermelon time.

In my writing life, June brings a deadline for our state authors club literary contest. It's June 15th this year. Open to both  members and non-members of the Kansas Authors Club (a statewide organization), the contest gives opportunities to both poets and prose writers. Several categories are available in each section. 

Fees are $4 for members and $6 for non-members per entry. The theme category gives prizes of $100, $50 and $25 while the other categories award $25, $15 and $10 prizes plus Honorable Mentions. It's not a high cost entry fee. 

For the rules and guidelines, go to this page . Please note that the contest is for those who are Kansas residents whether they belong to the Kansas Authors Club or not, and also to any member of the Kansas Authors Club, no matter where they reside. 

The Theme category this year is "Salt of the Earth" with the reason being that the state convention will be held in Hutchinson, KS in October, 2014. Hutchinson is home of a renowned underground salt mine. I have not been able to come up with an entry that fits the theme, but I have two weeks left for a revelation to hit me. 

Many of my readers don't live in Kansas. Not to worry! Google your own state literary contest and see what you come up with. It's fun to write to a special theme and easy enough to go through your files to find unpublished work that might fit a particular category. Don't get discouraged about contests. Somebody has to win and it might as well be you. Don't enter? Can't win! 

I wrote a blog post a little over 2 years ago that addressed writing contests. Might be worth a read to give you the inspiration to enter one. Check it out here.

Whatever contest you enter, remember to follow the Guidelines to the letter!


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