BRATTLEBORO — Write Action announced its 15th annual Poetry and Prose Writing Contest for adults and teens, according to a news release. Entries will be judged anonymously. Each category will be judged by an esteemed writer from the tri-state area. Judge for both prose and poetry in the youth category is Nancy Olson, retired head of the Brattleboro Union High School English Department. Judge for adult poetry is J. Kates; for prose it is Joe Mazur.
The first-place winners in both categories will be awarded $100, the second-place winners $50, and third-place winners $25. First-place winners will have the opportunity to read in the Spotlight Reading at this year's Literary Festival. All entries, online or through the mail, must be dated no later than June 30. There is no theme this year.
Writers may submit up to three pieces of prose writing, or five poems. The first poem or prose piece is free; $5 for each entry after that (up to four more poems or two more prose pieces). Checks should be made out to Write Action. For online submissions, payment may be made via PayPal at writeaction.org.
There is a Youth category for ages 14-18: First-place winners in poetry and prose will be awarded a $25 gift certificate. There will be honorable mentions in each category. Up to three entries are allowed. They may be all poetry or all prose or a combination. There are no fees for the Youth Category. Entries may be sent via email or postal service.
Entries that don't conform to the guidelines will be disqualified.
Email entries as one document (except cover letter with contact information and titles sent as separate document) to [email protected], with WA Contest in the subject line, or send a hard copy of your submission to: Write Action Contest, P.O. Box 822, Brattleboro, VT 05302 (postmarked and emailed no later than June 30) Winners will be announced the first week in August.
Prose entries must be no more than 1,500 words each (double-spaced, 12-point type); Poems are limited to one page each (may be single-spaced). No more than one poem to a page, each to be judged separately. The author's name shouldn't appear in any form on the submitted piece(s), only on one cover page per submission, listing name, contact information, and titles.
Include phone number, email address, and postal address on cover page only, for anonymous judging. Youth entries: indicate on cover page “Youth Entry.”
Eligible writers must live in southern Vermont or the tri-state region of southeastern Vermont.