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2021 AWC Contest List

LITERARY AWARD RULES

1. AWARDS made only if contest fee of $20 enabling one to enter all contests unless otherwise instructed. (OUT-OF-STATE entrants are limited to Ten (10) contests), check or money order made payable to Arkansas Writers’ Conference and mailed on or before APRIL 23, 2021 to Ellen Withers, 1815 Columbia Drive, Conway, AR 72034 Must Include Contest Registration Form & entry fee. Conference registration does not include this entry fee.

2. DEADLINE for postmarking manuscripts is APRIL 23, 2021. Entries destroyed two weeks after conference. AWC not responsible for manuscripts lost, delayed in mail, or received too late for judging. Do not send SASE. No manuscript returned. No winners’ list mailed but will be posted on the website, www.arkansaswritersconference.com.

3. Only one typed, unpublished manuscript can be entered in more than one contest. Double-space prose, single-space poetry. Use only 12-point font. Standard manuscript form as stated by www.whitecountycreativewriters.org listed below. Meet all contest specifications including word, line, and page limit.

4. NO MANUSCRIPT MAY BE ENTERED IN MORE THAN ONE CONTEST. No one may enter contest for which he/she is sponsor, chairman, or judge. 2020 AWC first place contest winners may not enter a contest this year if it is identical. If contestants do not adhere to all rules, entries will be disqualified.

5. PUT CONTEST NUMBER AND NAME OF AWARD in upper left corner of each entry. Do not put your name on any manuscript. Do not staple. Use paper clips. Attach a cover sheet to each entry with: (1) Number and name of contest; (2) Title of entry; (3) First line of entry; (4) Your name, phone number, and mailing address.

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Formatting for Contests

1. Use a simple type style like Times Roman or Courier, 12 point preferred, on a letter quality printer. DO NOT use fancy type faces or script styles. The goal is to make the manuscript look professional and pleasant to read.

2. Use white copy paper, 20 pound or better, 8-1/2 x 11 inches. NO onion skin, lined or colored stock.

3. Follow contest rules for identification of manuscripts. Name/address should not to appear on judges’ copy.

4. Double space all prose manuscripts. Poetry may be single-spaced. DO NOT justify right-hand margins. Allow 1 to 1-1/2 inch margins all around.

5. Drop down about half-way on the first page then center your title. DO Not put your name below the title, unless the contest rules call for it.

6. Start your text below the title indenting each paragraph 5 spaces. DO NOT add extra space between paragraphs.

7. Contests can vary on header requirements, but usually require the name of the contest to be placed in the upper left corner and the page number and word count should be placed in the upper right corner. Check the rules for any specific instructions on this issue. The text should begin 3 or 4 spaces below this header.

8. Type on one side of paper only. Paper clip the finished pages together - do not staple unless instructed to do so - and do not put the manuscript in a folder.

THIS FORM MUST ACCOMPANY FEE

AWC CONTEST REGISTRATION FORM

Enclosed is my $20 contest registration fee. I understand this allows me to enter as many contests as I choose (see contest list for restrictions). This contest fee does not include the conference registration fee. Complete address is needed for the mailing of award monies and certificates.

Name:____________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State __________ Zip Code: _______

Phone: _____________________ Email: ________________________________________

Mail this form by April 23rd with check or money order payable to NLAPW/AWC to: Ellen Withers, 1815 Columbia Drive, Conway, AR 72034

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Literary Contests

Contests 1-5 CONFERENCE ATTENDEES and/or ARKANSAS RESIDENTS. Cash Awards Vary.

1. Carl J Iannacone Memorial Award ($50/$30/$20) Short Story. Subject: College Graduation Ceremony. 1500 words max. Chair: Brenda Iannacone

2. WOW! Press Award. ($50/$30/$20) My One Bright Light in the Year of Covid Pandemic, Short Memoir 1000 Words Chair: Janis F. Kearney

3. Mistletoe Award. ($50/$30/$20) Short Story. Subject: Value of a Pound Puppy. 1500 words max. Chair: Brenda Iannacone

4. Youth Prose, ($25/$15/$10) Short Story-humorous adventure. Subject: Favorite holiday. 2000 words. Open only to youth age 10-17. Contest fee and conference registration fee for youth is free. Chair: Sara Gipson

5. Dilemma Award. ($25/15/$10) Short Story. Charity Donations.: Which group deserves it the most. 1200 word max. Chair: Brenda Iannacone

Contests 6-16 OPEN TO ALL. Cash Awards for contests 6-16 vary.

6. The Erdel Family Memorial Award. ($20/$15/$10) Paranormal Romance Short Story. 2000 words. Romance with elements beyond the range of scientific explanation. No erotica or slasher/horror. Chair: Ellen Withers.

7. MAKE A WISH CONTEST ($25/$15/$10) Fantasy Short Story. Protagonist finds a magic lamp; G/PG rating. 1500-2000 word limit. Chair: Kim Vernon/Gary Rodgers.

8. Del Garrett’s Gimme The Creeps. ($25/15/$10) Horror. Funny Short Story (no slashers) about a wedding or other party in a haunted house or graveyard. 1500 words max. Chair: Del Garrett Indicate willingness to be published in upcoming anthology.

9. The Great Escape ($25/$15/$10). Solve the Thief of an Art Masterpiece: Who Did the Crime and How did they leave the scene when all doors had 24/7 live camera surveillience. Short Story. 1200 words. Chair: Brenda Iannacone

10. Fiction Who-Dunnit Award. ($50/$30/$20). Short Mystery Story. The Case of the Missing Cow. 1500 words. Chair: Brenda Iannacone

11. AR Pioneer Branch NLAPW Prose Award. ($50/$30/$20) Humorous short story about Home Repair. 1200 words Chair: Brenda Iannacone

12. AR Pioneer Branch NLAPW Poetry Award. ($50/$30/$20) Free Verse. Any subject. 24 line limit. Chair: Brenda Iannacone

13. White County Creative Writers Award (($25/$15/$10) High Falutin’ Western Adventure Must use these words- Cowboy, lasso, River, Dance and Varmint. 1500 words Chair: WCCW

14. LaViness Award for Living Mystery, ($25/$15/$10) Mystery Short Story: Any subject. Not a murder mystery, No deaths allowed. 2000 words max. Chair: Renee LaViness

15. Scott Plantation Settlement Award. ($25/$15/$10) Memoir or short story featuring a WWII veteran. 2500 words. www.scottconnections.org. Chair: Sara Gipson

16. Animal Perpective ($25/$15/$10) Short Story, 2000 words. Write from the point of view of your pet or any animal. Chair: Jennifer Landers

17. YOU GOT MY GOAT ($25/$15/$10) Subject: YaY! Fantasy Short Story. A lighthearted fantasy involving a disappearing goat. 2500 word max. Chair: Carol Hodges. For a brief critique, request on 1^st page of story.

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SPECIAL MEMORIAL AWARD CONTESTS (Open to All)

18. David Goodgame Memorial Award ($50/$30/$20). WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY CHILDRN...WHEN I LISTENED. Poetry. Free Verse. 30 line limit. Chair: Rita Goodgame

19. Henry & Betty Heidelberger Memorial Prose Award. ($25/$15/$10) Subject: What Does the Locked Trunk in the Attic Hold, 1200 word. Chair: Brenda Iannacone

20. Dorothy Truex Memorial Prose Award. ($25/$15/$10) Romance Short Story That occurs during a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet. 2000 words. Chair: Ellen Withers

21. Peggy Vining Memorial Essay Award. ($25/$15/$10) Subject: Best Anniversary Gift Ever. 750 word max. Chair: Pioneer Branch NLAPW

22. Jim Barton Memorial Poetry Award. ($25/$15/$10) Tricube-each line contains 3 syllables; each stanza contains 3 linesa; each poem contains 3 stanza. Subject: Any subject, no rules for rhymes, meter, etc. Length: 3 stanzas. Chair: Ellen Wither

23. Dusty Richards Memorial Prose Award. ($25/$15/$10) Western Short Story. A Western genre short story with one female character, doesn’t have to be main character. 2500 words. Chair: Ellen Withers

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2021 ARKANSAS WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

AWC Director: Brenda Iannacone

Email: bdiannacone@aol.com

Phone: (501) 960-5014