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Whidbey Island Writers Association

Benefactor's Award Writing Contest

2008 Contest Winners

Open to Registered Conference Attendees

 

The Benefactor's Award Writing Contest honors benefactors whose generosity supports writers, literary arts and our Association's educational programs. Honored benefactors and recipients of the grand prize award include:

  • 2008 Candace Allen & Bob Richardson Benefactors' Award -- Gail Madden
  • 2007 JoAnne Kane Kane Benefactor's Award -- Kimberly Davis
  • 2006 Elizabeth George Benefactor's Award -- Lois Edstrom
  • 2005 Nancy Nordhoff Benefactor's Award -- Diana Greenwood

This contest offers attendees an opportunity to experience the requirements for:

  1. Meeting a deadline
  2. Preparing a submission
  3. Experiencing feedback from outside sources
  4. Receiving recognition for writing expertise.

The contest is open to all registered conference attendees. Categories include: essay, short fiction, children's literature, and poetry. Members of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference team are not eligible.

Conference participants may submit one entry in each genre. Multiple submissions in any one genre will result in disqualification.

Submissions must be postmarked on or before February 1; no exceptions. Winners will be formally announced during conference.  Mail entry either with registration or separately to:

Whidbey Island Writers Association
P.O. Box 1289
Langley, WA 98260

Submission of manuscript constitutes permission to use the material and/or the author's name for conference publicity. The manuscript of the recipient of the Benefactors Award will be published in WIWA's magazine, Soundings Review. Copyright, except as stated here, remains the property of the author.

Manuscripts and judges' comments will be returned only with SASE.

Entry fee: $5.00 members, $10.00 nonmembers.

Format for entries

  • Poetry: two copies of up to fifty lines, typed, using standard size (10 - 12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, author's name, address, phone number.
  • Fiction: two copies, up to 2000 words, double-spaced, typed, using standard size (10 -12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, genre (fiction), author's name, address, phone number.
  • Essay: two copies, up to 2000 words, double-spaced, typed, using standard size (10 - 12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, genre, author's name, address, phone number.
  • Children's Literature: two copies, up to 1500 words, double-spaced, typed, using standard size (10-12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, genre, author's name, address, phone number.

Judging

Judging will be "blind" (remember, no names on manuscripts). Preliminary judges, members of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference staff, will include critique sheets with manuscripts. Each category will include one winner and three runners-up. An overall winner will be selected from the first place manuscripts.

Awards

Winners will receive awards during the formal announcement.

No exceptions to the submission guidelines will be made. This is your opportunity to practice meeting professional marketing requirements.