CENTRAL OREGON WRITERS GUILD

ANNUAL CONTEST - Jan 1 - Feb 29, 2020. 

 The mission of Central Oregon Writers Guild is to provide and encourage a creative environment and support system for aspiring and acclaimed writers of all ages in all genres. Since its beginning in 2002, COWG provides monthly meetings with great speakers and the opportunity to network with other writers.

CONTEST DETAILS:

SUBMISSION TIMEFRAME: JANUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 29, 2020

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  Midnight FEBRUARY 29, 2020

AWARDS:

Cash prizes:

   $50.00 to 1st place winners in all Genres.

   $25.00 to 2nd place winners in all Genres.

WINNERS SHOWCASE EVENT: 1st and 2nd place winners from each genre in each age group will read their winning pieces in Bend, Oregon on May 16, 2020.

PUBLISHING: All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners agree to have their winning pieces published by COWG.

AUTHOR READINGS: Winners may also be featured in author presentations/readings at central Oregon bookstores and other venues.

NOTIFICATION: Winners will be notified via email in early April, 2020.

AGE GROUPS AND GENRES:

ADULT WRITERS (Age 19 and over on Jan 1, 2020.) 4 GENRES One entry per person per Genre. Entry must be original, unpublished work. Traditionally or Self-published work cannot be submitted to this contest.

   1. FICTION – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double-spaced.  One complete story or novel excerpt in any fiction genre.

   2. POETRY – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Single-spaced—double-spaced between stanzas. One complete poem on any subject.

  3. NONFICTION - Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double-spaced. One complete story in any nonfiction genre.

   4. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE - CHILDREN / MIDDLE GRADE / PICTURE BOOKS - Maximum length for PICTURE BOOKS is 500 words, all other submissions 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double-spaced. One complete story.

YOUTH WRITERS (Age 18 and under on Jan 1, 2020) 4 GENRES One entry per person per Genre. Entry must be original, unpublished work. Traditionally or Self-published work cannot be submitted to this contest.

   1. FICTION – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double-spaced. One complete story or novel excerpt in any fiction genre.

   2. POETRY – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Single-spaced—double-spaced between stanzas. One complete poem on any subject.

   3. NONFICTION - Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double-spaced. One complete story in any nonfiction genre.

   4. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE - CHILDREN / MIDDLE GRADE / PICTURE BOOKS - Maximum length for PICTURE BOOKS is 500 words, all other submissions 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double-spaced. One complete story.

RULES for Submissions:

1. Eligibility: The COWG Writing Contest is open to Oregon residents, as well as all members of Central Oregon Writers Guild, regardless of residence. One entry is allowed per person per genre. In other words, you may enter one submission in each genre for your age group.

2. Contest Timeframe: Submissions will be accepted beginning January 1, 2020 through midnight February 29, 2020. Submissions received after midnight on February 29, 2020 will not be accepted.

3. General Formatting: Entries must be typed, double-spaced (Poetry may be single-spaced) in 12-point legible font (e.g. Times New Roman), have page numbers, and be submitted as a .doc or .docx.

4. Title: All entries must have a TITLE and GENRE at the top of the first page.

5. Confidentiality: Do not put author’s name on manuscript.

6. Original work: All entries must be original, unpublished work of the author. Traditionally or Self-published work, including articles and books in any format, cannot be submitted to this contest.

7. Judging: Entries will be judged anonymously and judges’ decisions will be final.

8. Contest Fees: COWG Members $10.00, Adult Non-members $35.00 (includes 2020 COWG membership). Youth 18 & under nonmembers $15 (includes 2020 COWG membership). Fee for additional entries after the first one: $10/entry. CONTEST FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.

9. Notification to entrants: Each entrant will be notified via email that their entry has been received.

Please direct questions about the writing contest to: centraloregonwritersguild@gmail.com. Put the word CONTEST in the subject line.

QUESTIONS: 

Please direct questions to: centraloregonwritersguild@gmail.com