Again this year, On-the-Town is presenting local poets and prose writers with a great publishing opportunity. Writers may submit their poetry and prose to compete for the 2009 Literary Awards. Winners will receive a cash prize and winning entries will be published in On-the-Town, as well as on its website. Young poets, don't miss out on a chance to see your poem in print and help your pocket book as well. Then carefully follow the guidelines below, which recently appeared in On-the-Town, to make sure that your submission is eligible to win!
2009 Festival Literary Award Guidelines
Please note: Submissions not following the guidelines may be disqualified from the competition.
All entries must be postmarked February 27, 2009 (mailing address is P.O. Box 499, Jenison, Michigan, 49429-0499) or hand delivered to the On-the-Town office, 2141 Port Sheldon Road, by 4 p.m. February 27, 2009.
The categories are Adult Fiction, 1,000 words or less, Non-Adult Fiction, 1,000 words or less, and Poetry.
Under each category are the following divisions: Adult, 19 and over; Young Adult, ages 13 to 18, and Children, 12 and under.
All entries must have a separate sheet of paper with name, address, phone number, category, and division.
Example: Joanne Bailey, 3232 Courtfield Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 77224. 616-222-5151. Poetry, Adult.
No name or any other identifying information may appear on the actual story or poem.
Submissions should NOT be stapled together. Cover sheet should NOT be stapled to entry. Items may be paperclip.
Two copies of every submission must be entered unless following electronic submissions. (Please see below for electronic submissions.)
All adult and young adult entries should be typed. (Submissions may be typed by another person other than the author.) Submissions for children may be written but be clear with proper spacing.
Please no artwork with submissions.
One entry per person per category.
Due to the volume of entries received, we can NOT return entries.
The competition is blind judged, meaning the judges receive the entry with a number on it and no information on who wrote the piece. The judges' decisions are final.
Electronic Submissions
Only submissions sent to festivalliterary@live.com will be accepted.
Electronic submissions must be dated February 27, 2009 and received on or before that date.
All electronic submissions must be typewritten with a cover sheet and follow the above guidelines.
Further questions, please email festivalliterary@live.com and put question in the subhead.
Excerpts of winning entries will be published in the May issue of On-the-Town. All winning entries will be posted at www.mlive.com/onthetown
Winners receive a cash prize from Festival.