Call For Entries: Entries accepted beginning April 1, 2015.
Eligibility: All writers from any locale are welcome to submit entries except SLO NightWriters Board members, Contest Committee members, CCWC advisory members and Contest Judges. Entries must be the original unpublished works of the authors and not previously accepted for publication. Co-authored works are not eligible.
Theme: The theme of the 2015 Golden Quill Awards is TRANSFORMATION. All entries must depict this theme.
Each entry must depict the theme, interpreted as you like.
Categories:
Short Fiction: 1,000 to 1,200 words
Poetry: Up to 40 lines
Flash Fiction: Up to 500 words
Short Fiction and Flash Fiction must comprise a complete story within the word limits.
Prizes:
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
Short Fiction and Poetry:
- First Place $1,000
- Second Place $500
- Third Place $100
Flash Fiction:
- First Place $500
- Second Place $100
- Third Place $50
A Social Security number is required to process all winning payments and will be asked for after judging is finalized.
Finalists:
All top finalists will receive Finalist Certificates.
Fees and Payments:
Applicants may enter more than one category, and more than one entry in any category, but must pay an entry fee for each entry. Entry fees: Short Fiction and Poetry – $20; Flash Fiction – $15.00
Payment:
Payments are accepted online at www.TheGoldenQuillAwards.Com on the Enter HereLink
or at www.slonightwriters.org on the Writing Contest Entry Fees button in the left margin. Follow instructions for using either PayPal or your credit card.
Payments may be accepted by check. Make the check payable to: SLO NightWriters and mail to Golden Quill Awards Writing Contest, PO Box 6241, Los Osos, CA 93402. Include a separate sheet with the title of piece(s), category(ies) and author name.
Deadline:
July 15, 2105. All entries must be received by this date to be eligible. All entries must be paid in full by this date to be eligible.
Judging:
Contest Judges will score each entry. Judging will be blind – the contestant’s name will not be included with the entry. A standardized quantitative scoring sheet will be used by each judge. The decisions of the judges are final.
Please reference the Contest Website www.TheGoldenQuillAwards.com Judging Criteria for full detail.
Formatting Instructions:
All entries must follow this formatting in order to be eligible. Submissions that do not comply with these instructions will not qualify for entry:
• All entries must be typed and submitted electronically (contact us for exceptions)
• Use 12-point size Courier, Times New Roman or Ariel type font only
• Use Word .doc or .docx only
• Short Fiction and Flash Fiction must be double-spaced with a minimum of 1” margins all around, and include page numbers
• Poems may be creatively spaced and formatted; include page numbers if needed
• At the top of each page of each entry type the title, entry category and word/line count only
• No identifying information is to be placed on the entry itself
• Each entry must be accompanied by a separate cover page with the following information:
Cover Page:
Each entry must be accompanied by a separate cover page that includes all of the below:
• Author name, first and last
• Title of entry and entry category
• Exact word count for prose; line count for poetry
• Author’s mailing address, phone number and email address
• How and where you heard about this contest
Submission:
Submit entries electronically via email only (contact us for exceptions) to: TheGoldenQuillAwards@gmail.com.
Submit the separate cover sheet with each entry submission.
Entries and cover sheets must be submitted as attachments to the email. Type the entry title and author’s last name on the Subject Line of the email.
Failure to follow formatting instructions or submit a cover sheet will result in disqualification.
Entry fees are not refundable and must be paid prior to entry submission.
Entries will not be returned.
Payment of contest entry fees signifies you have read, understand and agree to the terms of all contest rules.
Notification:
Winning entrants will be notified by September, 2015.
Announcements:
Winners will be announced at the Central Coast Writers Conference at Cuesta College September 18-20, 2015, and winners will be invited to read their winning entries at the SLO NightWriters Awards Ceremony October 13, 2015.
Publication: All rights belong to the authors.
The Golden Quill Awards, SLO NightWriters and the Central Coast Writers Conference may request permission to announce and publish winning entries on their websites and other media.
>via: http://www.thegoldenquillawards.com/p/basic-rules.html