Rules

1. The contest is open to all writers, non-published or published. Multiple category entries are permitted.
2. Each entry must be accompanied by an entry fee of $8.00/ETWA members or $10.00/non-member. If entering two or more titles, one check may be written to cover the total fee. Entry fees are to be mailed to: ETWA, PO Box 10177, Longview, TX 75608.
3. Entries in electronic format are preferred for all genres. Electronic entries should be attached as a Microsoft Word document or in RTF (rich text format) to an email and sent to: etwritersassn@gmail.com.  If you do not have access to the Internet, then three copies of each entry must be placed in a 10” X 13“ (or larger) envelope and postmarked by July 6, 2009, or delivered to the hands of the contest coordinator by that date.
4. Each paper entry must be accompanied with a SASE or entry(ies) and/or awards cannot be returned by mail.
5. Each entry must have a cover sheet attached with the author’s name, mailing address, category, and email address if applicable.
6. Each entry must have the work’s title and page number in the header.
7. Entries must not be published or under contract for publication prior to entry. If entry is contracted after entry deadline and prior to October 6, 2009, author must notify contest coordinator and remove entry from the contest.

Categories

1. Fiction – Adult Novels all genres; state genre and word count on cover page and in header. Genres will be sub-divided when a minimum of 5 entries is reached for a specific genre. Any genre not reaching minimum of 5 entries will be placed in a general novel category and judged as a group. (synopsis & 1^st 25 pages)

Genre categories are:

Romance – Contemporary or Historical

            Historical – not romance

Mainstream

Science Fiction

Fantasy

Western

1. Fiction – Children’s, Juvenile, Young Adult; state level and word count on cover page and in header (25 pgs max)
2. Fiction – Short Story (5,000 word max)
3. Non-Fiction – state whether book length or article on cover page and in header, include word count (1^st 25 pages)
4. Poetry (40 lines max)

Format Rules

Short Stories and All Books

 All entries must:

1. be in Times New Roman 12 point font or Courier New 12 point font
2. have 1” margins on all sides
3. be double-spaced
4. Print entries only: Send 3 print copies of each entry-one copy with author’s name included in header with title and two copies without author’s name in the header.

Poems

 All entries must:

1. be in Times New Roman 12 point font or Courier New 12 point font
2. have 1” margins on all sides
3. no longer than 40 lines
4. Print entries only: Send 3 print copies of each entry-one copy with author’s name included in header with title and two copies without author’s name in the header.

Awards

Each category reaching minimum entry levels (5) will be awarded 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd place. Honorable Mention will be awarded if deemed applicable by the judge in the category.

1^st Place – $25 & certificate

2^nd Place – $15 & certificate

3^rd Place – $10 & certificate

Honorable Mention – certificate

All decisions of the judges will be final.

Contest awards will be presented at the ETWA meeting on October 9, 2009. The ETWA meeting will be held at Casa Ole next to Kroger, Spur 63/McCann Road, Longview, Texas. Meeting time is 6:30 p.m.