41st Annual Writers Conference

Writing Contest

Friday, April 14, 2023 — Submission deadline (must be registered)

Registrants may submit up to one entry in one or more of the five categories with an accompanying $20 fee for each submission.

First, second and third place will be awarded and a new $100 award will be announced at the closing ceremony.

• First-place prize: Free registration to the next Writers Conference
• Second-place prize: $50 discount to the next Writers Conference
• Third-place prize: $25 discount to the next Writers Conference

Judges

• Fiction: Heidi Hartwiger
• Nonfiction: Joanna Eleftheriou
• Poetry: Serena Fusek
• Young Adult Fiction: Sylvia Liu
• Juvenile Fiction: Jennifer "Jen" Malia

Writing Contest Entry Submission

Entries may be mailed or delivered to:

or emailed to lifelonglearning@cnu.edu.

Christopher Newport students may submit entries to Dr. Kara Keeling

Writing Contest Rules

1. All entries must be original, unpublished manuscripts (work that appears in on-campus publications or online publications is considered published and may not be submitted).
2. All entries must be double-spaced in 12-point, Times New Roman font on 8.5x11-inch white paper.
3. There must be a removable title page (e.g. paper clipped) with the author’s name, address, category, and title.
4. Title and page number must appear on each page of all entries. Your name or other identifying information should not appear.
5. The word count for each category is:
   • Fiction, YA Fiction & Juvenile Fiction: one story or book chapter, not to exceed 3,000 words
   • Nonfiction: one article or book chapter, not to exceed 3,000 words
   • Poetry: one poem, not to exceed 100 lines
6. Judges have been requested to comment in writing (length at their discretion).
7. Failure to follow contest rules or cancellation of registration will disqualify entry.
8. Entries may be picked up at the close of the conference or within 30 days at the LLS office.