Tales From the Tall Grass Prairie Writers’ Contest 2023

DEADLINE EXTENSION…

We are pleased and encouraged by the number of submissions received for the Tales from the Tall Grass Prairie 2023 Writers’ Contest. Nonetheless, we have decided to extend the deadline for entries one month, postmarked July, 12, 2023, as we hope for an even bigger launching of an event we expect to become an annual celebration of the written word.

Awards will be presented at 6:00 P.M. during the Farmers & Artisans Market, with winning authors reading their compostions, August 30th, 2023, and with Jeff James as the Master of Ceremonies!

All guidelines and rules have remained the same.

2023 Writers’ Contest | Guidelines & Rules

Eligibility

• Contest is open to anyone over 18 years of age.

Criteria

• Submissions must be original.
• All entries must follow the rules in this document.

Contest Categories

• FLASH FICTION (up to 1,000 words) – Flash fiction often contains the classic story elements: protagonist, conflict, obstacles, and resolution. However, unlike traditional short story, the limited word length often forces some of these elements to remain unwritten, yet hinted at or implied in the written storyline.
• HUMOROUS ESSAY (up to 1,000 words) – A humorous essay is a familiar essay prompting the reader to smile, chuckle and laugh outloud; its primary aim is to amuse readers rather than informing or pursuading them. Humorous essays in this category will rely on life experiences written with humor.

Entry Fees – $15.00 per entry

• MAIL-IN ENTRY: print your entry form, fill it out completely and sign it. Attach your check made out to Writers’ Group and mail to:  Cultural Centre in Bird Island, PO Box 434, Bird Island MN 55310.
• IN-PERSON ENTRY: print your entry form, fill it out completely and sign it. Bring cash or check to the Cultural Centre in Bird Island and give it to the treasurer, Mark Glesener.

Tales From the Tall Grass Prairie Writers Contest Submission Form

HOW TO SUBMIT TO THE 2023 CCBI WRITERS’ CONTEST

1. You may submit up to two entries for each category. Each entry will require a separate fee. However, you may only win one time in either category.

2. Do not put your name on any pages of your entry; your name, phone number, and email address, along with the title of your entry, go on the cover page. Adding your name to any page of the entry besides the cover page will result in disqualification.

3. All entries must be printed in Times New Roman 12-point type and double-spaced as a WORD document.

• • • Use one-inch margins all around.
    • Indent each paragraph.
    • Entries must be typed according to appropriate professional form.
    • The title of the work and a page number should appear on every printed page.
    • Entries must be in good taste.
    • Do not use fancy or script fonts for your text, except when stating character thoughts, which must be in italics.

4. Do not include illustrations or pictures in the manuscript.

5. Do not staple pages together; use a paperclip.

6. Submit entry in 10 x 13″ envelope with cover page and entry form included.

7. Any deviation from these rules could be a basis for disqualification.

Review the guidelines one final time before submitting. No re-submissions will be accepted. Congratulations! You have taken a bold step toward believing in yourself and your writing.

DEADLINE

The contest dealine is July 12, 2023. Any entries mailed in and postmarked by July 12, 2023 will be accepted. Be aware that if you miss a post office pick-up deadline, the postmark will be for the next day, so be sure to get it in the mail in time. You can bring the entry or entries to the Cultural Centre in Bird Island in an unmarked 10 x 13 inch envelope and give it to Mark or Rosemary Glesener who will in turn give it to a judging committee member.

JUDGING

Contest entries will be blind-judged by professionals who may/or may not be members of the Cultural Centre Writers’ Group. The judges will remain annonymous. Entries will be judged on the criteria set on their judging forms. Written feedback will be given on all winning enteries.

AWARDS

Awards will be presented on June 17, 2023 at the Tales From the Tall Grass Prairie Show held on June 17, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00PM at the Cultural Centre in Bird Island.

Flash Fiction -1st Place, $100.00; 2nd Place $50.00

Humorous Essay -1st Place, $100.00; 2nd Place $50.00

All 3rd place winners will be awarded an Individual Annual Membership to CCBI ($35.00 value)

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.