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Thursday, August 30, 2012

FIRST EVER WRITING CONTEST


Inspired by the hard-working writers of the Facebook group Writers to Encourage, I am offering the following contest for all interested writers. Please read the instructions carefully.

RULES:

  1.  A complete short story, article, devotion (genre open) on 1-2 pages, single-spaced.
  2.  Story inspired by the picture below (two children on swings)
  3.  Minimum of 10 entries required for this to be a valid contest.
  4.  Contestants will not receive any feedback on their stories.
  5.  Contestants must be unpublished within the past 12 months.
  6.  Stories will be judged based on formatting, originality, reflection of the theme, and grammar and spelling, as well as good writing. Please see guidelines below for formatting guidelines.

DEADLINE: Thursday, September 6, 2012 (midnight). 

PRIZE: A copy of one of Darlene Franklin's latest books, A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas and Postmark:Christmas; or a brief critique (up to five pages). Also, if the author desires,  publication on this blog. 

SUBMISSION: Submit document as a word attachment via email to: belovedfranklin(at)msn(dot)com.
JUDGE: Judge: Darlene Franklin is the author of twenty novels and novellas, with five more coming out next year.  Among her books are BOTY (nor Carol) finalists Dressed in Scarlet (from Snowbound Colorado Christmas)  and A String of Murders as well as two books in the Texas Trails series from Rivernorth Fiction.  The prizes for this contest include the winner’s choice of her two September releases, A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas (historical romance) and Postmark: Christmas, a contemporary Christmas novella.

FORMATTING: 
  • Font: either Courier New or Times New Roman
  • Size: 12 point
  • Margins: 1" all around
  • Tabs: 5 spaces
  • Paragraphs: enter/1 tab first line of paragraph (exception: first line of story/chapter/section is left justified
  • Alignment: to the left, not justified
  • Line spacing: 2 spaces between lines is industry standard; I have said single spaced, to give you a higher word count. 
  • Word spacing: single spaces between words. single space after period.
  • Be sure to include the title of your story and your name on the both pages. On the first page, drop down 1-2 inches and center the title/name. On the second page, put the title/name in a header. (If you don't know how to make a header, go ahead and put it on the top page at the far left

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