Monday, June 2, 2008

While the Cat's Away...

Actually, I am away playing, hoping these blog entries are automatically entered… And speaking of cats: I wouldn’t normally mention a contest that has a (small) fee without a cash award, but, well…how often does a contest for writing about cats come up?

And I suppose this is an appropriate time to mention that I’m becoming kind of addicted to LolCats: I Can Has Cheezburger, which, oddly, strikes me as the FUNNIEST thing I’ve ever seen. But I guess it’s an acquired taste, so I won’t hold it against you if you think I’m crazy.

And here’s another good one: Kittenwar!

Back to cats as they relate to writing:

Fireside Publications of Florida announces a contest for short stories about cats. Deadline for contest entries is: June 30, 2008. The following rules must be followed exactly:

Guidelines:
The complete story must not exceed 3,000 words; please use your computer word counter; not an estimate.

Every page must have a header in the upper left-hand corner consisting of the author’s name/the title of the story. Example: Smith/My Story.

Pages must be numbered in the upper right-hand corner (numeral only). All material must be typed, double-spaced. Use 12 point New Times Roman typeface.

Content: Any story, true or fictionalized, about a cat or cats.

Include: A cover sheet with complete contact information: Name, address, telephone number, email address

The complete story in hard copy and on a read/write disk (Microsoft or Word Perfect).

A check or money order for $2.00 (two dollar) registration fee made out to: Fireside Publications

No material will be returned, so DO NOT send an SASE for its return. Material not chosen for the book will be destroyed.

Do NOT request a signature for delivery of your material.

A list of the winning entries will be posted on our web site. Winners will have their stories published in a Cat’s Short Story Book (to be named after all stories have been selected). Twenty to twenty-five winners will be selected. Each winner will receive a complimentary copy of the book. Winners must expect their material to be edited as appropriate for publication (spelling, grammar, punctuation, and inappropriate phrasing or words where necessary). Winners will be announced by the end of August 2008.

Submit your entry as soon as possible to:
Cat Short Story Contest
Fireside Publications
1004 San Felipe Lane, Suite 200
The Villages, FL 32159

Work-in-Progress

DC-area author Leslie Pietrzyk explores the creative process and all things literary.