Wednesday, March 18, 2009

2009 Writing Contest for High School Students

A writing contest for the young folks:

2009 Younkin-Rivera Prizes for Young Writers
http://www.angelfire.com/il/yww/

THE YOUNKIN-RIVERA PRIZES FOR YOUNG WRITERS AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE

A nationwide competition for creative writers aged 15-18. Entries accepted
during the month of April in the genres of poetry and prose. Prize in each category: $250 and a full tuition scholarship to the 2009 Young Writers Workshop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

To enter in poetry: send no more than 2 poems (limit of 25 lines each) per entrant, along with an entry fee of $5.

To enter in prose (fiction or essay): send one essay or story (no more 1000 words) per entrant, along with an entry fee of $5.

To enter in both poetry and prose: send no more than 2 poems (limit of 25 lines each) and one essay or story (of no more than 1000 words) per entrant, along with an entry fee of $10. Entries longer than the limits listed above will be returned, along with their entry fees.

Entrants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

All entries must be typed on white 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Do not put your name on your entries. Include a separate cover sheet with the following information on it: your name, home address, phone number, e- mail address, date of birth, and the name and address of your high school.

Checks or money orders to cover the entry fee should be made out to SIUC, with "Young Writers Workshop" written in the check’s memo line. Please do not send cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for contest results. No entries will be returned, so please keep copies of the work you send. No e-mail or faxed submissions will be accepted.

Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony during the annual Young Writers Workshop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a five-day, co-ed, residential creative writing workshop for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in developing their skills in the writing of poetry and prose.. If a prizewinner cannot attend the Workshop, the prize will not be awarded to that winner. Travel costs to and from the Workshop are the responsibility of the winner. Previous award winners cannot enter again.

The Young Writers Workshop will be held in 2009 from June 23 to June 27, 2009.

To enter, send your submissions, postmarked from April 1 to April 30, 2009, to:

The Younkin-Rivera Prizes for Young Writers
Allison Joseph, Director
The Young Writers Workshop
Department of English
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Faner Hall 2380--Mail Code 4503
1000 Faner Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901

Work-in-Progress

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