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Benefactor Award Writing Contest
2008 Contest Winners
Open to 2009 Conference Registrants
The Benefactor Award Writing Contest honors benefactors whose generosity supports writers, literary arts and our Association's educational programs. Honored benefactors and recipients of the grand prize award include:
- 2008 Candace Allen & Bob Richardson Benefactor Award -- Gail Madden
- 2007 JoAnne Kane Kane Benefactor Award -- Kimberly Davis
- 2006 Elizabeth George Benefactor Award -- Lois Edstrom
- 2005 Nancy Nordhoff Benefactor Award -- Diana Greenwood
Eligibility
The contest is open to registered attendees of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference. (Members of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference team are not eligible.)
Why Enter?
- Receive a critique: Each entry is read by three experienced, preliminary readers who provide a sheet of written responses/suggestions for the manuscript. These preliminary readers then pass the top five entries in each genre on to the final judge for selection of the winner in that genre.
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Have your work read by professional authors and agent/editors: The final judges for the top five manuscripts in each genre are people you want reading your work. Past final judges include Gary Ferguson, Doris Booth, Kirby Larson, Anjali Banerjee, Sheila Bender, Elizabeth Engstrom, Eva Shaw, Don McQuinn and more! The judges for this year’s conference will be posted soon.
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Be published! The overall winner (Benefactor Award Winner) will be published in the September issue of Soundings Review, Whidbey Island Writers Association's new magazine.
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Experience the process of submitting material to contests and following submission guidelines, in a “safe” environment where you know your work will be respected and given an honest response.
Submissions
Categories include: essay, short fiction, children's literature, and poetry. Conference participants may submit one entry in each genre. Multiple submissions in any one genre will result in disqualification.
Submissions must be received on or before February 1, no exceptions. Winners will be formally announced during the conference. Mail entry either with registration or separately to:
P.O. Box 1289
Langley, WA 98260
Manuscripts and judges' comments will be returned only with SASE.
Entry fee: $10 members, $20 nonmembers.
Format for entries
- Poetry: two copies of up to fifty lines, typed, using standard size (10 - 12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, author's name, address, phone number.
- Fiction: two copies, up to 2000 words, double-spaced, typed, using standard size (10 -12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, genre (fiction), author's name, address, phone number.
- Essay: two copies, up to 2000 words, double-spaced, typed, using standard size (10 - 12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, genre, author's name, address, phone number.
- Children's Literature: two copies, up to 1500 words, double-spaced, typed, using standard size (10-12 pt). Title and page number only on manuscript. Cover page should include title, genre, author's name, address, phone number.
Judging
Judging will be "blind" (remember, no names on manuscripts). Preliminary judges, members of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference staff, will include critique sheets with manuscripts. Each category will include one winner and three runners-up. An overall winner will be selected from the first place manuscripts.Awards
Winners will receive awards during the formal announcement.No exceptions to the submission guidelines will be made. This is your opportunity to practice meeting professional marketing requirements.