Adult Creative Writing Contest

The Adult Creative Writing Contest sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries is underway. The deadline for entering is Monday, April 1, 2019. The categories include children’s fiction, informal essay, poetry, and short story. See further descriptions below. You may enter all four categories, but may submit only ONE manuscript in each category. Please submit one payment for all entries. Only unpublished manuscripts are accepted. Unpublished and published writers are encouraged to compete.

Children’s Fiction: Works in which illustrations are integral may be submitted, but judging is based primarily on the text. A maximum of 3,000 words will be accepted.

Informal Essay: A short composition considering a single topic and usually personal in approach. No research, technical reports or religious treaties will be considered. A maximum of 5,000 words will be accepted.

Poetry: The total number of words may include more than one poem. If more than one poem is submitted within the word limit, all poems will be considered, but only one poem can receive an award. Only one cover sheet is required for all the poems in one entry. A maximum of 400 words will be accepted.

Short Story: A narrative, fictional, prose story having a central theme. A maximum of 5,000 words will be accepted.

Fees:

One Entry: $10

Two Entries: $18

Three Entries: $24

Four Entries: $30

The contest is open to any person 18 years old or older who:

Resides, works, or attends school in Tulsa County, or

Has a nonresident Tulsa City-County Library card, and is not a member of the creative writing contest committee or a judge of the contest.

Winners and honorable mention recipients in each category will be notified by phone by Friday, April 26.

A cash prize of $125 and a certificate are awarded to the best work within each category. Second-place winners will receive a cash prize of $75 and a certificate. Certificates and $10 are awarded to those receiving honorable mention. Winning manuscripts are not published, but with the author’s permission will be posted online at www.TulsaLibrary.org/Friends following the awards ceremony.

Every entrant, not just the winners, will receive an invitation to the awards ceremony. The awards ceremony and reception will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 11 at Central Library in Aaronson Auditorium, 400 Civic Center (Fifth Street and Denver Avenue).

Additional entry forms available to download at www.TulsaLibrary.org/Friends

Questions? Call 918-549-7419 or email tara.farrar@tulsalibrary.org.

• No previously published work for which remuneration was received is considered for any award.
• Double-space and type manuscripts on 8.5 x 11 (standard) paper. Poetry may be submitted in free form. Title and number each page in the top right corner. Do not put your name on any page, as manuscripts are judged anonymously.
• Attach a cover page that includes the title, category of your piece, and your name and mailing address.
• Keep a copy of your manuscript in the event your manuscript is misplaced in mailing or handling. Photocopied entries are accepted. Do not send your only copy!
• You may enter all four categories, but may submit only one manuscript in each category. Submit a separate entry form for each category entered. Entry forms may be reproduced. Please submit one payment for all entries and mail all entries together in the same packet.
• Deliver the entry to any branch library, or mail flat to:
• Manuscripts will not be returned.
• The deadline for receiving manuscripts is a postmark of April 1.

Adult Creative Writing Contest, Friends of TCCL 400 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK 74103

UNPUBLISHED DEFINITION

If you received remuneration for your work, then it qualifies as having been published. Remuneration includes payment in cash or publications in lieu of cash. For example, if your work was published in a journal and you received copies of the journal as compensation, that work is considered published. If your work has not been published with remuneration, it qualifies as unpublished. If your work has been published in a school newspaper or church bulletin, for example, it is considered unpublished.