Anne wasn’t sure which was more pleasing.
Filed under 2017, cartoon by author, CarToonsday
Preamble“Home is where the heart is.” – Proverb
“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relatives.”
– Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance
As the shadows lengthen and the verdure of summer yellows and browns, thoughts turn to the approach of cooler weather, longer nights, and our families. For many of us the start of the new school year conjures gilded memories of childhood. Increasingly, Halloween kicks off the holiday season by letting our imaginations dabble in alternative realities: costumes, masks, hauntings, and mazes let us self-determine the constructs of our lives, at least for an evening. We disguise ourselves and play tricks on one another before the formalities and traditions of Thanksgiving and the winter holidays order our hours, days, and weeks. Throughout autumn the idea of family moves closer and closer to the center of our thoughts and activities. And as it does, we reflect on ourselves in relation to others with whom we share the moniker ‘family’.
With this in mind, the Knoxville Writers’ Guild is opening its first Autumn Writing Contest with ‘Family’ as the theme. We are inviting submissions that examine the complex nature of families and our relationships with those deemed closest to us by culture, society, and blood.
The Knoxville Writers Guild is accepting submissions for the its first Autumn Knoxville Writers Guild Contest beginning August 31, 2017 through midnight, October 31, 2017.
Contestants may enter their work in several categories including poetry, literary nonfiction and literary short fiction. There is also a Young Writers category in which student may submit in any of the previously mentioned genres. Judges will be announced shortly.
Please direct questions regarding the contest here.
Guidelines:
Entry consists of one short story totaling no more than 3,000 words. See General Guidelines for additional instructions.
Members: Free
Non-Members: $30
Guidelines:
Entry consists of no more than three typed poems totaling 100 lines or fewer. If more than one poem is entered on the same submission, poems will be judged as a collection. There are no restrictions as far as style, content or spacing.
See General Guidelines.
Members: Free
Non-Members: $30
Guidelines:
Entry consists of one typed, double-spaced nonfiction essay of no more than 3,000 words.
See General Guidelines.
Members: Free
Non-Members: $30
Guidelines:
Fiction: Entry consists of one short story or stand-alone novel excerpt totaling no more than 3,000 words, double-spaced.
Nonfiction: Entry consists of essay totaling no more than 3,000 words, double-spaced.
Poetry: Up to a maximum of three typed poems totaling 100 lines or fewer with no restrictions as far as style, content or spacing. Poems should be submitted as a single document. Poems will be judged as a collection.
Do not include any identifying information on the submissions themselves.
If you are a teacher or school submitting entries on behalf of your students, please add the following information in addition to the information required by the General Guidelines:
Please contact us if your school or club needs any additional information for bookkeeping or payment purposes.
Students: Free
Complete guidelines for the entries can be found here.
FAMILY MATTERS guidelines
Glimmer Train
Maximum word count: 12,000. Any shorter lengths are welcome.
Held just twice a year: Open to submissions in MARCH and SEPTEMBER. Next deadline: March 31.
Winners and finalists will be officially announced in the June 1 and December 1 bulletins, respectively, and will be contacted directly one week earlier.
Reading fee: $15 per story. Please, no more than three submissions per contest.
Prizes:
Please make your submissions at Glimmer Train’s online submission site: http://www.glimmertrainpress.com/writer/html/index2.asp. We look forward to reading your work!
* Remember that sticking too tightly to “fact” can limit the larger truth that fiction is able to reveal. Give your story the leeway it needs in order to find its own life. And, if your story is closely related to your actual experience, it is wise to change details that would allow the real-life people to say, Hey, that’s me!
Filed under 2015, Writing Tip Wednesday
How Changing The Definition Of One Word Might Make TV Shows Worse But Real Life Better.
Something to consider. How do you define family?
Filed under Family
The blathering idiot was thinking about the Mayan calendar, the supposed end of days soon to be at hand, and of his recent failed run for the highest office in the land and asked himself: What polka goes best with the end of time?
Filed under blathering idiot, Photo by author
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