West Virginia Writers, Inc. moves into the home stretch for the submission period for its annual writing competition for grade 1-12, the New Mountain Voices Student Writing Contest. Submissions are accepted through Mar. 15, though entries will still be accepted from Mar. 16-31, with a $1 per entry late fee.
The contest, which is free to enter, offers $575 in prizes split between three age groups; grade 1-5, grade 6-8 and grade 9-12. Students in any age group may choose from six suggested contest writing prompts. The prompts for 2015 include: “My First Day at Ninja School”; “The Day I was the Principal”; “I never thought West Virginia was a Spooky Place Until…”; “The day my _____ disappeared”; “I never believed in ____ until I met one”; and “They say you can’t _______, but I’m going to prove them wrong.” Alternately, students may create their own original story or poem to submit outside of the offered topics. There are no fees to enter the New Mountain Voices Student Writing Contest, though only students who are residents of West Virginia are eligible to enter.
Winners will be announced June 13, in an awards ceremony during West Virginia Writers Annual Writers Conference, held at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. All winners, including honorable mentions, will receive certificates suitable for framing.
For official contest entry forms, contest rules, the Frequently Asked Questions List concerning the contest, a list of the 2015 judges, and free podcasts explaining the contest and readings from last year’s winners, please visit the contest webpage at wvwriters.org/contest.html. Or email contest coordinator, Eric Fritzius, at wvwcontest@gmail.com.
West Virginia Writers, the largest writers’ organization in the state will celebrate its 38th Anniversary this year.