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Write a short story, true or fictional, in with family at the center.
Mom, Dad, Sisters; Brothers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparent’s, Stepfamilies, Extended Families and made up families all provide for great story telling.
If your family has undergone a major change and you want to write about it, we want to read it. If your family is so dull you can’t believe you’re related to them and you think you can tell us about them it in an interesting way, send it in. Has a family tradition suddenly gone awry? Please share the story with us. Funny, sad, inspiring, neat, messy, bald, hairy, wonderful or pain in the neck; get writing.
We love to laugh, cringe when writers get preachy and appreciate the author who makes us think. Let your imagination soar.
Judges will be looking for well defined characters and appropriate use of dialog and point of view based on the age and expected skill level of the authors.
Your story should have a clear beginning, middle and end.
Also considered will be the correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling. Proof read your entry before submission. Or better yet, have someone you trust proof read it for you. It is often difficult for a writer to see his or her own typographical errors. Parents and teachers are permitted to proof read submissions as long as the story itself is the work of the author alone.
Do not exceed the word limit. Submissions using more than 2,000 words will not be considered. There is no minimum word requirement.
Do not write and essay or opinion piece.
Submissions will close when CVM has received enough qualified entries to publish a book. Typically we expect to receive over 1,000 entries with 60 to 100 stories being selected for publication.
Announcement of the cash award winners and the entries selected for publication will be made by Community Voice Media, via direct mail and on our website. www.communityvoicemedia.com
Prizes will be awarded at a date and time to be determined, based on the closing date of the contest. Published authors and their families will be invited to attend an award ceremony open to the public and local press in Loudoun County, Virginia. Date and exact location to be determined.
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Entries must be original and previously unpublished.
Technical ability must be consistent with grade level. Obvious re-writing by an adult will result in disqualification.
Each entry must be accompanied by a cover page bearing the author's name, address, telephone number, email and category entered.
Parent’s signature must accompany entries by any student under the age of 18 at time of submission.
Entry must not exceed 2,000 words.
Entries containing violent and/or sexually explicit material are not considered appropriate for this contest and will not be considered.
Entry must be written in English.
Acceptable manuscript format is double-spaced on one side of 8.5" x 11" paper, with 1" to 1.25" margins, 24-26 lines per page. Submission title should appear in the upper left-hand corner, page number in the upper right-hand corner. Author's name MUST NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript. Author's name on the manuscript WILL result in immediate disqualification. Entry must contain the following:
One signed entry form with waiver for EACH manuscript entered. Entry forms may be printed from this web site or by contacting Bobbi Carducci via e-mail at bobbi@bobbicarducci.com Entry forms MAY be photocopied.
One copy of manuscript and one floppy disk or CD (word documents or rich text format only) with cover page for EACH entry. Disks or CDs must be labeled as follows: Authors last name and story title, saved as: Ex: Carducci/Once Upon A Time in Round Hill.
Submissions are to be sent by regular mail service only. DO NOT send entry by any method that requires a signature upon delivery. Any manuscript sent in this manner will be refused.
Entries will not be returned, it is important that you maintain a copy for your files.
If you want confirmation that your entry has been received, include a postage paid, self addressed post card with your entry packet.
Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a date and time to be determined. Information about the event will be made public via press release and on the Community Voice Media website.
Decision of the judges is final.
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