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PENdemic – Short Story Contest

March 19, 2021

In line with our mission to provide opportunities to deepen artistic and cultural experiences (particularly during what can be challenging times!), Fivesparks is seeking original short stories on any topic for PENdemic — our first Short Story Contest!
Three categories will be judged separately:  5th-8th graders, 9th-12th graders, and adults.
– Contest Guidelines & Submission Form Below
 

DATES:

  • Open for Submissions: February 19, 2021
  • Submission Deadline: March 19, 2021 (11:59pm)

STORIES:

  • Word Limit: 2000 words (excluding title)
  • Topic: No theme requirement

SUBMISSIONS:

  • One submission per author
  • No entry fee
  • Categories:
    • Youth: 5th-8th grade
    • Young Adult: 9th-12th grade
    • Adult (18+, not in high school)
  • Stories must be submitted using online submission form (BELOW)
  • Submissions must be fictional and entirely author’s own work
  • No changes/corrections after story has been submitted
  • Format:
    • Submissions must be in English
    • Submissions must have a title
    • Title and page number must be included on each page as a header
    • Submissions must be double-spaced, and use 12pt Helvetica font
    • Submissions must be in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF format
    • Total number of words must be listed at the end of the last page
    • Author’s name (or any identifying information) may not appear anywhere on the pages of the submission

JUDGING:

  • Judging for each category will be separate
  • Judging will be anonymous
  • Winners will be announced on April 5th (or as soon as possible thereafter, depending on the number of submissions)
  • Winners will be notified by email and announced at fivesparks.org
  • Prizes:
    • There will be one winner in each of the three categories Silver Unicorn Bookstore Opening in West Acton, Mass. | Shelf Awareness
    • Each winner will receive a $25 gift card to The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, in Acton MA

PUBLICITY:

  • By submitting a story, authors agree to allow their name and work to be viewed online via fivesparks.org and/or published elsewhere (e.g. The Harvard Press)

PENdemic Short Story Contest - Submission Form

  • Please check the box below before submitting your story.
  • The name of your file will appear next to the "Choose File" button, once successfully uploaded.
    Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 1 MB.

  • Contest Rules

    Deadline for Submissions is March 19, 2021 (11:59pm). Word Limit is 2000 words, excluding the title. There is no entry fee. Stories must be submitted using this online submission form. All stories submitted must be fictional and entirely the author’s own work. There will be no changes/corrections allowed after the story has been submitted. All entries must be in English. All entries must have a title. The title and page number must be included on each page as a header. Submissions must be double-spaced and use 12pt Helvetica font. File format must be Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF. The total number of words must be listed at the end of the last page. Judging will be separate for each of the three age categories. Judging will be anonymous. Winners will be announced on April 5th, or as soon as possible thereafter, depending on the number of submissions. Winners will be notified by email and announced at Fivesparks.org. There will be one winner in each of the three categories. Each winner will receive a $25 gift card to The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, 12 Spruce St., Acton, MA 01720. By submitting a story, authors agree to allow their name and work to be viewed online via Fivesparks.org and/or published elsewhere (e.g. local media).

Details

Date:
March 19, 2021

Venue

Harvard, MA 01451 United States