Young Authors
Young Authors 2009
9th-12th Grade Students
(Please Note: Now Accepting Short Plays)
GUIDELINES
Eligibility: All high school students.
Entries: Submit your best writing in these categories:
FICTION WRITING
Students may submit in a range of prose forms and
traditions, including short story, novel excerpt, letter story,
folktale, story within a story, parody, and dream story, among other
forms. Out of respect for the integrity of students' writing efforts,
we will not set limitations on content or language. 10-page max, double-spaced, typed, 12-point type. No poetry, please. Submissions longer than 10 pages will not be considered.
CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITING
is a genre of fact-based storytelling distinguished
from journalism, reportage, and the traditional high school composition
assignment by the use of fictional techniques and by the invested
presence of the writer's personal voice and vision. Drawing on the
techniques and forms of fiction writers — scene, character,
dialogue, point of view, gestural imagery, and narration —
creative nonfiction emerges from the strongest vein of fiction writing,
to explore and interpret research and personal experiences, and
in the literary traditions of Truman Capote, Zora Neale Hurston,
and Mark Twain. 10-page max, double-spaced, typed, 12-point type. No poetry, please. Submissions longer than 10 pages will not be considered.
We are looking for short original work under 10 minutes. Short plays should be complete pieces — not excerpts of longer plays or partial scenes. All formats, styles, subjects, and cast sizes will be considered. Entries should follow standard playwriting format and be no longer than ten pages.
We do not accept poetry.
SPECIFICATIONSEach entry must be accompanied by a signed entry form, limit of two (2) entries per category. Submissions longer than 10 pages will not be considered. Submissions will be recycled after the contest.
Deadline: Postmarked no later than December 19, 2008
Mail to: Chris RiceDirector, Young Authors 2009
Fiction Writing Department
Columbia College Chicago
600 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605