CENTRAL OREGON WRITERS GUILD
HARVEST WRITING CONTEST GUIDELINES
SUBMISSION TIMEFRAME: JUNE 1 - AUGUST 16, 2016
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: AUGUST 16, 2016
A cash prize of $100 will be awarded to 1st place winners in ADULT Categories and YOUTH Categories in
all three genres. All 1st and 2nd place winners, ADULT and YOUTH, will read their winning pieces at the
Winners Showcase Event in Bend, Oregon, Oct 22, 2016. Additionally, all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners,
ADULT and YOUTH, will be published in the 2016 Harvest Writing Contest Winners Collection book.
GUIDELINES
– ADULT CATETORIES (Writers age 19 and over on June 1, 2016) One entry per person.
1. FICTION – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double spaced. One complete
short story, or novel excerpt, in any fiction sub-genre. Original, unpublished work. Can be selfpublished.
2. NONFICTION - Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double spaced. One complete
piece or novel excerpt, in any nonfiction sub-genre. Original, unpublished work. Can be selfpublished.
3. POETRY – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Single spaced-double between
stanzas. One complete poem on any subject.
– YOUTH CATETORIES (Writers age 18 and under on June 1, 2016) One entry per person.
1. FICTION – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double spaced. One complete
short story, or novel excerpt, in any fiction sub-genre. Original, unpublished work. Can be selfpublished.
2. NONFICTION - Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Double spaced. One complete
piece or novel excerpt, in any nonfiction sub-genre. Original, unpublished work. Can be selfpublished.
3. POETRY – Maximum length 1200 words. Word .doc or .docx. Single spaced-double between
stanzas. One complete poem on any subject.
AWARDS:
 ADULT CATEGORIES: First place prize of $100 in each of the three genre categories: Fiction,
Nonfiction, and Poetry
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YOUTH CATEGORIES: First place prize of $100 in each of the three genre categories: Fiction,
Nonfiction, and Poetry.
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WINNERS SHOWCASE EVENT: First and Second place winners in the Adult and Youth Categories
in each of the three genres will read their winning pieces at the event. The Winners Showcase
Event will be held on Oct 22, 2016 at 6:30 pm at Hampton Inn and Suites, Bend, OR.
WINNERS COLLECTION BOOK: First, Second, and Third place winning pieces in Adult and Youth
Categories in each of the three genres will be published in the Central Oregon Writers Guild
2016 Harvest Writing Contest Winners Collection book, which will be available on Amazon in ebook and print formats, at local bookstores, and at COWG events. Each winning author will
receive one complimentary print copy.
AUTHOR READINGS: Winners may also be featured in author presentations/readings at Central
Oregon bookstores and other venues.
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NOTIFICATION: Winners will be notified by email in early October.
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RULES:
1. Eligibility: The COWG Harvest Writing Contest is open to residents of Oregon and to all current
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members of Central Oregon Writers Guild, regardless of residence. One entry is allowed per
writer and one poem per Poetry entry.
Contest Timeframe: Submissions will be accepted beginning 12:00 am June 1, 2016 through
midnight August 16, 2016. Submissions received after midnight on August 16, 2016 will not be
accepted.
General Formatting: Entries must be typed, double spaced (Poetry Single spaced), in 12-point
legible font (e.g. Times New Roman), page numbers, and submitted as a .doc or .docx.
Title: All entries must have a TITLE on the top of the first page.
Confidentiality: Do not put author’s name on manuscript.
Original work: All entries must be original, unpublished work of author. Self-published, blogs,
and articles okay.
Judging: Entries will be judged anonymously and judges’ decisions will be final. In October, all
entrants will receive their judge’s scoresheet with comments.
Sample scoresheets (link to scoresheets)
Fees: COWG Members $20.00. Non-members $25.00. Contest fees are not refundable.
Notification to entrants: Each entrant will be notified by Submittable that their entry has been received.
Please direct questions about the writing contest to: [email protected]
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