OWLS’ 2017 Writing Competition – Heroes aren’t made. They’re born.

Call for Entries ~

Required Topic or Theme:  Heroes aren’t made. They’re born.*

Categories & Lengths:  Fiction (1,500 to 3,000 words); Poetry (20 to 35 lines, any style)

Submission Deadline: August 31, 2017

Entry fee:  $10 per submission or FREE with paid OWLS Membership (1- or 2-year)

Maximum entries per author:  one submission in each category.

How to Enter:  All entries should be submitted via the OWLS website. You must use the entry form below or submit a clean, printed copy by mail (typed manuscripts only), see instructions below. All entries should have your name, pen name (if using), line or word count at top of page one.

Online entries preferred but entries may be submitted by mail to Dawn Johnson, 315 S. Walnut St., Stillman Valley, IL  61084 (checks payable to Dawn Johnson). Please include contact information including a phone number, mailing address, and email.

* You may interpret the topic in creative ways but your entry must involve the concept of “hero” and how s/he or they seem moved to heroic destiny from birth. Be creative! All genres and diverse interpretations encouraged!

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About the Prizes

• One Winner in each category receives 1-year OWLS membership and will have story or poem prominently featured in OWLS’ anthology to be published in Dec. 2017. (Twenty+ competition entries required for anthology to be produced. If less than 20 entries are received, category winners will be published with special honors on OWLS’ website.)
• One Runner-up in each category will receive a 1-hour mentoring session ($10 value) with Dawn or Sarah, recognition on OWLS’ website, plus inclusion in anthology (if produced).
• Honorable Mentions in each category will receive special recognition on OWLS’ website and may be included in anthology at OWLS’ discretion. Number of HMs awarded to be determined at judging.

Winners will be announced in October.

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Submit Your Entries Here

Payment Information

Please use the following links to submit payment for your entry or entries OR go to the MEMBERSHIP page to become a paid OWLS member–the contest entry fee(s) are waived for current, paid members.

One entry, either poetry or prose, use this link for your $10 payment:

Two entries, one poem and one story, use this link for your $20 payment:

Your payment will be processed securely through PayPal, with or without a PayPal account.

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Submit Manuscript(s)

Use this form to submit your poem or story for OWLS' 2016 The Only Story writing competition. You will receive confirmation of receipt via email.

* indicates required field

Name:*

Email:*

Re-enter Email:*

PayPal Transaction ID:*

Enter PayPal Transaction ID if you used one of the above links to submit payment for contest entries. If you are a current, paid OWLS member, type MEMBER in this field or a PayPal Transaction ID if you paid recently via the Membership page.

I prefer to publish under this pen name:

Should your entry be selected for publication we will use your real name unless you provide a pen name.

Poem Entry (20-35 lines):

Acceptable file types: doc,docx,txt.
Maximum file size: 1mb.

Before you submit verify that the poem's length meets contest requirements. Include real name, pen name (if using), and line count at top of page.

Fiction Entry (1500-3000 words):

Before you submit verify that the story's length meets contest requirements. Include real name, pen name (if using), and word count at top of page 1.

CAPTCHA Code:*

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Thank you for entering the competition. Good luck!