2007 Poetry and Fiction Contest

OK, so we unveiled the rules last week, but tweaked them just a tad this week to better serve you. Get your brain working and read on to participate.

Contestants will enter in one of six categories

See rules below for specific submission guidelines.

Length: Writers may submit up to, but no more than 750 words of poetry or three poems (whichever comes first) or one fiction story, 3,000 words or less of original, unpublished material.

What to Include: Four copies of each entry must be double-spaced, typewritten and submitted by mail or email. No hand written entries, please. SASE must be included with mailed entries. Emailed entries are preferred as Microsoft Word attachments.

All entries MUST include a cover sheet with: Name of author, address, email and phone number, as well as title(s) of work(s) submitted and preferred category (one of four for poetry and one of two for fiction). Subsequent pages (poems and stories) must include only a title, and no other identifying information.

Cost/Deadlines: Entry fee is $7 per submission. Entrants may enter in multiple categories, but will be required to pay appropriate number of fees.

All entries and payments must be received at the City Paper office, or postmarked by Thursday, October 18 to be included in the contest.

Entries will be accepted strictly between the dates of Wednesday, September 19 and October 25.

Any submission that does not meet the above guidelines will be returned to the author. Returned submissions that are corrected may be re-entered on or before deadline.

Winners & Prizes: Winners will be announced in the November 7 issue of TCP.

One First Place, one Runner Up and two Honorable Mentions will be awarded in each category.

Prizes for winners include publishing in Toledo City Paper, swag, gifts and an honorary reception to be held on Thursday, November 8 (location TBA).

Note: Spoken word entries will be decided at the reception after a live competition before the audience. (Poetry Slam International Rules will apply).

Send It: Mail all entries to Toledo City Paper Poetry and Fiction Contest, 1120 Adams St., Toledo, OH 43604 or email rbunch@toledocitypaper.com with subject: "Poetry and Fiction Contest."