Hamilton Writers Guild Fiction Contest

Summer may be a great season for reading, but writers of short fiction should take note. It is an excellent time to fine-tune that short story and enter it in the second annual Hamilton Writers Guild Fiction Contest. With a 2,000 word limit, entries must be tightly written. And guidelines must be followed to the letter. Definitely double check to make sure your manuscript meets all of the guidelines or judges will quickly disqualify even the most exquisite prose.

Prizes may not put you in a new tax bracket, but are better than what most literary magazines will pay you for the same submission. First prize: $125; Second prize: $75; and Third prize: $50.

Entry fee is $10.

Here are the guidelines in a nutshell or visit the group's website.
**Category: General Fiction
**Limit 2000 words
**Deadline: Postmarked no later than October 26, 2007
**Manuscript must be typed, double-spaced on one side of 8.5 x10 white paper
**Staple all entries
**Include name, address, phone number, e-mail address, word count and where you heard about the contest on cover page only
**Do not put name, or any other form of identification, on the manuscript
**Entries will not be returned
**Unlimited number of entries allowed; entry fee must accompany each entry
**No e-mail entries
**Entries exceeding word count or not following the guidelines will be disqualified.

Winners will be announced on November 23, 2007 on the website

Individual winners will be notified by mail. Include a SASE for complete list of winners.

Just a bit of full disclosure. Last year's first place winner: me. My first ever contest win! I love this contest! And if I can win, that should give you a real hope that you can, too! Give it a try.

Send entries to:

Hamilton Writers Contest
PO Box 1205
Hamilton, Ohio 45012