Young Writers’ Contest

Lee Roddy Young Writers’ Contest

Sierra Writers honors past president, Lee Roddy, by naming our awards to teenage authors of short fiction after him. Roddy is the author of over 50 novels written for children and young adults. Without authors who engender the love of reading in our youth, where would authors of adult fiction find their readers?

1st Prize: $300

2nd Prize: $200

3rd Prize: $100

Honorable Mention: $50

Rules

Eligibility Requirements

Submit no later than April 1 postmark. Contest open to teens (ages 14-19) either residing in Nevada County or attending a school within Nevada County.

Submission Format

Manuscripts must be attached to an email in a Microsoft Word document or pdf file.  Manuscripts must be double spaced, 250-300 words per page, pages numbered consecutively. Do not use bold script. Either Arial or Times New Roman recommended. Use point size 12.

More Rules

Short stories only, 2,000 word maximum.  One short story per person.

Do not include your name or address on your manuscript.

Do include Title and page number at the top of each page.

All entries will be judged anonymously.  Winners announced in early May, and awards presented at the Sierra Writers May meeting.

A completed Entry Form is required as part of the email. Email to sierrawriters@gmail.com with the subject line, “Young Writers Contest” + your title.

Winning manuscripts may be posted on sierrawriters.org and may be included in a future anthology—with author’s permission.

Copyright remains with author.

Sierra Writers reserves the right to cancel contest in the absence of sufficient entries of merit. Decisions of the judges are final.

Be sure to retain a copy of your entry. No manuscripts will be returned.

Questions

Email questions to: sierrawriters@gmail.com

Warning

Hard to read manuscripts will automatically be discarded, as well as entries that don’t follow the rules above.

Young Writers Contest Entry Form
Email entry info with an attached story to sierrawriters@gmail.com

NAME_______________________________________________

AGE___________ (14 through 19)

STREET ADDRESS_______________________________________________

CITY_______________________________________________

STATE_______________

ZIP_______________

COUNTY_____________________________________________

PHONE_________________________________

EMAIL_______________________________________________

TITLE OF SHORT STORY_______________________________________________

Name, Phone, Email of Parent, Guardian, Teacher, Counselor, Adult Mentor, Probation Officer, or Clergyman (for required permission)

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________