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Submit your orginal short story, poem, or non-fiction piece
Download the brochure Download the cover sheet & Permission Form
Submission Guidelines
Creative Writing Submissions
Participants must be 18+
Entry can be a short story (2,000 words or less), poem (45 lines or less), or nonfiction piece (2,000 words or less)
Must be digitally produced, double-spaced (except poetry) and submitted via email
Must be an original, unpublished work (has not appeared in physical form or on any digital platform); AI-generated content does not qualify.
Each page of the submission must have the title in the upper right corner and the page numbers on the bottom right corner
Up to two entries may be submitted per person
All submitted work should be "publication ready"
Each entry requires a cover sheet and signed permission form:
Download the cover sheet & Permission FormWhat's next?
Judging
All entries will be ranked anonymously based on content, originality, and quality of expression
Writers do not receive feedback on their submissions
Judges' decisions are final
If selected
Writers will be asked to sign a licensing agreement which gives Henderson Libraries the right to publish and distribute selected work indefinitely
Authors will retain copyright of their individual work
Publication
Manuscripts will be published in the online zine New Beginnings, the library’s annual digital magazine
This anthology will provide local authors the opportunity to build name recognition and readership/viewership
Winners
There will be one winner in each submission category
Each winner receives a $50 gift certificate
Henderson Libraries will not be hosting a reception at this time. Winners will be asked for a photo op when they pick up their prize
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