Sponsored by Outrider Press in affiliation with TallGrass Writers Guild

Deadline: 2-28-08 (may be extended to 3-31)
Email tallgrassguild@sbcglobal.net or outriderpress@sbcglobal.net

Planned publication date: late summer/early fall 2008. Working title: Wild Things: Domestic and Otherwise.. Broadly interpreted, this can be anything from unwanted bats in the attic to grandchildren running amok. Especially interested in poetry.

All poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction submissions are read and evaluated by in-house editorial staff; submission does not guarantee acceptance; those entries that make the final cut are forwarded to independent judges for possible award of $500 in cash prizes for First ($500 each for poetry and prose) as determined by the judges. Also: 2nd and 3rd places, and Hon. Mention. All winners receive Featured Reader status at the Kick-Off Reading at Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair (pending CTPRBF event scheduling), the nation’s third largest book fair of its kind. Each published contributor receives a free copy of the anthology.

Entry fees for each category are $16, reduced to $12 each for TWG members

Poetry: Single-page poems to 28 lines single spacing OK. Prose poems may be treated as prose at judge’s discretion. Reading fee for 1-4 poems: $16US/$12US-TWG member. For 5-8 poems: $32US/$24US-TWG member. 9-12 poems: $48US/$36US, etc.

Prose: 2500 word limit per entry; sections from longer works accepted.
Reading fee for each entry: $16 US/$12US-TWG member. For 2 prose entries per person: $32US/$24US-TWG member; for 3: $48/$36, etc. No limit on number of submissions in either category.

Judge: Award-winning poet, essayist and novelist Judith Kitchen, Pushcart Prize recipient and judge.

Writers should send two copies of each manuscript (ms.) Plus disk as follows: HARD COPY Double-spaced manuscript on one side, on 8.5”x111” unlined white paper. Single-spacing okay for poetry. Plus: ELECTRONIC Provide mms. and 4-sentence bio (separate files, please) on 3.5” IBM disk or CD, or small capacity flash (pin) drive our preference — using Windows Rich-Text-Formaat (RTF
our preference), or Microsoft Word (not Works).¦nbsp; NO ASCII; no centering, bold, italics codes; only Tabs for paragraph indents. Specify word processing program on label + author’s name, phone # and e-mail address. No MAC. If sending a 3.5” floppy, be sure to package securely in bubble wrap or padded envelope to guard against damage in transit. INCLUDE name, address, phone/FAX numbers (w/area code) and e-mail addresses on first sheet of fiction; each sheet of poetry. Your phone number and e-mail address are required on every item. INCLUDE a stamped, self-addressed #10 (business size) envelope (SASE) for response. Mss. shredded/recycled.

For REQUIRED ENTRY FORM and COMPLETE GUIDELINES: email outriderpress@sbcglobal.net.

Mail to: TallGrass Writers c/o Outrider Press, 2036 North Winds Drive, Dyer, IN 46311.
Info: outriderpress@sbcglobal.net or tallgrassguild@sbcglobal.net
or 219-322-7270
or toll-free 866-510-6735.