The Whidbey Writers MFA Alumni Association is holding a first novel contest, with a grand prize of a seven-day retreat at a fully furnished, rustic-luxury Smoky Mountain cabin in North Carolina, with daily continental breakfast ($2,000 value), plus a cash award of $300. Second and third place winners receive cash and other prizes.

Submissions are welcome from February 15 through May 15, 2012.

Pulitzer Prize winner William Dietrich is the final judge. Top three finalists’ entries will be reviewed by Andrea Hurst Literary Management, for possible representation. The top twenty-five entries will each receive two critiques from members of the association.

Each entry is $25.00 (USD)

Winners will be announced on August 5, 2012.

All profits from the contest will go towards creative writing student scholarships.

For official contest details, cabin photos and submissions,

please go to http://www.whidbeymfaalumni.org/