35th Annual Foster City International Writer’s Contest

Contest Fee:  $10 per entry

First Place:  $150  Second Place:  $75

The Foster City International Writer’s Contest is Sponsored by the City of Foster City Parks and Recreation Department, Foster City International Writers Contest Planning Team, a volunteer, city arts council.  Members of the judging panel are members of the distinguished Peninsula Press Club, under the direction of Jack Russell.

FICTION:  Personal experiences developed as fiction, have proven to be popular favorites in this category.  Not to exceed 3000 words in length. 

HUMOROUS STORY:  Fictional or not, the story should be satirical, funny, whimsical, or joyous.  Not to exceed 3000 words in length.

CHILDREN’S STORY:  Fiction or non-fiction, is acceptable, provided that the audience be children under the age of twelve.  Stories in this category may be reality or fantasy based.   Not to exceed 3000 words.

  PERSONAL ESSAY:  A personal essay should reflect the writer’s personal outlook on life as gained through personal experience but it must not be an editorial/opinion piece, a proposal to solve an existing geopolitical problem, or a dogmatic expression of opinion.  Stories in these categories may be written in any narrative point of view, and must not exceed 3000 words in length.

POETRY:  Submissions to the Poetry category can be either rhymed, metered or free verse on any topic desired by the writer.  Poems may be written in any narrative point of view.  Typed manuscripts must use double-spacing between lines, quadruple-spacing between stanzas and must not exceed 500 words or two double-spaced pages using a 12 point font.
MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION GUIDELINES:
Manuscripts must be original, previously unpublished, and in English.  They must be double spaced on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper with the pages numbered at the top right hand corner.  Contestant’s name must not appear on the manuscript.  No graphics or illustrations on manuscripts, please.  Judges reserve the right to place manuscripts in more appropriate categories.  Manuscripts not conforming to said guidelines will be reviewed only at the judging staff’s discretion.  Contest judges are not eligible to participate in this contest.   

ENTRY FORMS AND FEES:
Entry forms can be downloaded by right-clicking this link or obtained by sending a request to the contest email address:  fostercity_writers@yahoo.com or send a request for an entry form along with a self addressed, stamped envelope to the City of Foster City address (seen below). You can also print the form that appears on the website.

 A non-refundable entry fee of $10 must be submitted for each entry, made payable to �City of Foster City.�  If submitting multiple entries, please remit only one check.  International entrants (including those from Canada and Mexico) must submit an international money order in US funds.  No credit card payments.  Mail your completed entry form and manuscript to:

Foster City International Writer’s Contest
c/o Foster City Parks and Recreation Department
650 Shell Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404 USA

ONLINE ENTRY SUBMISSION:
Please send manuscript as an attachment (RTF, Word (DOC), PDF, or TXT format) to fostercity_writers@yahoo.com.  In the email subject line include:  Writer�s Contest Entry, Category and your name.  Please retain copies of manuscripts as they cannot be returned.  Please mail the check along with your completed entry form to Foster City Parks and Recreation.

DEADLINES AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: 

Manuscripts will be accepted through March 11, 2011 (postmarks accepted).  Manuscripts without fees will not be accepted.  Only winners will be notified.  Each winner must provide a social security number or the equivalent in order to receive the cash prize.  For any general contest information, please call:  650.286.3380.

Visit the website for details: http://bwstore.biz/foster/