The Pacific Northwest Senior Writer’s Showcase

1^st Ever Writing Contest for Seniors 55+

In celebration of the Franke Tobey Jones Centennial this year, we are proud to announce the first ever Pacific Northwest Senior Writer’s Showcase as part of Franke Tobey Jones Senior University.

Entries can be in the form of prose or poetry and must relate to the theme “home.” Entries should be no more than 1500 words and be submitted in a PDF format that does not include the author’s name or any other identifying information. The entry deadline is April 28, 2024.

Rules and Judging Criteria

Topic

• The story/poem/essay must relate in some way to the theme “home.”

General

• The contest is open to prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction.
• The story/poem/essay must be your original idea and work.
• The contest is open to anyone 55 years of age or better.
• Submission indicates acceptance of the Contest Rules as outlined below.

Word Limits

• The submission cannot be longer than 1500 words.
• Incorrectly hyphenated words will be counted as two words. Examples: old-man, hot-fire.
• Numerals will be considered a word.
• The title is not included in the word limit.

Prizes

• 1st Prize (Best of Contest) $350
• 2nd Prize (Best of Topic) $200
• 3rd Prize $100
• 3 Juror’s Picks awarded at $50 each

Entry Fees

• $20 for up to 2 pieces
• $20 more for any additional submissions up to 2 pieces per entry

Deadline

• April 28, 2024

Formatting Requirements

• 1-inch margins, Arial font, 12 pt., double spaced.
• The story/poem/essay must be in pdf format.
• Do not include your name or email address on the pdf copy submitted.

Submitting Your Story

• Visit our website at https://www.franketobeyjones.com/community/events/pnsws/.

Communications

• We will communicate with you through email.
• Our email address is pacificnorthwestseniorwriters@gmail.com.
• Please remember to check your spam folder.

Judging Criteria

• Does the story/poem/essay address the topic in an imaginative, creative, or unexpected way?
• Does the story/poem/essay contain the selected theme or idea?
• Does the quality of the writing enhance the story/poem/essay?
• Is the story/poem/essay compelling?
• Did it have a memorable impact on the reader?

Judging Mechanics

• Judging will be blind.
• The judges’ decisions are final.

Publication

• Franke Tobey Jones will publish the chosen story/poem/essay in a printed book.
• Authors agree Franke Tobey Jones may publish the story/poem/essay.
• Authors agree Franke Tobey Jones may have you read the story/poem/essay s at a public event.
• Authors agree that the top 3 contest winners will have their pieces posted on the Franke Tobey Jones
  website.
• Authors will be given one free copy of the book, but additional copies will need to be purchased.
• Authors agree to the sale of the completed book to help offset the cost of the printing.

Copyright 

• The author retains copyright to the work. 

Notification to Authors 

• Contest participants will be notified of the results in early July 2024.
• The 6 authors chosen to receive prizes will be asked to read their pieces at an event on October 30,
• 2024, taking place between 5:00 – 7:00 pm. At that time, the winners will learn which prize they
  received.
• All authors are encouraged to come to the event and all published authors will be given a copy of the
  completed book at that time.