3^rd Annual Writing Contest for Middle & High School Students – Sponsored by the Chantilly Regional Public Library & the Writers of Chantilly 

Deadline: August 15, 2015

The Chantilly Regional Public Library, and the Writers of Chantilly, a not-for-profit organization of local professional and aspiring writers in Chantilly, VA, are sponsoring a free writing contest open to all middle and high school students in Fairfax County.

Students are invited to write an original essay, short story or poem on the theme of “Mysteries and Wonders”—about a hidden treasure or marvel, a surprise history, or a new discovery.

First through third place winners will be chosen to read their work at an author event held on Sunday, September 27, 2015, at the Chantilly Regional Library. Winners also will receive a writing prize package, and have their work published in a future Writers of Chantilly anthology.

Rules:

·         Only one entry per author may be entered

·         Entries must be postmarked/received by August 15, 2015 to be eligible

·         Works must be written by students, and reflect their own original ideas

·         Pieces will be judged on creativity, content and structure (stories and essays should have a beginning, middle and end; poems may be free verse)

·         Stories can be fiction or nonfiction

·         Only unpublished works are eligible

·         Previous winners of a Writers of Chantilly writing contest are not eligible to enter

·         Entries must be typed in English

·         Maximum word count of 1,500

Include your name, grade, school, mailing address, email address and phone number with your entry (your information will be kept confidential), and note if your piece is fiction or nonfiction. All entries will be acknowledged; winners will be notified by September 12, 2015. Send or email entries to: 

The Writers of Chantilly—Writing Contest

c/o 14205 Hartwood Court

Centreville, Virginia 20121

Email to: WOCwritingcontest@gmail.com

About the Writers of Chantilly

The Writers' of Chantilly meets twice monthly at the Chantilly Library to encourage and support writers 18 and over at all levels—newcomers warmly welcomed. WOC has published several anthologies, the most recent being Unfinished Business, available on Amazon.com or through the Fairfax County Public Library system. More info: WOCwritingcontest@gmail.com; writersofchantilly.blogspot.com

This writing contest has been approved by Fairfax County Public Schools.