The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild invites area writers to submit their original manuscripts of poetry, fiction and/or nonfiction for publication in Well Versed - 2009. Well Versed is published each year, and submissions are accepted throughout the year. The closing date for manuscripts to be considered for the 2009 edition is November 30, 2008. Here are the guidelines for having your work considered by the editors:
POETRY is published in any form. A maximum of FIVE poems from any author will be considered Selections of thirty lines or less are preferred but longer works will be considered.
SHORT FICTION of 1,500 words or less will best suit this publication. All genres are accepted for consideration.
FEATURES may include interviews with published writers and reviews of newly published books and should be 700-850 words. Query before submitting a feature.
ESSAYS on any subject may be submitted. 1,500 words or less are preferred.
GRAPHICS of original art work and black-and-white photographs are welcome.
All submissions must be typed in standard font (Helvetica or Times New Roman, 12 point only). Spelling and grammar must be as the author intends. Poetry should be single-spaced and all other works should be double-spaced. Pages should be numbered. The author's name, address, telephone number, the title of the work, and its first line are to be typed on a separate page. No identifying information should appear on the work itself, in order to ensure objective and anonymous judging.
A short paragraph of biographical information should accompany submissions. INCLUDE SASE WITH ALL SUBMISSIONS; otherwise submissions will not be returned.
First rights are purchased. Payment upon publication is $1.00 per piece accepted and one copy of the issue in which the work appears (a $7.00 value).
We prefer submissions to be sent via e-mail to ccmwg@yahoo.com.
However, you may mail submissions to:
Editor, "Well Versed"
CCMWG
P. O. Box 7628
Columbia MO 65205-7628
1 St Annual Columbia Chapter Missouri Writers' Guild
Prose and Poetry Contests
The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild announces its first annual prose and poetry contests, to be run in conjunction with publication of their yearly journal – Well Versed.
Submissions of prose, poetry and photography for Well Versed are open. No entry fee is required for submissions. Postmarked deadline for submissions is November 30, 2008. Items selected will receive an honorarium of $1 plus one copy of the journal.
Prizes will be awarded in the various classes.
Rules – Prose:
- Open subject, open genre. (No pornography, graphic violence, sex or language)
- Unpublished at time of submission, original work of contestant.
- Standard manuscript from 8½ x 11 paper, typed and double-spaced, pages numbered and title of entry on every page. 12 point Times New Roman
- No more than 1,500 words, excluding title.
- Two copies of each entry, paper clips only – no staples
Rules – Poetry:
- Poetry may be any form.
- Unpublished at time of submission, original work of contestant
- Standard manuscript from 8 ½ x 11 paper, typed and double-spaced, pages numbered and title of entry on every page. 12 point Times New Roman
- Poems should be limited to one page (limited to three poems per entrant)
- Two copies of each entry, paper clips only – no staples
General rules for both categories:
- Cover sheet for each story, with contestant's name, address, phone number, e-mail (if you have one), and title of entry. (Name may only appear on cover sheet, not manuscript.)
- Postmarked no later than November 30, 2008. (DO NOT SEND CERTIFIED MAIL)
- E-mailed submissions are preferred for the journal, but contest entries must be mailed flat, not folded, with sufficient postage to:
- Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild
P. O. Box 7628
Columbia , MO 65205-7628 - Make checks payable to: CCMWG
Prize winners and honorable mention recipients (top five) will be given the opportunity to have their story included (one time rights) in Well Versed literary anthology, published in Spring 2009. If winners choose to have their story published, they will receive an additional $1 honorarium plus one copy of the journal.
Contest is open to members of CCWMG and non-members. For a list of winners, check our website: http://columbiawrites.coin.org after April 1, 2009.
Decision of the judges is final. Not responsible for loss of misdirected entries. Money winners will be notified on or around February 1, 2009. Winners will be announced in the CCWMG newsletter. Manuscripts will not be returned.