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Well Versed

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for printable copy of manuscript guidelines and forms.

Well Versed  is the principal literary publication of the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild. Published annually, it features original poetry and prose by area writers.

Well Versed: Literary Works 2009  is now available. You may order it from Amazon or purchase it at any CCMWG event.

Well Versed is a year-round activity for CCMWG. Submissions for the 2010 edition are being accepted until October 31, 2009. We invite submissions from published and unpublished authors, members and nonmembers.

Manuscripts must be submitted in two forms: as a Word attachment addressed to WellVersed2010@gmail.com and a manuscript mailed to Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild, P. O. Box 7628, Columbia, MO 65205-7628.

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: Literary Works 2010. Well Versed is published each year, and submissions are accepted throughout the year. The closing date for manuscripts to be considered for the 2010 edition is October 31, 2009. 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.

NONFICTION (features, essays, memoirs, etc.) of 1,500 words or less will best suit this publication.

A maximum of three pieces of prose from any author will be considered.

GRAPHICS of original art work and black-and-white photographs are welcome.

All submissions must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman. Use three-space paragraph indention for prose. Poetry should be single-spaced and all other works should be double-spaced. Pages should be numbered. Spelling and grammar must be as the author intends.

To ensure anonymity and objective judging, place no author identification on the work itself. Place the author’s name, address, telephone number, the title(s) of the work(s), and the first line(s) on a separate page/file. The author page is to include a short paragraph (75 words or less) of biographical information written in third person.

CCMWG purchases first rights. Payment upon publication is $1.00 per piece accepted and one copy of the issue in which the work appears (a $10.00 value).

Click here
for printable copy of manuscript guidelines and forms.


Annual Columbia Chapter Missouri Writers’ Guild
Prose and Poetry Contests

The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild runs prose and poetry contests, in conjunction with publication of the yearly journal – Well Versed.

Submissions of prose, poetry, and graphics for Well Versed are open. All submissions are automatically entered into a contest. No entry fee is required from members of CCMWG. Entry fee for nonmembers is $5 for each prose entry and $5 for one to five poetry entries. Nonmembers may choose to join CCMWG for $15 and not pay entry fees. This decision must be made at time of payment.

Click Here for Nonmember Entry Form.

Deadline for submissions is October 31, 2009. Items selected will earn an honorarium of $1 plus one copy of the journal per contributor.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction

1st Place - $50
2nd Place - $30
3rd Place - $20
Honorable Mentions – Certificates


Rules – Prose:

  1. Open subject, open genre. (No pornography, graphic violence, sex, or scatology.)
  2. Unpublished at time of submission, original work of contestant.
  3. Standard manuscript, typed and double-spaced, pages numbered, and title of entry on every page. 12-point Times New Roman, three-space paragraph indentions.
  4. No more than 1,500 words, excluding title.
  5. Must be submitted both electronically via email and on paper.

Rules – Poetry:

  1. Poetry may be any form.
  2. Unpublished at time of submission, original work of contestant.
  3. Standard manuscript, typed and single-spaced, pages numbered and title of entry on every page. 12-point Times New Roman.
  4. Poems should be limited to one page (limited to five poems per entrant).
  5. Poetry must be submitted on separate pages for judging purposes.

General rules for both categories:

  1. Include cover sheet for submission(s) with contestant’s name, address, phone number, e-mail, title of each entry, and a 75-word third-person biography. Name and contact information may only appear on cover sheet, not manuscript. Note: Nonmembers must include the amount being sent in and whether it is to be applied to contest entries or membership.
  2. Submit no later than October 31, 2009. Submit email and paper entries simultaneously. Send email to WellVersed2010@gmail.com with subject line of: Well Versed Contest Entry. Send paper entries to CCMWG, P.O. Box 7628, Columbia, MO 65205-7628.
  3. CCMWG members pay no fee.
  4. Nonmembers must pay $5 per prose entry and $5 for one to five poems. Make checks payable to CCMWG.
  5. Send membership fee ($15) to
    Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild P. O. Box 7628 Columbia , MO 65205-7628
  6. Make checks payable to CCMWG.

By submitting to Well Versed you are agreeing that your entry can be published unless you submit a withdrawal from publication by November 30. If your submission is chosen for publication you will be paid a $1 honorarium per item selected. You will also receive a copy of the journal in which your work appears.

The contest is open to members of CCWMG and nonmembers. For a list of winners, check our website: http://columbiawrites.coin.org after April 1, 2010.

Decision of the judges is final. CCMWG is not responsible for lost or misdirected entries. First, second, and third place contest winners will be notified on or around March 1, 2010. Winners will be announced in the CCWMG newsletter.

Click here
for printable copy of manuscript guidelines and forms.