Who can enter?

We have categories for almost everyone. Certain categories are reserved for League members, while three categories are reserved for writers who have never won a cash prize in a previous League of Utah Writers competition. For more information on categories, see Contest Categories on the 2007 Roundup Main Page.

What are the prizes?

Judges will award first, second and third places and up to three honorable mentions in each category. Cash awards for categories 1 to 23 are

$30, $20, and $10 for first, second, and third place. Awards for children’s, middle grade, and young adult books are $50, $30, and $20. Awards

for full-length books are $100, $75, and $35.

What are the rules?

• Entries must be your own original work.

• Entries must be written in English.

• You may enter each manuscript in only one category.

• Your entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, June 15, 2007—no exceptions. Entries are final as submitted and postmarked on or    before that date.

• Your entries must be unpublished and not accepted for publication in any form, including online, before June 15, 2007. Published works are only eligible for the annual LUW Publication Awards.

• If your manuscript has already won a LUW cash prize, you may not enter it in another LUW contest.

• If an entry in a “members only” category is co-authored, you and your co-author must both be members in good standing.

• A category with fewer than 10 entries may be combined with another category or declared “no contest.” In the case of a no contest  decision, your entry fee will be returned.

• You must follow the specific guidelines for each category you enter. If you don’t follow the rules and manuscript guidelines, your entries will be disqualified and fees forfeited.

• Entries in poor taste (as determined by the contest committee) will be disqualified and fees forfeited.

• After the 2007 Roundup, entries that aren’t claimed will be returned to the chapter presidents. If you aren’t a member of the League, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your entry. Remember to put enough postage on your envelope (no loose stamps, please).

How do I format my entry?

Our entry format is similar to those of commercial publishers, but unique to accommodate the blind judging. Please follow these guidelines carefully. Just as publishers will reject your submission if you don’t follow their formats, we must do the same if you don’t follow ours.

• Each group of manuscripts must be accompanied by a Personal Submissions Chart (see Personal Submission Form (PDF) on the 2007 Roundup Main Page). This is the only page in your entry where your name will appear. Use your legal name, not a pen name.

• Don’t put your name anywhere on your manuscripts, including in a synopsis or excerpt if either one of these is required.

• Type your manuscripts in 12-point Times New Roman font. Prose must be double-spaced; poetry may be single-spaced. If you’re using a typewriter instead of a computer, choose a machine that doesn’t type in script because it’s hard for the judges to read. (This is an example of script.)

• Use standard 8½ x 11-inch white paper with one-inch margins on all sides. Don’t try to fit more words on a page by using smaller fonts, reducing margins, or spacing lines more closely together.

• On the first page, type the category name and number in the top right-hand corner. Return one space and directly beneath the category type the total word count for your entry as determined by your word processing program. Please don’t guess or estimate the word count. For poetry, type the line count (not including the title) instead of the word count.

• Return four spaces and type the title of your entry, centered and bolded. This excludes haiku poetry, which doesn’t use titles.

• On all subsequent pages, type the title or abbreviated title of your entry in the upper right-hand corner.

• Number all subsequent pages in the upper right-hand corner. Most word processing programs will place the number just above or below the rest of the header. If your program doesn’t do this, please type the page numbers in manually.

• Make your work professional quality. Proofread your entries carefully. Errors in grammar, spelling, and typing will receive mandatory penalties.

What’s a synopsis, and when do I need one?

A synopsis is a plot summary, no longer than two double-spaced pages. You must provide a synopsis with certain long pieces (see the Contest  category rules on the 2007 Roundup Main Page). Your name should not appear on the synopsis. Use the same format that you use for the entry itself. We require the synopsis to help you practice an important skill that publishers often require with certain types of material. It will be judged for content and style, with comments geared toward helping you learn more about what publishers require.

What’s an excerpt, and when do I need one?

An excerpt is a short sample of writing from your entry. It should be your favorite part, but no longer than two double-spaced pages. You must provide two copies of an excerpt for all entries that are longer than two pages. Your name should not appear on the excerpt. Use the same format that you use for the entry itself, except that you may print the title on the same line as the page number or one space below. We require the excerpt so a portion of your entry may be read at Roundup if you win a prize. This gives you a chance to show off your writing skills and gives your peers the opportunity to savor the flavor your work. Excerpts will not be judged. Generally, the first place winner in each prose category will read an excerpt. If a first place winner is not present, the next place winner will be asked to read an excerpt. For poetry, the top three winners in each category will be asked to read their winning works. For those few categories that don’t require an excerpt, such as poetry, please send two copies of the original work. One copy will be included in the packet you take home from Roundup, and the other will be used to read at the awards ceremony if you win. If you want both copies returned, see Ceil Elliot (contest chair) after the ceremony.

How do I submit my entry?

• You may send all manuscripts in one package. Include the Personal Submissions Chart (see Personal Submission Form (PDF) on the 2007 Roundup Main Page). with your entries and keep a copy for your own records. This helps the contest committee to track the hundreds of submissions sent to the contest and to return them after the awards presentation. You can find the Personal Submissions Chart and a schedule of fees on this website at www.luwrite.com.

• Assemble all pages of each manuscript in order. Fill out and attach the Personal Submissions Chart to the first page of the first manuscript with a paper clip.

• Total all your entry fees and submit a single check made out to The League of Utah Writers for your entire entry. Double check your figures to make sure you’re sending the right amount. If your check is written for an incorrect amount, you may be disqualified. If you decide to send in additional entries later, submit an updated Personal Submissions Chart with the new entries clearly identified as “additional entries.”

• If you aren’t a member of the League, include a 9 x 12-inch (or larger) self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can return your entries after Roundup. Use your own address as both the sender and receiver to make sure you receive the package. Remember to put enough postage on the envelope. The League will not provide missing postage.

• Submit book-length entries in a sturdy cardboard box. If you aren’t a League member, include enough loose stamps in a sealed envelope so we may return your book to you after Roundup. Clearly mark the envelope with your name and address and paper-clip it to your entry form.

• Keep copies of all your entries and of your Personal Submissions Chart. The League is not responsible for lost or misdirected entries.

When will I know if I’ve won?

Winners will be announced at the 2007 Roundup, September 14 and 15 in St. George, Utah. Please plan to attend the banquet in which awards for the categories you entered will be presented. First, second and third place winners in the poetry contest will be asked to read their winning entries at the awards ceremony on Friday night. First place winners in prose categories will be asked to read excerpts from their winning entries at the Saturday awards ceremony. If a first place winner is not present, the next place winner will be asked to read an excerpt or entry. Entries and awards for people who are unable to attend the awards ceremonies will be returned to the chapter presidents or via self-addressed, stamped envelopes where provided.

 

If you have any questions, please email Contest Chair Ceil Elliot at contest@luwrite.com or grannyceil@hotmail.com, or call 801-722-4718.