General Information

The contest deadline this year is June 16, 2008. The contest is open to members of the League and to nonmembers who are 14 or older. Beginning this year, the LUW contest will alternate children’s categories with teen and young adult categories each year. We’ll start in 2008 with the children’s categories (ages 4 to 11). In 2009, we’ll accept categories for ages 12 to 18.

If you have questions, call Ceil at 801-722-4718, email contest@luwrite.com, or go to the LUW message board at www.luwrite.com.

Prizes

Judges will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in each category. Cash awards for short categories are $30, $20, and $10, respectively. Cash awards for children’s, middle grade, and young adult full-length books are $50, $25, and $15. Cash awards for full-length books are $100, $50, and $25.Up to three honorable mentions (non-cash awards) will also be awarded in each category.

Entry Rules

1. All entries must be the original work of the contestant. Previously published books, including manuscripts accepted for publication before the June 16, 2008, do not qualify for this contest. Published works may only be submitted for Publication Awards.

2. A manuscript may not be entered in more than one category.

3. Manuscripts previously awarded a Roundup cash prize are not eligible in subsequent LUW contests.

4. The Contest Committee reserves the right to combine any category with fewer than 10 entries with another category or to declare “no contest.”

5. Every entry is entitled to a critique—even those in categories declared “no contest.” If a “no contest” occurs, you may waive your right to a critique and have your entry fees returned instead. To do this, mark “No critique” on your submission sheet.

6. Entries are final as submitted.

7. Entries that do not follow the guidelines or are in poor taste (as determined by the Contest Committee) will be disqualified and the entry fee forfeited.

Manuscript Guidelines

On the first page ...

8. The author’s name must not appear anywhere on the manuscript, synopsis, or excerpt.

9. Double-space your manuscripts. Use 12-point font (Arial, Times New Roman, Palatino, or similar) on standard 81⁄2 x 11-inch white paper with one-inch margins all around. Poetry may be single-spaced.

10. Place category name and number in the top right corner of the page. Note that some categories require age group or genre in parentheses on this line.

11. Enter the total word count one space directly below the category name, etc. on the top right corner of the page. For poetry, use line count instead of word count.(Do not count the title.)

12. Return four spaces and type the title of your entry centered on the page (except for haiku, which do not use titles). Return two more spaces and begin the manuscript (remember to indent paragraphs).

13. Do not place a page number on the first page.

On subsequent pages ...

14. Place the title (or abbreviated title) of your entry in the upper right corner of the page.

15. Number each page in the upper left corner.

Synopsis ...

16. A synopsis is a plot summary. The synopsis is generally 1 to 2 double-spaced pages in the same format used for the entry itself. The synopsis is part of the manuscript. It should be written in present tense and include the ending.

Excerpt ...

17. Only one excerpt is needed, but send two copies of the original work for short categories that do not require an excerpt. One is for the judge to make comments and the other is for you to read at the awards ceremony if you win. For electronic submissions, send only one copy.

18. An excerpt is a sample of your writing from your manuscript. It can be up to 500 words. Your name should not appear on the excerpt. As with your entry, include a heading with the category, category number, entry title, and word count. Then return four spaces and center the word “Excerpt.”

Submission Procedures

19. Assemble all pages of each manuscript in order. Use paperclips only.

20. Fill out a Personal Submissions Chart and attach it to the top of the first document with a paperclip. Keep a copy of all submissions for your own records.

21. Electronic submissions are entries sent as PDF or XPS attachments, or in the body of an email. Please do not send WordPerfect files because they can corrupt during email transmission. Send submissions to contest@luwrite.com.Send a Personal Submissions Chart with each group of electronic entries. You must also mail a duplicate Personal Submissions Chart along with your fee and any other hardcopy entries. Total all your fees, prepare one check made out to League of Utah Writers, and attach it by paperclip to the submission chart. If you send in more entries later, include a personal submission chart marked “additional entries.”

22. Submit book-length entries in a sturdy cardboard box.

23. Adequate postage must accompany all hardcopies. Place loose stamps in a sealed envelope paper-clipped to your entry form to ensure the return of your entries. (Entries sent by email will be returned by email after Roundup.)

Mail your entries to:

Ceil DeYoung

224 S Main St., #435

Springville, UT 84663

Announcement of Winners

This will take place at the League of Utah Writers Roundup, September 12 and 13, 2008 in Ogden, Utah at the Ogden Hotel Marriott. Poetry winners will be announced at a banquet on Friday night. Awards for children’s categories will be presented at a luncheon on Saturday. All other awards will be presented at a banquet on Saturday night. Only first place winners will read entries or excerpts. In the event that a first place winner is not present, the next place winner will read. Entries that are not picked up at the awards banquet will be returned via SASE.

 

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