The Chattanooga Writers Guild is hosting a 2013 Flash Fiction Contest.   The deadline to apply has been extended to April 2.

The contest is open to anyone over the age of 18 with the following exceptions: members of the CWG board of directors, contest committee, and their families.  

The first prize will be $100, second prize is $50 and third prize is $25. 

Here are the guidelines:

1.      Manuscripts may not be edited after they are sent. 

2.      Manuscripts will not be returned but may be withdrawn if an email letter is sent requesting withdrawal and clearly stating the title of the piece. Authors should not consider a manuscript withdrawn until receiving confirmation from CWG. 

3.      Manuscripts must be unpublished. They may not be self-published. CWG retains first publication rights. Winning entries will be published in the CWG newsletter and on its webpage. 

4.      Type in a clear black 12-inch font on light background. Manuscripts should be single-spaced and double-spaced between paragraphs. No manuscript should exceed 1,500 words.  Your name or other identifying information must not appear on the manuscripts. Manuscripts will be coded for judging.

5.      Include a cover sheet with each entry that lists the title of your flash fiction story at the top. Beneath it, list the following contact information: author’s name, author’s pen name (if applicable), author’s mailing address, email address, phone number, number of words of the manuscript, skip five spaces and then provide a bio of 50 words or less. 

6.      Entry fees must be sent through PayPal. Go to the CWG webpage www.chattanoogawritersguild.org for payment.  CWG Members may submit one entry free. Subsequent entries are $10. The entry fee for nonmembers is $15. Subsequent entries are $10. Please note on the manuscript if it is a second or third or fourth, entry. 

7.      Submissions must be emailed on or before April 2. The subject line should state last name followed by CWG Flash. Cut and paste the manuscript into an email addressed to MarshaMathewsCWG2013@yahoo.com.

8.      Winners will be notified in a timely manner by phone or email and announced in the CWG online newsletter and on the webpage.  Do not contact CWG board members or contest committee members regarding the status of the contest. 

9.      CWG is not responsible for loss of manuscripts or electronic glitches. 

10.   We value each submission and understand the degree of work put into your stories. Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide feedback on your work. We encourage you, if you have not already done so, to join one of the many small writing groups available through the CWG, some of which provide opportunities for online feedback. 

These guidelines also appear at http://chattanoogawritersguild.org/uncategorized/short-fiction-contest/.