We are now accepting submissions to the 2017 Fresh Ink Fiction Contest (formerly called the Youth Fiction Writing Contest).
The theme this year is: “Funny Running Into You Here.”
Hosted by the Texas Book Festival and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) at the University of Texas at Austin, with generous support from AT&T, the Fresh Ink Fiction Contest encourages and rewards creative writing in Texas schools. Junior and high school Texas students are invited to submit a piece of original fiction, no more than 2,000 words in length. The submissions are judged by Texas Book Festival authors, local educators, and leaders in the publishing industry. Submitted entries are considered in three divisions: grades 7-8; grades 9-10; and grades 11-12.
Winners receive a cash prize: $250 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. This year, for the first time, the first place prize will also include $500 awarded to their school library.
In addition, first place winners are awarded a plaque, have their stories published on the TBF website, and are invited to participate on a panel during the Texas Book Festival weekend. The Texas Book Festival and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement provide accommodations for the first place winners and their family for one night. Finalists and semi-finalists in grades 9-12 also receive an invitation to a writing workshop at the Texas Book Festival hosted by Austin Bat Cave.
2017 Fresh Ink Fiction Contest Rules: Entries that do not follow all contest rules will be disqualified.
1) Students must reside in Texas and enter in one of the three divisions: Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10, or Grades 11-12. Authors enter the division for which they were a student during the 2016-2017 academic year.
2) All entries must be an original piece of fiction. No fan fiction or works containing any plagiarism will be accepted.
3) All entries must be submitted by emailing a Word document to freshink@texasb
4) There is no entry fee.
5) Entries must be 2,000 words or less, 12 point type, double-spaced, and related to the 2017 Fresh Ink Fiction Contest theme.
6) Entries must have a cover page that includes name, entry title, grade level, and an automated word count.
7) Entries must be submitted between March 27, 2017 and June 1, 2017.
8) Each student may only enter one submission.
If you have any questions, email Lea Bogner (please do not email questions to the submission email above). Remember judges will look for excellence in use of dialogue, imagery, character development, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. Good luck, and get writing!
