1st Prize: $150
2nd Prize: $125
3rd Prize: $100
Honorable Mention: $75

Rules

Entry Form             Rules-only page

Eligibility Requirements

Submit no later than April 1 postmark. Contest open to teens (aged 15-19 years) either residing in Nevada County or attending a school within Nevada County.

Submission Format

Manuscripts must be typed double spaced, 250-300 words per page, one side only, pages numbered consecutively. Do not use bold script. Either Courier or Times New Roman recommended. Size 12 point font is a must.

More Rules

1. Short stories only, 2000 word maximum. (8-9 pages)

2. One short story per person. Submit two copies of each entry.

3. Do not include your name or address on your manuscript.

4. Do include Title and page number at the top of each page.

5. All entries will be judged anonymously.

6. Submitting the Entry Form is a must.

7. Mail manuscript, plus entry form, to Chuck Jaffee, Sierra Writers Contest Co-chair, P.O. Box 1595, Grass Valley, CA 95945.

8. Entries must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2009.

9. Winners announced in early May 2009. Prizes awarded shortly thereafter.

10. Winning manuscripts may be posted on Sierra Writers' Web Site and may be included in a future anthology—with author’s permission.

11. Copyright remains with author.

12. Sierra Writers reserves the right to cancel contest in the absence of sufficient entries of merit. Decisions of the judges are final.

13. Be sure to retain a copy of your entry. No manuscripts will be returned.

(See the Young Writers Photos page.)

 

Winners from 2009

1st: Kelly Hoff, "The Dove"
2nd: Amy Sullivan, "Tidings"
3rd: Jennifer Petersen, "Rebecca Shaw's Murder?"

Winners from 2008

1st: Brittany Blake, "Picture of You"
2nd: Michael Voorhees, "Judgment Day"
3rd: Ariel Castro, "The Pinata the Fights Back"

Honorable Mention

Zoe Toffaleti, "Literally"

Camille Cadeaux, "The Legend of the Invisible Flying Monkey"

William Forrest Holden, "It’s Christmas in America"

Winners from 2007

1st: Joseph Schumacher, "Burn"
2nd: Logan Kaper, "Hazel's Smile"
3rd: Mira Clark, "A Bag of Candy"

Honorable Mention

Alanna McDermott, "My Brother Tyler"
Frances Boero, Losing the Stars
Jenny L. Johnson, "Heroism Close to Home"
Christine Jun, "The Lonely Ride"

Winners from 2006

1st: Kristin Rodriguez, "Crystal"
2nd: Brittany Blake, "The Book Store"
3rd: Shuya Ma, "Sand Chronicle"

Honorable Mention

Sherri Ann Sewell, "Road to Sweet Kisses"
Ryan Hensley, "The Three Big Sneezes"
Morgan Pringle, "A Royal Wedding"

Winners from 2005

1st: Joseph Schumacher, "Driving Lessons"
2nd: Nicole Marie Jaggi, "Staying White in a Rainbow World
3rd: Brenna Michener, "Because There May Not Be a Tomorrow

Honorable Mention

Brian Kelley, "Keylime's Windy Day" (children's)
Travis Heard, "Nessy Near Turdia" (children's)
Stephanie Brown, "Rainy Day World" (open scene, haiku-ish)

Winners from 2004

1st: Meredith Blake, "Shatter"
2nd: Sarah Walker, "Cafe"
3rd: Aubyn Eli, "The Proud Brother"
4th (tie): Thea Rose Mertens, "Elemental Love"
4th (tie): Megan Chapman, "A World of My Own"

Honorable Mention

Bernado Cavanna, "My Life Under the Control of the Child Protection Agency"

Winners from 2003

1st: Sarah Walker, "Curse Flashes"
2nd: Sara McCardle-Blunk, "Freedom Is Another Name for...What?"
3rd: Cody Juric, "The Issue"
4th: Kim Ellerbroek, "Blackberry Summer"

Winners from 2002

1st: R. Cameron Wilson, "As Choice Renders"
2nd: Ansley Pierce, "My Treasure"
3rd: Meredith L. Blake, "Lisa"

Honorable Mention

Molly Heck, "Emily's Flight"

Winners from 2001

1st: Wes Dodson, "I, Lucifer"
2nd: Jamie Harris, "The Enchantment of Wolves"
3rd: Melinda Kunkel, "The Steel Guitar"

Honorable Mention

Jamie Molaro, "Tasha's Gift"
Nikki Hodgson, "Hoofprints Embedded in the Pavement
Dalton R. Shotwell, "A Wake-Up Call"
Matt Hamer, "Bizarre Invaders"