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  We're sorry, but the doors to the Writer's Contest are now CLOSED. 

  Winners will be announced at Archon 33.  Please check your Archon Program Book for further information. 

                                     - Thank you for your consideration and support. -

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Once again we invite budding writers to enter our amateur writer’s contest. The winner will be scheduled for a reading on Friday evening after Opening Ceremonies. 

The criteria for the contest are:

·         Contestant must be age 18 or older, and pre-registered for Archon 33 prior to July 31, 2009.

·         Manuscripts are limited to a Sci-Fi / Fantasy theme.

·         Stories are to be Original and Unique (Not written in another’s realm.)

·         Stories may not have been previously published.

·         3000 words or fewer, double-spaced.

·         Previously entered manuscripts will be accepted, if revised from original.

·         Manuscripts should be submitted in the following font type:Times New Roman Font, 12 pitch.*

·         Four (4) copies of the manuscript.

·         Each copy is to be unidentified by author, on the manuscript pages.

·         Manuscript pages should have the title in the upper left-hand corner of each page, and sequential numbers in the lower right-hand corner.

·         Each submission should be accompanied by a single cover letter with the following:

• Manuscript’s Title
• Total word count and number of pages
• Author’s name
• Address
• Phone number (with area code)
• Author's email address for receipt purposes

ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JULY 31, 2009.

MAIL SUBMISSIONS TO:

Archon Amateur Writer's Contest

P.O. Box 27

Collinsville, IL 62234

Contact Beth Bancroft at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Below is a sample of the judges scoring criteria:

ARCHON AMATEUR WRITER’S CONTEST JUDGES' SCORE SHEET TITLE OF ENTRY: JUDGE # FINAL SCORE (100): ________ 

1. _____(1 -10 points) That All-Important First Page (catchy opening hook, begins in the right place, arouses curiosity, etc.) 
2. _____(1 - 20 points) Plot & Conflict Pacing (freshness of premise and plot, suitable pacing, believability, retaining reader interest, external and internal conflict, plausible conflict, avoidance of “big misunderstandings,” etc.) 
3. _____(1 - 20) Characterization (empathy with protagonists, GMC, credible actions and reactions, etc.) 
4. _____(1-15) Writing Style and Technique (voice, showing vs. telling, POV smoothness, vivid writing. 
5. _____(1 - 10) Dialogue (authenticity, balance between dialogue and narrative, etc.) 
6. _____(1 - 10) Reader Experience (setting, world building, speculative elements, research, etc.) 
7. _____(1 - 5) Professional Presentation (formatting, grammar, proofreading) 
8. _____(1 - 10) Overall Impression (the manuscript as a reading experience)