Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine!'s Essay and Short Story Contest

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.
~ Toni Morrison

Of interest to all writers in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Posted on The Writer's Center in Bethesda's website:

The Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine's Essay and Short Story Contest. Winners will be honored at the Bethesda Literary Festival, April 16-18, 2010. Deadline to submit is February 26, 2010.

Essay Contest
Topic: What is your approach to life? Reveal your personal philosophy.

Requirements
Essays should be limited to 500 words or less. Submissions must be sent via email as Microsoft word attachments to essay@bethesda.org. The writer's full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address must be in the email and on the first page of the story itself. Submissions without this information will be disqualified.

Eligibility
Residents of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia are eligible. The contest will take entries in two categories: Young Adult (grades 9-12) and Adult (ages 18 +). Writers must specify whether they are entering the young adult or the adult contest.
Questions? Please email scoppula@bethesda.org or call 301.215.6660.

Short Story Contest
Topic: Open

Requirements
Stories must be limited to 4,000 words or less. Submissions must be sent via email as Microsoft word attachments to shortstory@bethesdamagazine.com. The writer's full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address must be in the email and on the first page of the story itself. Submissions without this information will be disqualified.

Eligibility
Residents of Montgomery County, MD and Upper NW Washington, DC only are eligible. The contest will take entries in two categories: Young Adult (grades 9-12) and Adult (ages 18+). Writers must specify whether they are entering the young adult or the adult contest.
Questions? Please email katryn.norman@bethesdamagazine.com or call 301.718.7787 ext 207
For more information, visit www.bethesda.org or http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/

AWARDS:
First place: $500 and published short story & Essay in Bethesda Magazine.
Second Place: $250
Third Place: 150
Honorable mention: $75
The first place winner will also receive a gift certificate to The Writer's Center

Each second, third, and honorable mention essay and short story will be published on the Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Urban Partnership Web sites. Up to 10 finalists in each category will be honored during the Bethesda Literary Festival.

Young Adult winners receive: $250, first place; $100, second place; $50, third place. Bethesda Magazine will print the first place essay & short story.