2011 Original Writing Contest (Entries due June 30)

For immediate release
April 20, 2011

2011 Original Writing Contest
Online entries due June 30

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums 53rd annual Utah Original Writing Contest is open for entries in seven categories. Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2011. Cash prizes will be awarded for first and second place winners.

“Over the past half-century this contest has recognized authors who have gone on to significant careers, including the nationally noted fiction writer Ron Carlson, and all three of Utah’s Poets Laureate: David Lee, Katharine Coles, and Ken Brewer,” said Margaret Hunt, Director of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. “We look forward to discovering the next generation of literary talent in Utah.”

The seven contest categories in 2011 are:
A. Novel-fiction (minimum length 60,000 words)
B. Biography/autobiography-nonfiction (minimum length 60,000 words)
C. Book-length collection of short stories-fiction (minimum length 60,000 words)
D. Young adult book-fiction or nonfiction appealing to readers aged 13 to 18 including compilations of stories for young adults
E. Poetry-a collection of 10 poems for adults (maximum length 1,000 lines)
F. Short story-fiction appealing to adults (maximum length 7,500 words)
G. Personal essay-nonfiction appealing to adults (maximum length 7,500 words)

The Original Writing Competition is a first book contest. Writers in the first four categories cannot have had a book published or accepted for publication in the category they wish to enter and authors must be legal residents of the state of Utah. Only one submission may be entered in each category and all entries must be submitted online at artsandmuseums.utah.gov. Complete guidelines are available at artsandmuseums.utah.gov, under areas of interest, literary arts.

The 2010 Original Writing Contest winners were:
· Novel: Jennifer Sinor, Logan, “How Thin the Line”
· General nonfiction: M. Dane Picard, Salt Lake City, “The Hot and the Cold”
· Book-length collection of poems: Heidi Hart, Salt Lake City, “Her Bone Throat”
· Juvenile book: Ruth Johnson Asay, Bountiful, “The Witch Broom Maker of Goblin Valley”
· Poetry: Nancy Takacs, Wellington, “The Woman I Have Always Wanted to Be”
· Short story: Dawn Houghton, Salt Lake City, “Tan Your Hide”
· Personal essay: Jeff Metcalf, Salt Lake City, “The Unspoken”

For more information visit the Division of Arts & Museums website at www.artsandmuseums.utah.gov or contact Guy Lebeda at glebeda@utah.gov, 801.236.7553.


About the Utah Division of Arts & Museums
The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Community and Culture with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The Division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information about programs and services can be found at www.artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555.