and Literary Natchez Present
Writers
Competition
Theme:
Coming of Age
If you have a coming of age story, we want to read it. The First Annual Natchez Writing Event will feature a Writer's Competition inspired by the novel The Majestic Leo Marble by R.J. Lee. The theme of the Competition is COMING OF AGE. Finalists will have the opportunity to read their stories at Robert Kuehnle's reading, reception and book signing on April 12, 2025, when the winner will be announced by final judge, Robert Kuehnle!
Proceeds of this event will go to Y'all Means All Natchez, an organization that envisions a more open, accepting, and active Natchez/Miss-Lou area in which a welcoming atmosphere embraces a diversity of perspectives, lifestyles, and cultures.
Competition Rules and Information
The Fine Print
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PRIZES: 1ST PLACE $100, 2ND PLACE $50, 3RD PLACE $25
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OPEN TO NEW AND AMATEUR WRITERS
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ALL JUDGING DONE BY PROFESSIONAL WRITERS ONLY
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NO ENTRY FEE IS REQUIRED
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ENTRANTS RETAIN ALL PUBLICATION RIGHTS
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DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS APRIL 5, 2025
RULES:
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The theme of the work is "Coming of Age." The work can be in any style or form of your choosing. whether autobiographic, fiction, or "autofiction," as inspired by the work of guest author Robert Kuehnle in his novel The Majestic Leo Marble.
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No entry fee is required, and all rights in the work remain the property of the author. All types of writing are welcome that are on the topic of coming of age.
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By submitting to the Contest, the entrant agrees to abide by all Contest rules.
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All entries must be original works by the entrant, in English. Plagiarism, which includes the use of third-party poetry, song lyrics, characters, or another person’s universe, without written permission, will result in disqualification. Short stories or novelettes generated or created by computer software and/or artificial intelligence will be disqualified.
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Entries may not have been previously published in professional media.
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To be eligible, entries must be works of prose, up to 1,000 words in length.
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The Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette..
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Entries submitted in electronic format only (.pdf, .doc, etc.) in an easily readable standard font, (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, Chalkboard, etc.) and at lease 12 pt., in size, double-spaced lines.
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Each page must carry the title of the work and a page number. In order to facilitate fair, anonymous judging, no page shall contain the author’s name. Instead, please include in your submission email the author’s legal name, pen name if applicable, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and approximate word count.
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Manuscripts will not be returned after judging.
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There shall be a cash prizes awarded as follows: $100 for First Place, $50 for Second Place and $25 for Third Place. All award and honorable mention recipients shall receive a certificate suitable for framing.
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Entrants may submit more than one entry; however, each entry must be emailed separately.
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All entries are final. No revisions are accepted.
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Entries will be judged in two rounds. In the first round, a panel of professional local authors will select the top entries. Top entrants will be invited to read their work at the signing of Robert Kuehnle’s latest autobiographical novel, The Majestic Leo Marble, at his book signing event on April 12, 2025, beginning at 3:00 p.m., at Big Muddy Inn, located at 411 N. Commerce Street, Natchez, Mississippi. Mr. Kuehnle will judge the top entries, and be the final judge of the competition.
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Mr. Kuehnle will announce the winner at the event.
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This contest is void where prohibited by law.
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Email entries to literarynatchez@gmail.com no later than midnight April 5, 2025.