Get typing: S.A. Writers Guild opens contest

Attention writers (and we know there are some among our readership): The San Antonio Writers Guild has kicked off its annual contest, and as per usual, it’s offering cash prizes that are nothing to sneeze at. First place winners in each category will receive $100, second place $50 and third place $25 for acceptable entries in each category.

Beyond the cash, the SAWG contest may interest writers of sf/fantasy/horror because it doesn’t exclude genre fiction. One of the judges this year is even a genre writer: Austin-based sf writer Chris Roberson.

• Fiction categories:
  • Novel, first 15 pages accompanied by a 2-page single-spaced synopsis of the entire novel
  • Short story, 4,000-word limit
  • Flash fiction, 1,000-word limit
• Non-fiction categories:
  • Memoir/personal essay, 2,500-word limit
• Poetry category:
  • One to three poems equal one entry for fee purposes. Each poem will be judged individually. There is a 40-line limit per poem (including blank lines between verses), any style.

The deadline is Thursday, Oct. 7. A full list of rules, judges and a contest entry sheet are available here. Clean up those manuscripts and good luck.