Contest Information 2012
NEW CONTESTS!This year we're doing something different. We will have three independent contests during the year that must be entered separately from the longer annual contests that have a deadline in August. These contests are free to people who attended the 2011 conference and they are also free from new people if you send in your registration early.
SHORT STORY CONTEST
(Deadline April 30th, 2012)
Write a short fiction story, no longer than 5,000 words. Any genre. Make sure it is your very best work. There is a $5 entry fee for this story unless you were an attendee at the OCW 2011 conference. If you did not attend the conference last year, you can do so early and the contest is free. All others send your $5 entry fee check made out to OCW and two copies of your contest to:
Lou Turner
2731 Cumberland Landing
St. Charles, MO 63303
If you have questions you may email Lou at LouTurn@aol.com
Prize for the winner of this contest will be one free conference fee for 2012. This fee entitles you to attend the events for Thursday October 11, the conference itself on Friday October 12th, and the conference itself on Saturday October 13th. This prize does not include banquet tickets for either Friday or Saturday evening. Remember, the deadline is Arpil 30th.
ESSAY OR ARTICLE CONTEST
(Deadline May 30th, 2012)
Write a personal essay, or a non-fiction article of no more than 3,000 words. This can be an essay typical of publication such as Chicken Soup for the Soul, or it can be a more memoir type essay. The article should be written in a style that would be suitable for publication is a magazine or periodical such as Ozark Mountaineer, or a lit journal such as Big Muddy. Just make sure it is your best work. There is a $5 entry fee for this essay or article unless you were an attendee at the OCW 2011 conference. If you did not attend last year's conference you can do so early and this contest is free. All others send your $5 entry fee check made out to OCW and two copies of your contest entry to:
Lou Turner
2731 Cumberland Landing
St. Charles, MO 63303
If you have questions you may email Lou at LouTurn@aol.com
Prize for the winner of this contest will be two banquet tickets for the banquet of your choice, either Friday Evening's Entertainment Banquet, or Saturday Evenings Awards Banquet. This prize does not include conference fees. Remember, the deadline is May 30th.
NOVEL OR NONFICTION BOOK CONTEST
(Deadline June 30th, 2012)
Send us the first three chapters and a five page synopsis of your fiction novel, any genre, or your non-fiction book. Just make sure it is your best work. There is a $5 entry fee for this essay or article unless you were an attendee at the OCW 2011 conference. If you did not attend last year's conference you can do so early and this contest is free. All others send your $5 entry fee check made out to OCW and two copies of your contest entry to:
Lou Turner
2731 Cumberland Landing
St. Charles, MO 63303
If you have questions you may email Lou at LouTurn@aol.com
Prize for the winner of this contest is a two hour private lunch either Friday or Saturday with the editor or agent attending the conference. This will be your time to pitch your work, discuss your ideas, and generally have the ear of a New York editor or agent who can help you in your career. It's an opportunity that doesn't come around for a writer very often. Make sure to only send your very best work. This prize does not include conference fees or banquet tickets. Remember, the deadline is June 30th.
The general contest category list (click here) is available now. All entries will be due by August 31st along with your registration fee of $99.00. After that date the fee for attending the conference will go up to $125.00 and we will no longer accept contest entries. So register early – (Click here to register). This year we are also offering a student discount. If you are a full-time student either for High School or a College or University you may enter our contests and pay a $79 registration fee if you register before the August 31st deadline. If you are in an English class that reimburses you for expenses should you attend a writing event, we will provide you will a letter for your school.