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Contests and Events

2008 SAN ANTONIO WRITERS GUILD ANNUAL CONTEST

The San Antonio Writers Guild annual contest is a multi-category contest which accepts fiction, non-fiction, and poetry entries. Word limit depends on the entry.

Click Here to view the 2008 contest rules. »

ANNUAL LOUISE STEWART WRITING CONTEST

The Louise Stewart Contest accepts an original essay, memoir, article, or poem on a specified topic that changes each year. Word limit is 1,000.

Click here for full details or click a category below:
Rules : Submission : Upcoming Topics

THE LAST ANNUAL "DARK MOMENT" WRITING CONTEST

Here are the Rules:

The purpose of this contest is to have fun and enjoy yourself. It is not serious. If you feel the urge to take it seriously, I suggest you lie down. The urge will pass.
There will only be one prize, the "Top Prize" which will be $10.00. In case of a tie, the "Top Prize" will be divided among the winners
The word limit is 250 (one double-spaced manuscript page).
The contest will begin with the September SAWG meeting.
The contest will be judged by the attendees at the October SAWG meeting.
In the spirit of "show, don't tell" your entry must show us, "A dark moment" for a character. You may not, however, use the term "It was a dark moment."
Prepare your manuscript with no name on it. After it is complete, write a pen name on it (no real names, please). Then prepare a second sheet of paper which has your own name and the pen you have selected on it.
At the October SAWG meeting, bring your manuscript and the sheet containing your real name and your pen name. Give both to the contest facilitator.
The contest facilitator will post the entries along with an attached blank sheet of paper. Anyone who attends the meeting can vote for their favorite by writing your REAL name on the blank sheet of paper. The one with the most votes wins.
The "Top" prize will be awarded that evening at the close of the business meeting so come early.
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SATURDAY WRITE-INS

Write-ins are held from 9 a.m. until noon at Bethany Congregational United Church of Christ, the guild's usual meeting place.

Remaining dates in 2008 are:

Sept. 13
Oct. 11
Nov. 8: This a BBQ write-in at MacArthur Park Pavilion #1.
» RSVP to sawg@sawritersguild.com as the proper amount of food must be purchased in advance.

Officially, registration and setup starts at 8 a.m., a short explanatory introduction and mingling starts at 8:30 a.m. and the three one-hour sessions start at 9 a.m. It's all over by noon.

There is a small fee: Members $10; Non-members $15
The Purpose of the fee is to cover expenses such as renting the building.

Become a member. Save money.
Download the SAWG Membership Form* »

Download the Fall Write-in Form* »
Download the November Barbeque Write-in Form* »

*PDF downloads require Adobe Reader. Click here for the FREE Download.

Here's what you do:

Bring an idea for a story or a story, memoir, or piece you're currently writing.

Bring your laptop computer, typewriter, or other electronic keyboard device. You might consider bringing an extension cord or power strip so you can reach the wall outlet. Pen/pencil/paper/notebooks are more than acceptable.

Start working at 9 a.m. and be quiet: writers at work!

Break at 9:50 a.m. to confer; consult; eat a snack; drink coffee, tea, or other beverage; visit the facility; or just get up and walk around.

Resume at 10 a.m. Repeat at 11 a.m.

Stop at noon and relax for a bit and review.

Sometimes we go for an extra hour of writing after noon just for the heck of it.

What you write can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children's or whatever you'd like. It can be something entirely new or something you've been writing for awhile.

Because the breaks are only 10 minutes there isn't going to be any opportunities for out loud reading and critiquing like the workshops on meeting nights. But you could switch chairs with another writer and read each other's work. Don't expect to get any extra writing done during the 10-minute breaks. It'll be loud.

What will the guild provide?

Two electrical power strips to protect your laptops. (There are several outlets in the meeting hall).

Snacks and coffee. Other members bring food items, so it's a buffet potluck of more or less breakfast items.

Two computers for those without. (Must be reserved ahead of time. Call 210-473-5192.)

Members who support.

Who should attend the write-in?

Everyone who says they don't have time or the chance to write. Come and prove you can do it.

Writers who have an idea, plan to start a new piece, want to finish an almost completed project. This could be the push you need.

Folks who'd like the chance to spend time among other folks who write. The inspiration feels good.

A little history

The write-ins started in March 2006 and are evolving as the gatherings continue. We started with seven or eight people and at the April 26 event we had 15.

Lately, people start arriving and 8 a.m. and setup begins. Writing starts as early as 8:30 a.m. At noon, most everyone is done with the writing. A few plug on for another hour and others visit for awhile.

At first, the guild provided a limited number of snacks, but lately, its grown into more of a potluck system. People bring anything from breakfast tacos to muffins to fruit to cookies.

Drinks are mostly on your own, except, don't worry, there is always coffee. There is some drink mixes in the guild cabinet, but as far as soft drinks are concerned, bring your own.

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NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH IS NOVEMBER

Write a novel in one month? Think you can do it? November is the month. If you are crazy enough, click here to jump to more information.
Visit the National Novel Writing Month site »

BULWER-LYTTON FICTION CONTEST

The "Dark and Stormy Night" competition is a whimsical literary competition that challenges entrants to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels. If you are silly enough, click here to jump to more information.
Visit the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest site »

WRITERS DIGEST WRITING COMPETITIONS

Writer's Digest sponsors several writing contests annually…too many to go into here, in fact.
Visit the Writers Digest contests page »

Disclaimer
The following are writing events and contests that have come to the attention of the San Antonio Writers Guild. The guild does not endorse any of these events and presents them for your consideration. Please email us with any corrections or comments.