Call For Entries: Bethesda Essay and Short Story Contest

Calling all writers! The Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine are looking for entries for an essay and short story contest as a part of the 14th Annual Bethesda Literary Festival.

Each year, the festival draws novelists, journalists, poets and children’s authors to downtown Bethesda.

Check out a video attached to this story of NPR's Michele Norris speaking about her book "The Grace of Silence" at the 2011 festival. This year's event featured writers Thomas Friedman, Marvin and Deborah Kalb, Joby Warrick and Walter Isaacson.

Adults and high school students can submit a 500-word essay, and/or a 4,000-word short story on any topic. Winners in each category will be honored with cash prizes, and first-place winners will also see their work published in Bethesda Magazine.

High school winners will receive $50 for third place; $100 for second place and $250 for first place; adult winners will receive $75 for honorable mentions, $150 for third place, $250 for second place and $500 for first place.

All winners will see their work published on the Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine websites and will be honored during the festival.

Judges for the essay portion of the contest include public radio commentator, writer and American University MFA program professor Rachel Louise Snyder and Bethesda Magazine associate editor Julie Rasicot.

The deadline to enter is Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.  For entry requirements and eligibility, call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.