High School Students Called to Enter Short Story Contest

Organizers of the Third Annual Gaithersburg Book Festival announced that entries are now being accepted for this year's High School Short Story contest.

In three short years, The Gaithersburg Book Festival went from a local idea to a nationally recognized literary event that has authors and book lovers descending on Gaithersburg for one word-filled day in the spring. One of the main attractions for locals to the festival, which is scheduled next year on May 19, is the opportunity for young talent to shine by entering this contest.

Last year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival Short Story contest attracted 114 entries written by students from 10 counties from across the Washington metropolitan area. The winners of the 2011 contest were from Northwest High School, and .

The finalists' stories are read and judged by professional, published authors and the winner receives a prize of $100 and the opportunity to read their winning story aloud at the festival.

Entrants must be high school students (public, private or home schooled, grades 9-12, in the 2011-12 school year) who live in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia. Stories must be no longer than 1,000 words and start with one of three prompt lines, which were provided by Nero and Shamus award-winning mystery writer Brad Parks, author of Eyes of the Innocent and Faces of the Gone.

For complete contest rules, entry instructions and the prompt lines, visit the festival's website for rules and information.

Other activities at the festival every year include award-winning and best-selling author appearances, discussions and book signings; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; a Coffee House with poets and singers/songwriters and onsite book sales, both new and used.