This weekend's soccer tournament in Kansas was a scorcher, and I have the sunburn to prove it. And it's still sweltering here in Eastern Missouri. This morning I watered my garden and filled up containers for the birds to take a drink and cool down, but the water evaporated almost as soon as it left the hose.
To stay out of the heat over the next few days I've decided to work on some contest entries. Talk about timing! Last week I received a brochure from Green River Writers announcing their annual writing competitions.
According to information on their home page, "Green River Writers is a non-profit organization founded in Kentucky in 1984 to support writers through education, promotion, and fellowship." GRW is a fine writing organization I've supported in the past by entering their contests.
I'm first to admit I'm not a poet, but there's something about writing limericks that calls my name. I've won a few times in Category #9, The Jim O'Dell Memorial Poetry Limerick Contest. Maybe it's my Irish roots stirring from ancestors who came to America during the Irish Famine. Or maybe it's because the type of limericks the contest wants --- wild and absurd ---are so much fun to write!
Here's what I like about the Green River Writers Writing Contest:
* A total of 15 categories
* Modest entry fees (ranging from $2 to $5)
* Two Fiction contests
* One Limerick contest
* Categories are sponsored by individual writers and writing groups
* It's gratifying to support other writing organizations by entering their contests
* It's fun to win!
* Grand Prize Categories pay $175/100/50
What I don't like about this contest:
* 13 of the 15 categories are poetry (Too bad I'm not a poet)
* In past years, it has taken months to receive checks and certificates after the winners' names were announced. Maybe they've worked that out this year.
* Except for the Grand Prize categories, the prize amounts are modest (ranging from $50 on the high end to $10). But it's not about the money . . . right?
So, I am going to come up with a few entries, and maybe even stretch my writing muscles and try my hand at poetry other than a limerick. Who knows, with my Irish roots, I might get lucky?
Submission deadline is Sep 30, 2011
Winners announced by Nov 30, 2011
Click here for a downloadable PDF flyer.
Good luck if you enter, and let me know if you win!
Writing advice, publication opportunities, and thoughts on books, language, and life from Donna Volkenannt, winner of the Erma Bombeck Humor Award. Donna believes great stories begin in a writer's imagination and touch a reader's heart.
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Thanks Donna. I'm not a poet either and if I find the time to play around with it, maybe I'll give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI used to write a lot of poetry in school, mainly because it was quick but the rhyming of words draws me too. I haven't written any serious lines lately, maybe I'll rethink that. Have a great (cool?) week.
ReplyDeleteHey Donna, maybe I could write a limerick, too! Did you read my recent poem on my blog about salads?!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteWith the entry fees being so inexpensive, it's worth a shot.
Hi Sally,
You should give it a whirl. Oh, it's so hot here, but I hear it's even hotter in Texas.
Hi Becky,
You should write a limerick; maybe you could write one about salads.
donna
thanks for letting us know. I don't consider myself a poet either, but I try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nudge here. I haven't written anything for a long dry spell. I don't know where my life is wandering off to! It is 109 here at 4:30 so maybe we won't make the projected 111 today! Even staying inside and now sweating outside, I am a slug these days!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I've been out of writing due to moving to a new apartment and transitioning...so this just might give me the push to get back into it. =)
ReplyDeleteDonna--My limericks are always better after I've been drinking. Or perhaps I just THINK they're better after a glass of wine?
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeleteThat's the spirit!
Hi Claudia,
I know what you mean about the heat. I actually got into my sister's pool today.
Hi MaDonna,
Go for it!
Hi Sioux,
I hear ya. If wine doesn't work, try some Jameson's, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew or Guiness--not necessarily in that order or at the same time.
Donna
Donna
Best wishes to all of you great blogging buddies--My fingers are crossed that each of you will win a cash prize and can get together to celebrate and let the good times roll!
ReplyDeleteYou have it in you Donna, go for it. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteHi Clara,
ReplyDeleteThanks! That would be fun!
Hi Linda,
You are welcome. Glad to read about your vacation. Sounds like you had a great time!
Donna
I have Irish roots, too, but unfortunately didn't inherit the limerick gene, which never ceases to delight and impress me. Good luck and thanks for posting this! Like your new background!
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I like to change backgrounds every once in awhile.
You should try writing a limerick. I'm already working on one to send.
donna