Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is excited to announce the call for submissions for All Pikes Peak Writes! All Pikes Peak Writes is PPLD’s annual fiction writing contest for ages 12 and older+ and seeks to highlight writers in our community through one competition. There are three categories, based on age group: Ages 12 - 18, Ages 19 - 24, and Ages 25 and up. Please see the guidelines, rules for entry, and submission form for each category below.
Submissions will be accepted from June 3 through 9 p.m. on July 26, 2024.
Eligibility:
All Pikes Peak Writes is open to El Paso County residents ages 12 and older.
Judging:
Entries will be judged on following category guidelines, quality of writing, use of language, plot development and resolution, believable characters, and correct punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
Awards:
Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place entries in each category. Winners will be announced in late August.
Please contact hbuljung@ppld.org or malvarez@ppld.org for questions or more information.
FAQs:
- When will I know if I have won?
- We will notify participants in late August if they have won an award.
- Are you publishing the digital anthology again?
- Yes! We will be publishing the top three stories in all categories (ages 12 - 18, ages 19 - 24, and ages 25 and up).
- Will I get feedback for my work?
- Yes! You will receive a copy of the judges’ comments after the competition has concluded.
- Do I have to submit my story online?
- Yes. To better facilitate the process, we are requiring all stories be submitted digitally. You can stop by any PPLD location to use one of our computers to submit your story ahead of the deadline.
Ages 12 - 18
The Challenge: Write a story, up to 2,500 words, starting with the opening line: “And... go!”
Guidelines:
- Ages 12 - 18 only.
- Must be a resident of El Paso County, Colorado.
- Word count must not exceed 2,500 words, not including title. Word count will be established using Microsoft Word. Points will be automatically deducted from the total score of the piece if the word count exceeds 2,500 words.
- Stories must be original, previously unpublished works.
- Stories must include a title page with the title and author’s name. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the document.
- Stories must be typed. Formatting should be double-spaced and in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font with the title and page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
- Only one entry per person.
- Participants must fill out the form and submit their story below by July 26, 2024 at 9 p.m. The file format should be PDF, .doc, or.docx. If you need help converting a file to one of these formats, please visit a Library location for assistance ahead of the deadline.
- Failure to follow the guidelines will result in disqualification.
Submit Your Story Here
Ages 19 - 24
The Challenge:
Write a story, up to 3,500 words, starting with the opening line: “And... go!”
Guidelines:
- Ages 19 - 24 only
- Must be a resident of El Paso County, Colorado.
- Word count must not exceed 3,500 words, not including title. Word count will be established using Microsoft Word. Points will be automatically deducted from the total score of the piece if the word count exceeds 3,500 words.
- Stories must be original, previously unpublished works.
- Stories must include a title page with title and author’s name. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the document.
- Stories must be typed. Formatting should be double-spaced and in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font with the title and page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
- Only one entry per person.
- Participants must fill out the form and submit their story below by July 26, 2024 at 9 p.m. The file format should be PDF, .doc, or.docx. If you need help converting a file, please visit a Library location for assistance ahead of the deadline.
- Failure to follow the guidelines will result in disqualification.
Submit Your Story Here
Ages 25 and Up
The Challenge:
Write an original fiction story of up to 3,500 words. Entries in this category do not need to use the assigned opening line from the other categories.
Guidelines for entry:
- Ages 25 and older.
- Must be a resident of El Paso County, Colorado .
- Word count must not exceed 3,500 words. Word count will be established using Microsoft Word. Points will automatically be deducted from the total score of the piece if the word count exceeds 3,500 words.
- Stories must be original, previously unpublished works.
- Stories must include a title page with title and author’s name. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the document.
- Stories must be typed. Formatting should be double-spaced and in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font with the title and page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
- Only one entry per person.
- Participants must fill out the form and submit their story by July 26, 2024 at 9 p.m. The file format should be PDF, .doc, or .docx. If you need help converting a file, please visit a Library location for assistance ahead of the deadline.
- Failure to follow the guidelines will result in disqualification.
Submit Your Story Here
