Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Jump-Start Your Writing With Internet Contests

Practicing writing doesn't have to be boring, and the internet is rampant with writing opportunities. I've been getting into the habit of Googling "writing contests" every once in awhile, and I always find something that sparks my creativity. If you check out the Folgers Coffee contest (Great prize - a trip home!) be sure to take a peek at the Missoula band that won their 2010 Jingle Contest - they're great!

Folgers Coffee Home for the Holidays Essay Contest - Share your Holiday Story in a 200 word, or less, original essay answering the question, "What is the best part of wakin' up at home for the holidays with Folgers Coffee?"

Folgers will award five contest winners, plus up to three family members or friends, travel to and from their destination. Entries will be evaluated based upon their relevance to Folgers Coffee theme, creativity, and clarity of expression.

Entries are accepted from October 1, 2010 at Noon to November 30, 2010 at Noon. For more submission information: http://folgers.com/promotions-activities

The First Line Writing Prompts for 2011 - The purpose of quarterly magazine The First Line is to jump start the imagination - to help writers break through the block that is the blank page. Each issue contains short stories that stem from a common first line; it also provides a forum for discussing favorite first lines in literature. The First Line is an exercise in creativity for writers and a chance for readers to see how many different directions we can take when we start from the same place. There is no entry fee for submissions to this quarterly magazine.

Spring 2011: "Sam was a loyal employee." Submissions due February 1, 2011.
Summer 2011: "We need to talk." Submissions due May 1, 2011
Fall 2011: "Edwin spotted them the moment he stepped off the train." Submissions due August 1, 2011.
Winter 2011: "It had been a long year." Submissions due November 1, 2011
For more information: http://www.thefirstline.com/

Affordable Insurance Essay Contest - The Affordable Insurance Company is sponsoring an essay contest (200-350 words) open to anyone who has a true story to tell about how any type of insurance policy made a big impact on their lives and financial well being. Judging criteria: Importance of insurance coverage: 50%, Creativity: 30%, and Grammar: 20%. There will be cash awards. Deadline for online submissions: Monday, December 13 at Noon. For submission information: www.affordableinsuranceoptionsonline.com/essay-contest.

1 comment:

Norm de Ploom said...

Thanks, Mary Jane. I entered two contests with 4 entries. Hope I hog all the awards. Unlikely, more likely to not win anything. But they were congests I had not know about so many kudos to you for posting them.