FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prizes available in Writing Contest

Library System sponsors Writing Contest for National Library Week

Aspiring writers are invited to enter the Newport News Public Library System’s new Create Your Own Story Writing Contest in April.

Aspiring writers are invited to enter the Newport News Public Library System’s new Create Your Own Story Writing Contest in April.

As part of the Library System’s celebration of National Library Week, April 10-16, winning children, teen and adult authors at each Library location will receive prizes and have their stories and poems printed in a winning entries booklet and the Library System’s emailed newsletter.

Entries may be submitted in one of three age categories: children 8 to 11 years old, teens 12 to 15 years old, and adults ages 16 and older.

Entries may be one poem and/or one story of 250 words or less on any topic. Entries should be submitted between 1 p.m., Sunday, April 10, and 6 p.m., on Saturday, April 16. Entries may be submitted to the circulation desk or the children’s desk of any Newport News Public Library, including the Bookmobile and Public Law Library, or they may be emailed to nnlibpr@nngov.com during the same time frame.

Contestants are encouraged to seek assistance in writing their story or poem from Newport News Public Library System staff members. See below for complete Contest rules.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

For more information about the Contest, please call the Library System Administration Office at 757-926-1350 or any Newport News Public Library.

Create Your Own Story Writing Contest Rules

• Authors may NOT be employed by the Newport News Public Library System.
• All entries must be unpublished manuscripts of the author’s own, original work.
• Authors may submit one story and/or one poem.
• Entries must be typed and double-spaced on 8.5-by-11-inch white paper. Entries for the children’s category may be handwritten or typed.
• Each entry must include the following:
o Author’s name, mailing address, telephone number and email address
o Author’s age or category: Children 8 to 11 years old, Teens 12 to 15 years old, and Adults ages 16 and older
o Name of the story or poem
o Name of the Newport News Public Library location where the entry is being submitted. Emailed entries must specify one Library location of the author’s choice.
• Entries must not exceed 250 words.
• By entering the Contest, authors affirm that the entry is their own, original work.
• By entering the Content, authors agree to have their entry printed in a booklet and the Library System’s emailed newsletter, if selected as a winner.
• Entries must be submitted between 1 p.m., Sunday, April 10, and 6 p.m., on Saturday, April 16. Stories may be submitted to the circulation desk or children’s desk of any Newport News Public Library, or they may be emailed to nnlibpr@nngov.com during the same time frame.
• Authors may pick up their entries at the Library branch after May 2. After 30 days, remaining entries will be shredded.
• Winners will be notified by email and/or telephone on or about April 19, and must respond within one week to claim their prize. If winners do not respond, alternate winners will be selected.
• Failure to follow the Writing Contest Rules will disqualify entries.

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