Bienvenido N. Santos Short Story Writing Contest is extended!

ELIGIBILITY: The contest is open to all residents of the six Bicol provinces-Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon-who have attained the age of 16 and above. High school seniors, college students, and Bicol residents interested in writing are encouraged to participate. IMPORTANT: Since the goal of this contest is to encourage more literary writing by beginning writers, professional writers who are at least 3-time awardees in other literary contests are not eligible to participate. There is a limit of ONE ENTRY PER PERSON.

DEADLINE: November 30, 2020.

    HOW TO ENTER: The author’s name, address, telephone/cell phone number, email address and a 25-50 word biographical sketch must be included with his/her entry on a separate sheet of paper. The name of the author should not appear on the story itself. There is no entry fee. Entrants will be contracted by email to acknowledge receipt of their stories.

    CONTENTS: Entries written in English or Bicol must be unpublished original stories. Stories set in Bicol with themes related to life in Bicol will be preferred and given extra points.

    JUDGING: A Committee of Readers will complete the first round of judging and select at least 12-15 best stories in English out of the entries submitted. These selected stories will then be sent to a panel of judges who will select the First, Second, and Third prize winners. For the Bicol Short Story Division, a separate panel of judges will choose the best story and two honorable mentions.

    CASH PRIZES:

    A. Short Story in English Division                     B.Short Story in Bicol Division

      1st prize: P10, 000+ Medallion Best story     1st prize  P 10, 000 + Medallion

      2nd prize P5, 000+ Medallion                           2nd Honorable Mention-P   5, 000+ Medallion

      3rd prize P2, 000+ Medallion                           3rd Honorable Mention-P   2, 000 +Medallion

    To claim cash awards, winners must present a valid photo ID showing residency in Bicol, or enrollment in a Bicol high school, college, or university, and a sign a declaration that their story is original (not plagiarized).

    CONTEST AND JUDGING CRITERIA:

    All entries become the property of the Raul S. Roco  – Naga City Public Library and will not be returned.

    Each entry must be submitted by the contest deadline in its own envelope. Stories submitted by fax machine and E-Mail will not be accepted. Illegible entries will be disqualified.

    Stories must be written in English, or Bicol, and should be original and unpublished up to the time the winners are declared in December 2020.

    Stories must be written on a computer or a typewriter, on letter size (8 ½ x 11) paper, be double-spaced and no longer than 1,500-2,500 words.

    Total word count must be printed on the front page of the story.

    No changes to a story are allowed once it is received.

    Inquiries to follow up on entries will not be allowed.

    Pseudonyms or pen names are not permitted.

    By entering the Contest, entrants agree to allow Raul S. Roco Library to publish their stories, names, photos, and biographical information without compensation. Winners also consent to authorize the Contest Sponsor to publish the winning entries into a book.

    No photographs should be sent with entries. Winners will be contracted about a photograph at a later date and must agree to publication of his/her photograph.

    The Raul S. Roco – Naga City Public Library reserves the right to reject and disqualify any submissions that could be offensive or inappropriate or that do not meet the terms and conditions of these rules, such as providing false information, plagiarizing someone else’s work, or entering more than once.