Dear Reader,
You don’t have to be a writer to enter this year’s 17th Annual Write a DearReader Contest, it’s all about writing for fun. And you don’t even have to write your entry solo. Feel free to ask your spouse or a friend to collaborate on the entry.
When you submit your entry, be sure to include the name of your local library. If your entry is chosen as a First Place ($200), Second Place ($100), or Third Place ($50) winner, I will donate a 50% matching gift to your local library.
So get busy writing. Write about the day you wore your t-shirt inside out until
some kind soul pointed it out to you. Tell us about the stray cat or dog you found
curled up on your front porch, and how it was love at first sight. Write about your
favorite aunt, a bizarre and whimsical woman who vacuums her living room in the
buff. Describe the overwhelming love in your heart when you held your first
grandchild, or how lost and alone you felt when your father passed away.
Does the thought of writing something that people will read give you the willies?
Perfect. There’s your topic—write about your fear of writing. But start writing
about something...because it’s time to enter the 17th annual Write a
DearReader Contest. To review the guidelines and to read last year’s winning
entries, click on the tabs on the right-hand side of this page.
Thanks for reading with me. It’s so good to read with friends.
Start writing,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
- Deadline, Monday, October 4th
- Maximum word count is 650 words. (Please be sure to count your words.)
- Please submit original entries that have not been previously published.
- Feel free to submit more than one entry for us to consider.
- You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
- Your story will be judged on style and content.
- Collaborative teams are limited to two people.
- You must include the name and mailing address of your local library with your original entry in order for them to be eligible to receive the 50% matching, cash prize.
- Email your DearReader entry to: contest@DearReader.com.
Please put the words "DearReader Contest" in the subject line. Include your full name, mailing address and telephone number. If you are part of a collaborative entry, you must list each entrants’ full name, email address and telephone number on the original entry. If your team is a winner, we will send only one check to the first name listed on the entry.
Your entry should be in the "body" of your email message and not in an attachment. We cannot open attachments.
We will send you an email reply acknowledging receipt of your entry. If you have not received email notification within 24 hours, please email
Suzanne@DearReader.com and let us know.
(If you were a winner in either of the last two years, you are not eligible to be considered this year, but you can enter for fun.)
Be sure to include the name of your local library when you submit your entry. If your entry is chosen as one of the three cash prize winners, I will donate a 50% matching gift to your library.
If your entry is part of a collaborative effort, I will send only one check to the first name listed on the entry.
In addition to a cash prize, the winning columns will be published in the daily book clubs at DearReader.com and Penguin Random House First Look Book Club.
Last year's Write a DearReader Contest winners.
