20th ANNUAL CALLIOPE FICTION CONTEST
Theme: “Fair and Square”
Deadline: February 15, 2014
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Used in a phrase, both words mean the same; but what if you separate them?  Use the phraseor the word(s) “fair” or “square” in your story. But don’t lose sight of what makes a story come alive: sharp characterizations, vivid imagery and artistic use of language. Winners will not be separated into categories, but entries will be compared to others within their respective genres for judging purposes.  Neatness and manuscript presentation count.
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Word Count

Up to 3,000 words.
 
Form
All types of fiction (including genre) accepted: this includes general audience/mainstream; magical realism; science fiction, fantasy, light horror, mystery, romance, or cross-genres thereof; young adult and juvenile. NO picture books.  NO explicit sexual content, excessive profanity, gory violence and/or extreme horror, please.
 
Entry forms/fees
No entry form required.  Entry fees: Calliope member/subscribers—$5 first entry; $2 second; next 3 entries:Free.  ( Write “Member” on upper right corner of title sheet.)  Non-members: $10 first entry; $5 for each additional story. Maximum: five stories per entrant. Membership special: $16, includes a one-year subscription to Calliope (4 issues) and one free entry. 
      Make checks or money orders (in U.S. Funds only) payable to: Writers’ SIG.  (We will also accept fees in mint, U.S.stamps in lieu of checks or money orders.)  To make payment via PayPal , go to www.paypal.com, click on “send money,” and put in Cynthia@theriver.com when it asks “which vendor.”
 
How to Submit/Format
Entries accepted from September 15, 2013 to February 15, 2014, and must come by regularmail. No other method will be accepted.  Use standard manuscript format: 1” margins; double-space for stories more than 500 words.  Name, address, phone number, e-mail address, word count , and title of story should be on a separate cover sheet, stapled to the manuscript in upper left corner. Print only title and page numbers on manuscript.  State “End” below last sentence of story.
      Work must be original—no reprints. Winners must retain sufficient rights for publication in the BIG Summer 2014 issue of Calliope, or their entries will be disqualified.
 
Prizes
Although final determination depends upon the total amount of entry fees received, a minimum $50-1st Place, $25-2nd Place, and $15-3rd Place is the goal. Also, an anonymous benefactor has pledged to donate an additional $100 to the cash awards, if more than 20 entries are received.    
      Gift subscriptions to Calliope will be at the editor’s discretion.  All winners and honorable mentions will receive certificates suitable for framing. Other prizes depend on donations received.
      Receipt of entry will be acknowledged if email address or a self-addressed postcard is included; manuscripts will not be returned.
      Allstories submitted will be considered for future publication.
      n Include a SASE for the winner’s list, and receive a free mini-critique of your entry.
 
Notification
Winners will be notified by mail or email; state preference on cover sheet.  Formal announcement will appear in both print and electronic versions of the Summer 2014 issue, together with the First through Third Place winning stories.  Other winning stories will be published in appropriate subsequent issues. We use one-time rights only.
 
About The Judging
Winners will be selected by The Fiction Editor, with comments, opinions and concurrence solicited from other Calliopeeditors, and/or others the Fiction Editor deems appropriate.  The decision of the judge will be final; every attempt will be made to render a fair and unbiased decision.
 
Mail entries and fees to:
Calliope Fiction Contest
5975 W. Western Way, PMB 116Y
Tucson, AZ 85713
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For membership information and a sampling of stories visit our web site:
www.CalliopeWriters.org  Calliope is a publication of The Writers' SIG of American Mensa, Ltd.