Willow Springs 2011 Fiction Prize

You've got until the first day of March, 2011 to cobble together a winning fiction entry for the Willow Springs Fiction Prize (not to be confused with the Spokane Prize for Short Fiction), which will net you $2000 in addition to publication in Willow Springs.

A quick rundown of the submission guidelines:

• There's a $15 entry fee, which rises to $20 for international submissions. No entry fee, no eligibility.
• Only one story allowed per submission.
• Check or money order only, payable to Willow Springs. Hard cash is only acceptable for the bribe portion of the contest, as it's less traceable.
• Typed submissions only, even if it's on an ancient Olivetti with a missing S. If you send in a handwritten MS, your entry fee will be kept as punishment for your failure to follow directions.
• There is no word limit. This means you can finally submit your epic 900,000-word, six-volume fantasy novel.
• No online submissions. Hard copy only. One has to throw the USPS a bone every now and again.
• Give your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, as well as a short bio in a cover letter included with your submission. I suppose you could always embellish your bio and make that your fiction entry.
• When it comes to the MS itself, keep your identity hidden. Pretend you're a literary superhero.
• Submit only original, unpublished work. That's tough if you only have one story in you, but them's the breaks.
• Do not send an SASE. For confirmation that your work has been received, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard instead. Preferably one from an exotic location.
• Manuscripts will not be returned, so send a copy, not the sole original.
• Entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2011.

For a more straightforward rendering of these rules, head to the contest page (linked above).

Entries should be sent to:

The Willow Springs Fiction Prize
Willow Springs
501 N Riverpoint Blvd, Ste 425
Spokane, WA 99202

The good news is that, even if you don't win, your entry fee will go to a one-year subscription to Willow Springs, to include the issue that contains the winning entry. And the best news of all is that, if you win, word of your achievement will gradually filter its way down to the Spokane Books Blog, which will post a belated announcement of it that will link back to Willow Springs' original announcement. There's no surer sign that you've arrived.