Free contest, City Paper's Annual Short Story/ Poetry Contest, Maryland residents, top prize: $250

Deadline: 5 November 2010

Submit your work to the scrutiny of our crack judges, who will pick three writers in each contest to win cash prizes, and see your work in the Dec. 1 issue of City Paper. Even the most cutthroat competitors have rules though. Such as:

1. You must be a resident of Maryland to enter.
2. One entry per writer per contest. Seriously. Multiple entries in either contest will be disqualified. Yes, it is OK to enter a single entry in both FICTION and POETRY contests.
3. No, we do not still have your entry from last year.
4. Stories must not exceed 2,500 words; poems must not exceed 30 lines.
5. Entries must be submitted as hard copies (double-spaced) or e-mail attachments (MS Word or text) and accompanied by name, address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address (if you’ve got one). Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Entry attachments that cannot be opened will be disqualified.
6. No entries will be returned, so don’t send us your only copy.
7. Comments on your work will not be provided by the judges.
8. Last year’s winners are not eligible, nor are City Paper staff, freelancers, or their families.
9. Do not—repeat, do not call the CP offices about the contest. Any questions about the contest should be directed to the below entry e-mail addresses.
10. Confirmations of receipt will not be provided.
11. Prizes: Fiction—first, $250; second, $150; third, $50. Poetry—first, $100; second, $50; third, $25.

Send entries to:

Short Fiction Contest or Poetry Contest
812 Park Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201
Or e-mail to fiction@citypaper.com or poetry@citypaper.com

No phone calls or faxes, please. Deadline for submissions: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5.

All entries received by e-mail or post after 5 p.m. will be disqualified.

More information here.