Past Loves Day Story Contest 2012

Genre: True story

Restrictions: Must be a true story about a past love, with a maximum of 700 words. No restriction on tone. Entries may be submitted by e-mail or regular mail.

Deadline: September 17, 2012

Prizes: First prize is $100. Second prize is $75. Third prize is $50.

Entry fee: None

Additional information: Past Loves Day Story Contest. Includes links to previous winners.

2012 Science Fiction Poetry Association Poetry Contest

Genre: Speculative poetry

Restrictions: Limited to 1 previously unpublished poem per category. E-mail submissions only, with poems in the body of the message or in an attached .rtf file. Entrants who are not members of SFPA should indicate this fact, which makes them eligible for an additional prize.

Deadline: September 15, 2012

Prizes: The poem's length determines its category. A special prize for the best poem by a non-SFPA-member poet will also be awarded. 1st prize in each category will be $50 cash, a one-year SPFA membership, and publications donated by membership. Runners-up will have their choice of one publication donated by SFPA members. Winners and runners-up will be published on both SPFA and Poetry Planet.

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Science Fiction Poetry Association

Writing Contest for Dog Lovers

Genre: Non-fiction

Restrictions: For dog rescuers 18 and older. Write a compelling story about your dog's rescue in 500-1000 words. A photo of your dog is encouraged but not required. One entry per family. Must include word count and author's name, address, e-mail address, and phone number. All submissions must be submitted via e-mail in a .doc or .rtf format.

Deadline: September 1, 2012

Prizes: A $50 donation will be made to the animal shelter of the winner's choice. Everyone selected for publication in Mighty Tales of Rescue will receive a digital copy of the anthology. In addition, the winner will also receive a digital copy of Beating Cancer, an anthology of cancer survivor stories.

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Writing Contest for Dog Lovers

Texas Book Festival's 11th Annual Fiction Writing Contest

Genre: Fiction

Restrictions: This contest is limited to students in grades 7-12 in Texas. The story must use the theme "Out of the Blue" and have a maximum of 2000 words. Entries must be double-spaced, formatted as a Microsoft Word document, and submitted online.

Deadline: July 27, 2012

Prizes: Stories will be entered in one of three divisions: Grades 7-8; Grades 9-10; or Grades 11-12. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each division. First-place winners will have the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion on writing and the inspiration for their stories at the Texas Book Festival, to be held October 27-28 at the Capitol Building in Austin. There is no information about any prize money that may be awarded.

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Texas Book Festival's 11th Annual Fiction Writing Contest

Summer Solstice Contest

Genre: Slipstream fiction

Restrictions: Maximum 2500 words. Limited to 1 entry per person. All entrants must be members of Scribophile and allow their work to be visible to the public. Winners will be paid via Paypal and therefore must have a Paypal account.

Deadline: June 30, 2012

Prizes: 1st Prize is $50; 2nd Prize is $25.

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Scribophile's Summer Solstice Contest

JuNoWriMo and BuNoWriMo

Every year, many writers participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which is held in November. Others would participate if it were scheduled for a different month. If setting aside the month of November to write a novel isn't feasible for you, consider JuNoWriMo.

JuNoWriMo stands for June Novel Writing Month. For many people, June works better than November.

Participants in JuNoWriMo don't have to write a novel; other works are acceptable. The goal is to write 50,000 words in June.

Remember that this is your first draft, which means you shouldn't expect to perfect your manuscript during the challenge. The idea is to get it all down on paper--or computer--so that you actually have something to work with when you're ready to start revising.

BuNoWriMo (Burrow Novel Writing Month) is another option. Also held in June, BuNoWriMo has the same goal of 50,000 words. Participants are required to join the BuNoWriMo group at Facebook.

Many people find that June works out better for them than November. If setting aside November to write a novel is inconvenient or even impossible for you, just remember that there are at least two other options. Of course, it's also possible to write on your own schedule, but joining other writers who make a firm commitment to achieve their goals is a great incentive.

Halloween Articles

I recently wrote several Halloween articles. I kept getting sidetracked while doing the research, because I was finding a lot of fun activities and information.

Music-Themed Retro Halloween Costumes for Couples was fun to research. I started out wanting to write about couples costumes with a music theme and then ended up making them all retro.

8 Halloween Supersites is about the sites that go beyond the norm to provide what you need to make Halloween special.

Fun Online Halloween Activities will help get you in the Halloween spirit with games, puzzles, and more.

If you're throwing a Halloween party, check Halloween Parties: 13 Websites to Help Set the Tone.

Before you start decorating, consider reading Halloween Decorations: 13 Great Websites to Help You Decorate for some terrific ideas.

Ever wondered which actors have played Dracula on TV? 13 TV Draculas will answer your question.

Hollywood Vampires and Werewolves: Actors Who Have Played Both is an older article but still relevant at this time of year.

Tapestry of Bronze Ode to Olympians

Genre: Ode

Restrictions: Must be about Artemis/Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt. Ode must be no longer than 30 lines, submitted by e-mail. Entrants should include their real name as well as a pen name if applicable. Adults must indicate that they're adults; minors need to include their birth month and year. Anyone under 13 must also have permission from a parent or guardian. Only one entry per person.

Deadline: November 30, 2011

Prizes: $50 to the winner in each age group

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Tapestry of Bronze Ode to Olympians