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; but no picture books, obscure literary, graphic sex, gory violence and/or extreme horror, please.  

                      Entry Forms/Fees
No entry form required.  One free submission to member/subscribers of Calliope--$2 for each additional story.  Non-subscribers—$3 entry fee for first submission; $2 for each additional story.  A maximum of five stories per entrant. 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.)   

                How to Submit/Format
Entries accepted from January 1 to June 15, 2008, and must come by regular mail.  No other method will be accepted.  Use standard manu- script format: 1” margins all around, double-space for stories more than 500 words.  Name, address, phone number, e-mail address, title of story, and word count 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 Summer 2008 issue of Calliope, or their entries will be disqualified.

                                Prizes
Although final determination depends upon the total amount of entry fees received, a minimum $25-1^st Place, $15-2^nd Place, and $10-3^rd Place, is the goal.

      Gift subscriptions to Calliope will be at the editor’s discretion.  All winners and honorable mentions will receive certificates suitable for framing.  Other prizes will depend on donations received.
      Receipt of entry will be acknowledged if a self-addressed postcard is included; manuscripts will not be returned.  
      All stories submitted will be considered for future publication.

      ● 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 e-mail; state preference on cover sheet.  Formal announcement will appear in the Summer 2008 issue, in both print and electronic versions, 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 Calliope editors, 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:  

     Sandy Raschke, Fiction Editor
          Calliope Fiction Contest
           2506 SE Bitterbrush Dr.
           Madras, OR 97741-9452  

                       Questions?
           Contact Sandy via email:
             sreditor@clearwire.net

While the beginning is important to set up a story and propel its flow, the ending must fulfill the story’s promise.  Write a creative, forceful story that ends with a memorable and compelling last line.  Stories should be appropriate to the genre and audience you are targeting.  Make your story come alive with sharp characterization, 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 counts, along with proper manuscript format, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
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