WALDPORT — Young scribes in Lincoln County can show their skills and compete for cash prizes in the annual Waldport Public Library’s Young Writers’ Competition.
The theme is fiction adventure, and the premise is “The search is on for the last library.”
The competition is open for entrants in two categories: beginner to intermediate (with no entries from those of high school age) and advanced middle through high school writers. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, April 8,
Sponsored by The Friends of the Waldport Public Library, the competition offers several cash prizes: $200 for the grand prize and $100 for the winners and $75 for second place in each of the two categories. A $50 honorable mention will be awarded to an entry from either category. Every participant will receive recognition and a prize, according to Sharon McCrum, family outreach coordinator for the library.
“This competition has been conducted for over 10 years,” said McCrum. “ The purpose is to encourage kids in their writing skills. We want them to have the joy of writing for writing’s sake — not just as an assignment.”
McCrum said each year the competition gives a different “prompt” or premise for the writing. This year, the full prompt is, “The year is 2032, and the search is on! Every library but one has disappeared … How will you find it?”
The assignment was created to respond to people who contend that in the digital age, libraries aren’t essential.
Eligible students must live in Lincoln County, and may be public, home school, private, online or General Education Development students. Entries need to be between 800 to 1,500 words, and may be submitted on paper or digitally.
Full details are on the application, which is available at the library, 460 N.W. Hemlock, or on the library website.
A signed application must be submitted with essays, and entries from those under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian. Completed essays, which must be typewritten, may be dropped off at the library, or through email at waldportlibrary@waldportlibrary.org.
Entries will be judged by an anonymous panel “as objectively as possible,” said McCrum. “We encourage young writers to utilize teachers, parents/guardians and mentors to look over their work for editing before turning in the final typed entry.”
Winners will be announced April 22.
