UA Wayne College Seeking Writing Competition Entries

The University of Akron Wayne College is currently accepting submissions for its annual writing competition. The competition, which was initiated in 2000, has three categories of awards and culminates with the Writers Workshop and Awards in the spring.

The Student Writing Awards competition, for area high school students and Wayne College students, invites submissions in three genres: short story, poetry and personal essay. In each category there will be cash prizes of $100 for first, $75 for second and $50 for third place. There are often also honorable mention certificates given to worthy submissions. In addition, all prizes and honorable mention winners will receive free registration to the eleventh annual Wayne College Writers Workshop scheduled for Saturday, April 5. Information and entry forms for the Student Awards have been sent to all area high schools.

The Regional Writing Awards are for writers eighteen years and older. Entries in short story, poetry and nonfiction will be accepted with the same cash prizes as the student awards. There is a $10 entry fee per category for regional submissions. Regional Awards prize recipients and honorable mention winners will also receive free registration to the spring workshop.

The Writer of the Year Award was launched in 2007 to encourage and recognize the accomplishments of writers in the region. This award is meant for an individual from Wayne, Holmes or Medina counties who has demonstrated excellence as a writer over the years or has had a single notable writing success. Individuals are invited to nominate writers for this prestigious prize or they can nominate themselves. The prize includes a $500 cash award and a commemorative plaque. Previous winners of the Wayne College Writer of the Year Award are: David Kline, Joanne Lehman, Bob Adamov, Paul Gaus, Mary Ellis and Raymond Buckland.

The deadline for submissions is December 6 and judging for the awards will take place in February. Winners will be notified in March, with the exception of the Writer of the Year award, which will be announced at the Writers Awards ceremony on April 5.

Entry forms for the competition and nominations forms for the Writer of the Year are available at: www.wayne.uakron.edu/learning-center/writing-center.dot.