http://tiny-lights.com/contest.php?year=2002&id=5
Just for CNF Writers
The audience of Tiny Lights is varied. Its niche is drama. A story with a real conflict. It is not well suited for writers who are afraid to write about serious subjects. Don’t worry about being politically correct – cursing is welcome with winners. The magazine’s description of essays is very accurate; “Tiny Lights invites entries that feature a distinctive voice, discernible conflict and an eventual shift in the narrator's perspective. We are looking for writers who weave the struggle to understand into the fabric of their essays.”
Tiny Lights’ Essays are about real conflicts with an edge of humor. They are serious and compelling. A woman who has migraines who talks about what she misses in life, and triggers she won’t give up. An essay that starts about raising four boys that is really about losing one. Each essay has a twist or a revelation. There are no patterns in form on the site. It seems to be all about letting your wounds bleed then trying to slather some Neosporin on crudely sewn stitches. The essays are very narrative – like the title of the site. They also are “I” focused.
18th Annual Contest Deadline: February 17, 2012
This year, we offer 5 prizes in the "Standard" category and 3 "Flashpoint" prizes.
We can only consider unpublished work, or previously published material for which the author holds rights. Rights revert to author after publication in the hard copy edition of Tiny Lights.
• Each essay must be accompanied by an entry fee: $15 for first essay, $10 each additional essay. Make checks payable to:
Tiny Lights Publications. Mail to: P.O. Box 928, Petaluma, CA 94953.
• SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) recommended for feedback/contest notification. One envelope for multiple submissions OK.
• Essays may be submitted in one of two categories:
• STANDARD (no longer than 2,000 words) or
• FLASHPOINT (no more than 1,000 words)
• Please indicate preferred category on ms.
• Entries should be typed and double-spaced.
• Cover letters are optional, but ideally the title page of the manuscript should include author's name, complete address, e-mail, phone number, and essay word count. Essay title and page number in header or footer OK. Author name should not appear there.
• Personal essay requires writers to communicate the truth of their experiences to the best of their abilities. While no theme restrictions apply to this contest, we will not consider essays that celebrate brutality or gratuitous violence. Tiny Lights does not accept poetry, short stories, or material written for children. Entry fees for inappropriate submissions may not be returned.
• Entries must be postmarked by February 17, 2012.
• Prizes will be awarded as follows:
◦ First Place: $350
◦ Second Place: $250
◦ Third Place: $150
◦ Two Honorable Mention Prizes: $100 each.
• Three FLASHPOINT prizes of $100 are also offered. Awards will be determined by a panel of judges. Final authority rests with the Editor-in-Chief, Susan Bono.
• Winners will be posted at www.tiny-lights.com by April 11th, 2012
• Winning essays are subject to editing before publication. Final copy must be approved by writer. No essays will be published in hard copy or online publications without author's permission.
• All contestants will receive a hard copy of Tiny Lights' contest publication featuring the winning entries.
