Submit an Entry

Before submitting an entry using the form below, please review the following list of General and Category-specific requirements. Submissions that do not meet these requirements may not be considered for awards by the reading panels.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All entries must be original student work not previously published, with the exception of works that have appeared in the Blue Mirror, NCSSM’s art and literature journal. For the definition of "original student work" see the FAQs page.

• All entries must be written in English and employ standard usage of grammar and spelling, unless the writer is intentionally including some non-standard usage as an essential part of the work itself.

• All entries must be predominantly textual and typed. Graphics may be included.

• All entries must be submitted as a pdf file linked from a Google Drive - share only the link to the pdf file and ensure it is accessible for non-NCSSM emails to view. The pdf file must follow this naming convention: Mobile Number-Category-Title. Please do not include characters in your mobile number, and it must match the mobile number on the below form. Example: 8043898213-Poetry-The Raven.

• All files must repeat the file name, per the naming convention, in the header of each page.

• All files must include page numbers in the footer of each page.

• Works may be submitted for consideration in all three categories, but only one prize per student will be awarded across all categories. No single work may be submitted to more than one category.

ADDITIONAL POETRY REQUIREMENTS:

• • Only two submissions per student are allowed in this category.

  • Any single poem has a limit of 50 lines.

  • Poetry may be single spaced and unconventionally formatted for poetic purposes. 

ADDITIONAL NONFICTION REQUIREMENTS:

• Only one non-fiction submission per student is allowed.

• Each piece, whether an academic essay,  personal memoir or other form of non-fiction expression, should have a clear and developed theme, argument or topic.  References to the work of others should be properly cited.

• Each piece must have a minimum of 1,000 words and maximum of 3,000 words, including quotes.  There are no word limits for footnotes, appendices or works cited; however, please be as succinct as possible.

• Each piece must be double-spaced in a 12-point font with 1-inch margins.

ADDITIONAL  SHORT FICTION REQUIREMENTS:

• Only two submissions per student are allowed in this category.

• Short fiction entries should be invented prose narratives, not prose poems or essays. However, this category may include short plays.

• Short fiction entries must have a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 3,000 words. 

• Short fiction must be double-spaced in a 12-point font with 1-inch margins