Submit an Entry

Before submitting an entry using the form below, please review the following list of General and Category-specific requirements, paying special attention to those highlighted and in bold.  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 FAQ page.)

• All entries must be written in English.

• All entries must be submitted in a file format readable by Microsoft Word.

• All entries must be predominantly textual.  Graphics may be included but they must be compatible with Word format.

• Each work submitted must have a title at the top of the first page followed by the rest of the entry content .

• All documents must include page numbers at the bottom of each page.

• Names and other identifying information MUST be removed from all pages of the document file so the document includes only a title and the entry content.

• Standard usage of grammar and spelling is expected, unless the writer is intentionally including some non-standard usage as an essential part of the work itself.

• Only two entries per student may be submitted to the Poetry and Short Fiction Categories.  Only one entry per student may be submitted to the essay category.  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.

• Entries may be submitted any time after 12 noon EST December 1st, 2023 and must be received on this web site no later than 12 noon  EST, March 1st, 2024 to qualify. To ensure that your entry arrives on time, we encourage you to submit early.

• Late entries or entries not meeting the submission requirements will not be considered by the reading panels.

Category-specific requirements:

Poetry

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

  • Any single poem has a limit of 50 lines.

  • Poetry must be typed and include page numbers but may be single spaced and unconventionally formatted for poetic purposes.  

Nonfiction (previously Essays)

• Only one nonfiction submission per student is allowed.

• Each piece, whether an academic essay,  personal memoir or other form of nonfiction 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 1000 words and maximum of 3000 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 typed, double-spaced in a 12 point font with a 1 inch margin and m ust  include page numbers.

Short Fiction

• 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 2,500 words; the format of a drama may require it to exceed that length but should not exceed 3000 words. 

  • Short fiction must be typed, double-spaced in a 12-point font with 1-inch margins and must include page numbers.