Rules for our 2003 holiday fiction contest

Stories should have a seasonal theme but need not be about Christmas.

Winners will receive a cash prize, and their stories will be published in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day newspapers. They also will be placed on our Web site.

Judges are Advertiser staff members for the first cut and community writers and editors for the final decision.

The rules:

• Length: 1,500 words for adult fiction; 1,000 words for children's stories.
• Adult fiction need not have a holiday theme but should be inspiring or thought-provoking in keeping with seasonal tradition for looking for deeper meaning. Children's stories must be suitable for reading aloud. Poetry is acceptable.
• Include name, address, day phone number; label each page. No pseudonyms, please.
• Story must be original.
• Entrants must be Hawai'i residents (including Hawai'i-based military). No Advertiser employees.
• Winners will release rights for publication in print and online.
• Judges' decisions are final.
• Deadline: Postmarked or received by Nov. 14.
• Mail stories to: Holiday Fiction, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802, fax to (808) 525-8055, or e-mail to islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com.