Send your holiday stories to us

It's time to start thinking about Christmas and the winter holiday season.

Sharpen your pencils (or fire up your word-processing program) and write us a story to be entered in The Advertiser's annual Holiday Fiction Writing Contest.

We're looking for inspirational stories in two categories: fiction suitable for adults, and stories that can be read aloud by or to children. The stories should have a seasonal theme but need not be about Christmas.

The winners will receive a cash prize, and their stories will be published in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day newspapers and posted on our Web site. Entries will be accepted through Nov. 14.

Judges will include members of The Advertiser staff for the first cut and writers and editors in the community for the final decision.

The rules:

• Word limit: 1,500 words for adult fiction; 1,000 words for children's stories.
• he adult fiction need not have a holiday theme, but it should be inspiring or thought-provoking, in keeping with the seasonal spirit of looking for a deeper meaning and of good will. Children's stories must be suitable for reading aloud. Poetry also is acceptable.
• Include name, address, daytime phone number; be sure each page is labeled. Authors' names will be published in the newspaper; no pseudonyms, please.
• Story must be original and your own work.
• Entrants must be Hawai'i residents (including Hawai'i-based military). Advertiser employees may not enter.
• Winning entrants will be asked to sign a contract allowing publication of the story in print and online.
• Judges' decisions are final.
• Deadline: Postmarked or received by Nov. 14.

Mail stories to: Holiday Fiction, Island Life, Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax (808) 525-5500, or e-mail islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com.