Write us a holiday story

Advertiser Staff

Believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about Christmas and the winter holiday season.

That's because it's time to enter The Advertiser's annual Holiday Fiction Writing Contest.

Each year, we're honored with a strong batch of entries in this fiction contest, and we expect this year to be no exception. 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. They will also be placed on our Web site.

We're eager to see what characters we'll meet among the entries in our annual fiction contest. 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.
• The adult fiction need not have a holiday theme, but it should be inspiring or thought-provoking and in keeping with the seasonal spirit. Children's stories must be suitable for reading aloud. Poetry also is OK.
• 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 your own work.
• Entrants must be Hawai'i residents. Advertiser employees may not enter.
• Winning entrants will be asked to allow 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, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802, fax (808) 525-8055, or e-mail islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com.