Posted on: Saturday, October 4, 2003

Enter our holiday-season fiction contest

Advertiser Staff

It's time to write us a story to be entered in 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 November 14.

Judges will include the Advertiser staff for the first cut and local writers and editors 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, in keeping with the seasonal spirit of looking for a deeper meaning and of goodwill. 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 completely your own work.

• Entrants must be Hawai'i residents (Hawai'i-based military may enter).Advertiser employees are ineligible.

• Winning entrants will be asked to allow publication of the story in print and online.

• Judges' decisions are final.

• Deadline: Postmarked by Nov. 14.

Stories should be mailed to: Holiday Fiction, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802, faxed to (808) 525-8055, or e-mailed to islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com.