Each Christmas, Island Life's gift to its readers is the Holiday Fiction Contest — a pair of stories written by readers, one for adults, one suitable for reading aloud to children.

They are meant to provoke thought, engender hope, convey strength of the human spirit or give us all a good smile.

The stories will be published on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Island Life section, illustrated by our art department.

CONTEST RULES

Stories — fiction or fact-based — must be the author's own work. Length limit is 1,500 words.

Winners will be required to sign a fee-for-service contract attesting to the work's originality and granting The Honolulu Advertiser the right to publish the story in print and online.

Entries in verse are accepted. Illustrations are not. Judges' decision is final.

Employees of The Honolulu Advertiser may not enter.

Manuscripts or e-mails must include: name, address, daytime telephone, e-mail address. No pen names, please.

Label manuscripts or e-mails "adult" or "children's."

DEADLINE: Postmarked or e-mailed on or before Nov. 30.

Send stories to: Holiday Fiction, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or to islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com.