VSG To Award Cash Prizes in Writing Contest

March 11, 2004 -- The Jacksonville State University Virgin Scribe's Guild will hold its second annual writing contest with more than $300 in cash and prizes to be awarded.

The Guild is chartered through the SGA; Dr. Mijitaba Hamissou of the biology department is adviser.

According to the Guild's Shawn Bailey, there will be $350 in cash awarded in April including:

First Place - $200.00
Second Place - $100.00
Third Place - $50.00

The contest has been expanded to include the general public this year. Last year's winners are:

1st Place - Timothy Phillips ($200.00 cash)
2nd Place - Thomas Roberts ($100.00 cash)

According to Bailey, "Unfortunately, the photography and the art sections of the contest will be omitted this year due to a lack of space for exhibition."

He said the writings can be up to ten pages per entry. He said a 15-page short story would count as two entries. Three two-page poems would be three entries.

"The contest is completely uncensored," he said. "It will be understood that by sending in your works, you are giving us permission to publish your work in any compilations that we may sell as a fund-raiser for the guild."

All entries must be in triplicate with no information about the author on any of the works. All information should be on one cover page. Participants should include name, address, phone number, e-mail address if available, the name and number of the works submitted, and JSU post office box number if applicable.

The entry fee per work for students, faculty and staff is $3 per submission, and checks should be made payable to The Virgin Scribe's Guild. The entry fee per work for off-campus submissions is $5.00. Entries should be sent to VSG at JSU P. O. Box 3056.

For more information contact Shawn Bailey at 237-9840 or at virginscribe@wmconnect.com. The Guild's adviser, Dr. Hamissou, may be contacted at 782-5040.

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