Contest

 NOW OPEN AND ACCEPTING ENTRIES
Cash Prizes: 1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $50
Prizes will be awarded at the Annual Writers' Conference April 27, 2024
(you do not need to be present to win)
NETWO
2024 First Chapter Contest Rules
  1. Entries must be submitted online by April 9th, 2024 at midnight CST at firstchapter.netwo@gmail.com 
  2. Entry fee is $10 per entry. Payments are accepted through Paypal at netwowriters@gmail.com. Checks may be mailed to NETWO P.O. Box 962 Mt. Pleasant, TX 75456
  3. The combined word count of your synopsis and manuscript must not exceed 2,750 words.
  4. Manuscripts must be original, unpublished (including online platforms), and not already accepted for publication. Novels that are based on previously published short stories are not eligible. Writers may submit multiple entries; separate entry forms and payment should accompany each submission. 
Formatting Instructions for All Entries

1. Entries must be typed and double-spaced. Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins.
2. Each story must have a separate cover sheet sent as a separate attachment containing only: 
a. The name of the story
b. The author’s name
c. The author’s complete address
d. The author’s telephone number
e. The author’s email address
f. Story word count
3. The combined word count of your synopsis and manuscript must not exceed 2,750 words. (Yes, this includes titles, subtitles, and footnotes).
4. Please include a header with only title and page number.
5. Your synopsis should appear on the first page, before the opening pages of the manuscript. Judges will read the synopsis first. (Consider allocating approximately 250-300 words to the synopsis. However, you may submit a long synopsis and a shorter chapter entry. If the total combined word count of the synopsis and manuscript does not exceed 2,750 words, you’re fine.)
6. Your synopsis should include the title of your manuscript. Please put the title in all caps (LIKE THIS).
7. OPTIONAL Judge’s Note (does not count toward 2750 total):
a. 100 words max
b. Place at end of document in bold type with the words “Note to the judge” above it.
c. These optional notes will NOT be taken into consideration by the contest judges and will not influence your score in any way. They are purely meant as an opportunity for you to ask a burning question to the judges who will critique your entry or give them some (brief) additional information about the piece.
d. Notes to the judge are unnecessary unless you have a compelling reason to include them.
8. Author’s name must not appear anywhere in the document.

Failure to abide by the contest rules and formatting guidelines will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. If you have questions on any contest rules or formatting instructions (or anything else contest related), please reach out to our Contest Coordinator at firstchapter.netwo@gmail.com
We’re always happy to hear from you.



Teen Writing Contest Results



             
Caleb Kelly, First Place in Level 4, 12th grade.
The Rocket’s Blue Glare.

Sarah Kelly, Second Place in Level 4, 11th grade.
 My Darling, My Love.

Micah Kelly, First Place in Level 3, 9th grade.
Fantastic Plants.

Seth Kelly, Second Place in Level 3, 9th grade. 
The Great Conquest.

Miriam Simmons, Third Place in Level 3, 10th grade.
The Fall.

Faith McDermott, First Place in Level 1, 5th grade.
She-Wolf; Flight of Peril.







Winners of the 2023 NETWO First Chapter Contest:
1st Place - Donna Jo Stone - "Promise Me Tomorrow"
2nd Place - Linda Knadle Rodante - "Reckless"
3rd Place - Jayna Morrow - "Seaside Engagement"
Honorable Mention
4th Place - Stephen D. Griffitts - "Rooster"
5th Place - Jayna Morrow - "The Fairytale Inn"
6th Place - C.I. Chevron - "Grist"




Teen Writing Contest Results!
       
     10th to 12th grade winners 

1.) First Place: The Field by Jolene Reed

2.) Second Place: The Tournament by Sarah Kelly

3.) Third Place: A Difference in the End by Caleb Kelly

4.) Honorable Mention: Eyes of Home by Josi Simmons



7th to 9th grade winners 

1.) First place: Rise by Savannah Nguyen

2.) Second Place: Presidential Predicament by Micah Kelly

3.) Third Place: Gravity Falls by Seth Kelly

4.) Honorable Mention: Starbucks Standards by Miriam Simmons

5.) Honorable Mention: Kaya of the Desert by Kayelee Schreckengost

(number 4 and 5 tied)

2022 First Chapter Contest Winners

Over All Winners

1st Place – In the Shadow of the Pines – 375 – Author Donna Stone

2nd Place – The Marriage Spell – 359 – Author Jayna Morrow

3rd Place - Pringle Prawn – 339 – Author Michael Scott Clifton

Honorable Mention – Steel Hearts – 338 – Author Lira Brannon


Mt. Pleasant Public Library

 

1st Place – In the Shadow of the Pines – Author Donna Stone

2nd Place – Fire Sky – Authors Jean Pamplin & Joy Chitsey

3rd – Steel Hearts – Author Lira Brannon

 

NTCC Library

 

1st Place – In the Shadow of the Pines – Author Donna Stone

2nd Place – Pringle Prawn – Author Michael Scott Clifton

3rd Place – Texas Winds – Author Dana Wayne

 

Pittsburg Public Library

 

1st Place – In the Shadow of the Pines – Author Donna Stone

2nd Place – The Marriage Spell – Author Jayna Morrow

3rd Place – Texas Winds – Author Dana Wayne

 

Franklin County Library

 

1st Place – In the Midst of Lions – Author Gordon Bonnet

2nd Place – In the Shadow of the Pines – Author Donna Stone

3rd Place – Steel Hearts – Author Lira Brannon




The Autumn Teen Short Story Contest 2021 Winners

7th grade:

1st: Seth Kelly with "Hidden Mine"

2nd: Micah Kelly with "Oliver and the Three Missing Puppies"

10th grade

1st: Jolene Reed with "Iced Milk"

2nd: Sara Kelly

11th grade

1st: Caleb Kelly "An End and A Beginning"


Jory Sherman Short Story Contest 2021 Winners

1st--Mike Clifton

2nd--Jayna Morrow

3rd--Lira Brannon

Honorable mention

Frankie Hambrick-Capers



Announcing the Winner of the 2020 Teen Contest:


Jolene Reed.



Announcing the winners of the Jory Sherman 2020 Contest!


1st - Whipped Cream and an Extra Pump - Delia Latham

2nd - Almost a Man - Almost - Galand Nuchols

3rd - The Haunting of Hog Hollow - Lira Brannon

4th - Hope - Charity Lowdermilk

5th - The Hatmaker's Curse - Lira Brannon

6th - Sunflowers on a Windy Day - Donna Jo Stone



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