By Samuel Blondahl
The South Cariboo Writers Guild is holding a public poetry contest starting today (March 12).
This is the first public contest the guild has hosted, and members are reaching out for community support with the hopes of promoting literacy and interest in the arts.
The contest is open to all residents of the South Cariboo, from Clinton to 150 Mile and all surrounding communities. Prizes for the contest include publication in a future edition of the 100 Mile House Free Press, and a gift certificate for Nuthatch Books in 100 Mile House.
The guidelines for poetry submissions are simple; the theme is Springtime, keep the content family friendly, and limit entries to 400 words in 20 lines or less.
All entries must be original work and include your name and contact information.
Entry is free and submissions may be done on the guild's website at www.southcariboowriters.com, sent to SCWriters@hotmail.com, or mailed to Attn: SCWG box 2034 100 Mile House V0K2E0.
Please have all entries in before April 18 at the latest.
While this contest is for poetry and required to have a PG rating, no genre or style is excluded from regular guild business, and creative freedom is encouraged.
The guild hopes to have more contests in the future, and welcomes any local writers to join them at their regular meetings; details are on their website and Facebook.
Members include published authors, poets, experienced editors and casual writers alike. Samuel Blondahl is a South Cariboo Writers Guild member.