OWFI offers many categories for their contest. We chose to limit ours to 7 categories, and although not totally mirroring OWFI, we adopted their category descriptions for the 2020 contest. Refer to the descriptions below for specific word limits.

Categories for EWC Contest

1. Short story, includes YA (2,000 – 4,000 word limit)
2. Juvenile short story or picture book (600-1,000 word limit)
3. Memoir (4,000 word limit)
4. Flash Fiction (500 word limit)
5. Poetry, rhymed or unrhymed (50 line limit)
6. Humor (2,000 word limit)
7. Essay or Article (2,000 word limit)

Category Descriptions

Short Story (Fiction) A short story is a brief piece of fiction pointed and more economically detailed as to character, situation, and plot than a novel. They often revolve around a single theme, one climactic event developing a single character in depth. Narrower than a novel, a short story contains these basic elements: characters, setting, plot, conflict, resolution, climax, dialogue, protagonist, and antagonist. All short stories should present the major character with an important problem that the character must struggle to solve and engage the reader in caring about whether the character achieves that goal by story’s end. Limit 4,000 words.

 Young Adult Short Story: Fiction (for readers age 13-18) A YA short story is a brief piece of fiction pointed and more economically detailed as to character, situation, and plot than a novel. They often revolve around a single theme, one climactic event developing a single character single theme, one climactic event developing a single character in depth. Narrower than a novel, a short story contains these basic elements: characters, setting, plot, conflict, resolution, climax, dialogue, protagonist, and antagonist. All short stories should present the major character with an important problem that the character must struggle to solve and engage the reader in caring about whether the character achieves that goal by story’s end. Limit 2,000 words.

 Picture Book: Fiction or Non-Fiction for ages 1-8 Picture books are large art-filled books for children but are also appealing to older kids and even adults. They are designed to bring information and/or entertainment to life for young eyes, and the text must be minimal. These books have a beginning, middle and end. Picture books do not necessarily feature a character, but when they do the protagonist must solve his or her own problem and the problem should be something significant. Often a picture book portrays a concept such as numbers, letters, weather, colors, etc. Picture books may also evoke a mood, such as a bedtime story. These books should be engaging and present the topic in a fresh, child-like way. (Show, don’t tell). Limit 750 words.

 Juvenile Short Story: Fiction (for readers age 7-9) A juvenile short story is a brief piece of fiction pointed and more economically detailed as to character, situation, and plot than a novel with a subject matter aimed at children. They often revolve around a single theme, one climactic event developing a single character in depth. Narrower than a novel, a short story contains these basic elements: characters, setting, plot, conflict, resolution, climax, dialogue, protagonist and antagonist. All short stories should present the major character with an important problem that the character must struggle to solve and engage the reader in caring about whether the character achieves that goal by story’s end. Limit 600 words.

Juvenile Short Story: Fiction (for readers age 8-12) A juvenile short story is a brief piece of fiction pointed and more economically detailed as to character, situation, and plot than a novel with a subject matter aimed at children. They often revolve around a single theme, one climactic event developing a single character in depth. Narrower than a novel, a short story contains these basic elements: characters, setting, plot, conflict, resolution, climax, dialogue, protagonist and antagonist. All short stories should present the major character with an important problem that the character must struggle to solve and engage the reader in caring about whether the character achieves that goal by story’s end. Limit 1,000 words.

Memoir/Nostalgia – Memoir is first-person, narrative nonfiction that focuses on one specific aspect of the writer’s life, or experience. Nostalgia focuses on down-home occurrences reflecting the past; these pieces evoke a fond remembrance of a time gone by, or memories of childhood. Limit 4,000 words.

Flash Fiction An extremely short but complete work of fiction. As with longer stories, a flash fiction story must contain the four elements of fiction: setting (which is usually implied rather than fully described), one or more characters, a conflict, and a resolution. Because of the length limitations, these stories often make use of suggestion and innuendo. This is fiction at its barest, most essential form. Every word must move the story forward. Stories submitted in this category should be targeted to an adult audience. Limit 500 words.

Poetry Rhymed Any theme, any form. A poem is characterized by intense, compressed language. Every word is carefully chosen. A poem can tell a story, create an image, or evoke an emotion. In all cases, it is an art form and should go beyond plain prose to evoke something deeper. Limit 50 lines.

Poetry Un-Rhymed Any theme, any form. A poem is characterized by intense, compressed language. Every word is carefully chosen. A poem can tell a story, create an image, or evoke an emotion. In all cases, it is an art form and should go beyond plain prose to evoke something deeper. Limit 50 lines.

Humor – Humor, is exactly that: a piece of writing meant to evoke humor. Everyday experiences can resonate with the reader, or common interest stories when written in a clever and entertaining voice bring forth a smile. The humor piece should also meet the criteria of its form: column, short story, article/feature, poetry or essay. Manuscripts submitted in this category should be targeted toward an adult audience. Limit 2,000 words.

Essay or Article: (Any subject of contemporary interest) Essays are personal opinion pieces using narrative form to convince the reader of a certain point of view, or at least to better understand that writer’s view. There are formal, fact-driven essays (George Will), and informal, lighter essays (Erma Bombeck). Bear in mind the quality and logic of the argument and how well the author uses facts, reasoning, and literary tools such as analogy to convince. Sometimes an opinion can be presented, a point of view expressed, an argument driven home in a novel or unusual way by telling a story or seeming to take the opposite point of view, or a fable with a clear moral at the end. Limit 2,000 words.

Inspirational articles should concern a personal experience or struggle that provides inspiration or hope to others. A profile or personal story should touch the reader in some way, impart a valuable message, and/or educate the reader in some way. While this piece can be religious in nature, it is not mandatory. The piece should strive to inspire and motivate the reader. It may be a vehicle for presenting the author’s opinion about a topic that has personally affected him or her and may also include a call to action. The author’s voice and style give the piece life. Limit 2,000 words.