The Bethesda Urban Partnership & Bethesda Magazine have partnered to honor local writers at the Bethesda Literary Festival, held April 20-22, 2012.

All Essay and Short Story Contest winners will be published on the Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine websites and honored at a special event during the Bethesda Literary Festival, held April 20-22, 2012.

Essay Contest
Deadline: February 20, 2012

Adult & Young Adult Essay Topic: Who or what has influenced, motivated or inspired you and how has it shaped your outlook on life?

Eligibility: Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are eligible. The contest will take entries in two categories: Young Adult (grades 9-12) and Adult (ages 18+ and finished with high school). 

Awards
Adult:                                                                                                Youth:
First Place: $500 and published in Bethesda Magazine                           First Place: $250
Second Place: $250                                                                            Second Place: $150
Third Place: $150                                                                                Third Place: $50
Honorable Mention: $75

Questions? Email essay@bethesda.org.

Short Story

Adult & Young Adult Short Story: Open

More information:  www.bethesdamagazine.com

Poetry Contest
February 17, 2012

Awards:
First place: $500, published on The Writer's Center's "First Person Plural" blog, and a free class and membership to The Writer's Center.
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $150

Requirements: Poems cannot be more than 21 lines of text. Do not double space your entry. Only one entry per
person. Your poem must be your original work. Any poems containing material that is obscene or
objectionable will be disqualified.

Eligibility: Open to residents of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. who are 18 or older at the time of the entry deadline.

Questions? Email poetry@bethesda.org