Twelve Months with the Walrus Writing Contest
On January 12, 2012 | 0 Comments

Twelve Months with the Walrus – Monthly Short Story Contests Begins January 2012

Walrus Publishing’s mission is to work with talented St. Louis writers to develop their manuscripts for publication for distribution to a local and national audience.  As part of this mission, we are launching a year-long writing contest focused on you, the St. Louis writer.

We are looking for short stories about Saint Louis from Saint Louis writers; a story set here, a story about here, a history of here–anything you can think of as long as Saint Louis is part of the story.  The story can be of any genre – romance, horror, suspense, mystery, thriller, GLBTQA, humor, whatever (with the exception of erotic or pornographic).  This is your city.  This is our city.  Let’s tell its story together!

Get Published! Every month of 2012, one first place winner will be selected by Walrus’ talented team of writers and educators. In addition to a $50 prize, winning short stories will be published on the Walrus Web site and in an anthology to be released in the summer of 2013. In addition, two honorable mentions will be selected each month for publication on the Walrus Web site.

Get Feedback! At Walrus, we value relationships with writers and their brave efforts to share their work. Therefore, every participant will hear back from us with feedback to help them develop their writing. The turnaround time will depend on the number of entries, but rest assured, you will hear from us.

Get Started! Our contest kicks off in January 2012. Entries are due by the last Friday of the month.   Winners will be announced around the last Friday of the following month.  So get writing and good luck!

Contest Guidelines

Who is eligible?

Writers from the St. Louis metro-area are preferred, but we will consider writers from other areas if the story or the writer has a connection to St. Louis.

What types of stories are accepted?
Stories must be 5,000 words or less. They can be of any genre but they must have a St. Louis connection.

Can the story be a previously published work?

No, the short story must be previously unpublished.  The author must have all rights to the story.  The author agrees to grant Walrus Publishing the right to edit the work and exclusive rights to the work for use on its Web site and for publication.  Once the story has been published in the anthology, all publication rights are returned to its author.

Is there an entry fee?
There is a $10.00 entry fee per story, payable online via the Walrus Publishing online bookstore through PayPal. We cannot accept checks or cash.

How many stories can I submit per month?
We will accept three stories per writer maximum.

When are the monthly deadlines?
Stories and entry fee must be received prior to midnight on the last Friday of the month. Winners will be announced the middle of the following month. The first deadline is Friday, January 27.

How do I enter?
Submissions must be made electronically to submissions@walruspublishing.com. Please double space your document , number the pages and include your name on each page. Along with the story, please send  an author bio (150 words)and photo.  Entry fee is submitted separately via the Walrus Publishing online bookstore through PayPal.

How is the winner selected and who is providing the feedback?

Lisa Miller, publisher and president of Walrus, along with her team of writers and educators will be reviewing each entry through a tiered selection process and will be providing the feedback.

What does the winner receive?

Each monthly first place winner receives a $50 prize, publication in the 12 Months with the Walrus anthology (anticipated release summer 2013)and publication on the Walrus Web site. Two honorable mentions per month will also be posted online.

Where can I learn more?
Read more about Walrus Publishing at www.walruspublishing.com. For specific questions, contact the publisher at lisa.miller@walruspublishing.com.