"IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD" LITERARY ARTS CONTEST New Contest Free
Sponsored By: Lake Oswego United Church of Christ (Congregational)

Contest Status: Active

PCI Recommendation: Recommended

Deadline: 9/1



Contest Type: Poetry (Individual Poems)

Experience Level: All Authors



Language: English

Translations Eligible: No

Other Restrictions: Notify if accepted elsewhere; those entering the poetry category should submit only one poem unless the additional poems are part of a linked series, not to exceed 4,000 words total.

Themes: Contest seeks "pieces that engage/illumine/explore some question animating the human spiritual quest". See "Suggestions" below for more details.

Genres: Poetry, short fiction and creative nonfiction all welcome



Top Award: $500

Other Awards: 2nd Prize $250, 3rd Prize $100. Winners will be invited to read their poem at a Sunday church service (Oct. 24, 2004 for 1st Prize poem, Oct. 17 for 2nd and 3rd Prize poems). The winners and three Honorable Mentions will also be honored at a ceremony Oct. 24.

Publication of Winners: No

Entry Fee: None



Sponsor Details:

Lake Oswego United Church of Christ (Congregational)

1111 SW Country Club Road

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

USA



Phone: 503-635-4348

http://www.loucc.org/literary.htm

Contact Email: loucc@pacifier.com



What To Submit: MS, SASE #10 envelope for notification, official entry form (available from

http://www.loucc.org/appl_net.pdf)

Length Limit: 4,000 words

Submission Format: Typed, single-spaced (poetry) or double-spaced (prose). No name on entries; include entry form with author's name, address, phone number, and MS title and category.



Submissions Per Entrant: One Submission Per Entrant (across all categories, not per category)

Unpublished Submission: Yes

Exclusive Submission: No



PCI Editor's Comments: This contest appears new for 2004. Prizes are good for a free contest. Website also mentions a Young Writers' Contest - query for more info.



Suggestions: Contest organizers say:


"'In The Beginning Was the Word' is a literary arts contest, open to all

writers, founded on two basic premises:


1. the primary way to the Spirit is not through doctrine, but through experience; and

2. poetry and creative prose possess the greatest capabilities, not only of reporting such "numinous encounters," but

of re-creating and mediating them.


By their talents, poets and authors of creative prose can broaden people's awareness into the very omnipresence of the Spirit, and into the 'recognition that existence is charged with a mysterious other.' (James M. Wall)


We welcome submissions from all writers and poets whose gifts may broaden our own awareness. Entrants need not meet any doctrinal or church membership requirements."


Guidelines For Submission:

"What we seek in poetry/prose submitted to "In The Beginning Was the Word" are pieces that engage/illumine/explore some question animating the human spiritual quest. Many questions fall into that category, such as:

• What is the relation of humanity to God, the universe, life?

• How/Where does one touch Hope, Love, Grace, and Meaning, in today's world?

• What is the Good, the True, the Right?

• What is the secret to the fullness of life?

• What is the purpose of human existence?



In addressing any of these questions, authors and poets can take a variety of approaches:

• To some, the key to 'spiritual Truth' may lie in a belief common to a major organized religion; whereas to others, it may lie in more personal insight.

• Some essays, short stories, or poems may explicitly assert how Powers Unseen are at work under the surface of their narratives; others may merely invite readers into ambiguous territory where they are prompted to ask their own

religious questions, and come to their own conclusions.


In presenting his/her vision of the spiritual, a writer should feel free to offer an interpretation that is either traditional or unorthodox; judging will simply be done on the authentic spiritual insight evident in the piece, as well as upon its literary excellence."



Contest Judge: From all submissions, a select committee from the Lake Oswego United Church of Christ shall engage in a "blind judging" process to choose first, second, and third place winners.



MS Returned: No



Typical Number of Entrants: New contest

Contest Established: 2004