Newport library accepting fictional works for contest

The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation invites high school students to submit works of creative fiction for a $250 cash award. The winning story will also be published on the foundation’s website and quarterly publication, the Bookmark.

Any student attending high school in the fall — public or private, from any school district — and who has a Newport Beach Public Library card can enter the contest, which was also held in 2009 and 2011, according to Tracy Keys, the foundation’s executive director.

“We had significantly more submissions in 2011 by promoting it via Facebook,” Keys said. “Most of the writing is really exceptional, so judging the essays is challenging.”

Keys said the contest will be judged by librarians, published authors and foundation board members.

Each story must be set in a library, have a library theme or in some way revolve around a library, and must not exceed 2,500 words. Submissions are due Sept. 1.

For complete contest rules and more information, visit nbplfoundation.org.

— Brittany Woolsey

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