Astra Arts Festival Announces Writing Competition, Seeks Entries

The Astra Arts Festival is proud to announce it is now accepting entries to the festival's first-ever writing contest. Categories include original poetry, short fiction, short memoir, creative nonfiction and flash fiction entries in order to highlight the many talents of regional authors. First prize will be awarded $100, $50 for second, and $25 for third place.

Entrants are required to submit their piece, typed, to the Astra Arts Festival Writing Contest; c/o Independence Community College; P.O. Box 708, Independence, KS 67301. Entries are due by the festival's kickoff on July 3, 2014.

Winners will be chosen by professional writers, and selected entries will be printed in Astra Arts Festival's commemorative publication. Winners of the competition will be announced on July 13, 2014 - the last day of the festival - and honored with a celebratory reception to read their work at the historic Booth Hotel in downtown Independence.

Entries are $5 per submission. Submission guidelines include:

• Poetry - no piece may be longer that 100 lines, up to 3 poems per submission allowed;
• Fiction, Short Story - piece must be 5,000 words or less;
• Memoir and Creative Nonfiction - piece must be 5,000 words or less;
• Flash fiction; piece must be 150 words or less.

For more information regarding the Astra Arts Festival Writing Contest, please contact AstraArtWriting@gmail.com.

The Astra Arts Festival will be held from July 3 - 13, 2014, at varying times and locations. For a full schedule of events, please visit http://www.astrafest.org/calendar.

For more information about Astra Arts Festival, visit www.AstraFest.org.