Gold Country Writers, forging better writers!
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Nonfiction Short Story Contest Submissions Open Aug 6 – Sep 17
Gold Country Writers is excited to announce a contest for nonfiction stories of 1,500-words or less. The contest aims to give local authors the opportunity to gain experience and build their credentials.
Winners will be awarded the following prizes:
First Place $100
Second Place $75
Third Place $50
Entries will be accepted between Wednesday, August 6, 2025, and midnight (PT) Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Entry fee $15 for General Public, $10 for GCW Members.
Contest Entry Form available until midnight September 17.
Click for the 2025 Nonfiction Short Story Contest Rules.
Click for the Short Story Contest Judging Rubric Overview.
CELEBRATION!
Winners of the 2025 Nonfiction Short Story Contest will be announced at a celebration hosted by Gold Country Writers on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Auburn City Hall.
Guest speaker is best-selling author Joan Griffin, on the topic, “Unleash Your Inner Storyteller: Turning True Events to Stories.”
The event will begin at 2pm in the Council Chambers theater and will be recorded by ACTV Auburn Community Television.
From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., we will gather for refreshments downstairs in the Rose Room.
Public Welcome.
Click here for Auburn City Hall address, map, and directions.
We appreciate our 2025 contest sponsors!
Upcoming 3rd Wednesdays
GCW Speaker meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month in the Rose Room at Auburn City Hall. The public is invited to attend free.
August 20 Special Non-Speaker Event
“Let’s Talk about Mentoring and Spin-Off Groups” see Calendar for Aug 20 for details.
September 17 Bob Stanley
“Why Is This a Poem?“
October 15 Anne Da Vigo
“Creating Fiction from Real Events“
November 19 Catharine Bramkamp
“The Creative Impulse in an Age of False Perfection”
Questions or corrections? Please Send Email to GCW Web Manager
September Speaker
Bob Stanley
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Our speaker will be Bob Stanley on “Why Is This a Poem?”
Bob Stanley, Sacramento Poet Laureate Emeritus, taught English and Creative Writing at Solano College, Sacramento City College, and Sacramento State University before retiring in 2021. He was President of the Sacramento Poetry Center from 2007 to 2019. He was selected as Sacramento’s fifth Poet Laureate, serving from 2009 to 2012. Bob’s books include Walt Whitman Orders a Cheeseburger(2009), Miracle Shine (2013), and Language Barrier (2024). Bob and his wife Joyce live in Sacramento and organize online poetry seminars that help support nonprofit organizations.
Speaker meetings are held in the Rose Room at Auburn City Hall.
Public Invited — Free
October Speaker
Anne Da Vigo
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Our speaker will be Anne Da Vigo on “Creating Fiction from Real Events.”
Anne Da Vigo is the author of Night Flight, inspired by the real-life 1955 airplane bombing out of Denver airport. It was released early this year. Her other thrillers include Bakersfield Boys Club and Thread of Gold, also based on actual events. She is a former journalist who covered police and the courts for newspapers throughout California, including the trial in the first of the infamous Lords of Bakersfield murders.
For more info, visit https://annedavigoauthor.com/.
Speaker meetings are held in the Rose Room at Auburn City Hall.
Public Invited — Free
November Speaker
Catharine Bramkamp
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Our speaker will be Catharine Bramkamp on “The Creative Impulse in an Age of False Perfection.”
Catharine Bramkamp is a writing coach and workshop facilitator; and she has authored 27 books, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Her most recent nonfiction book is Out Loud: A Writing Adventure for Women. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Nevada County Arts Council, Empire Club, and on the organizing committees for the Sierra Poetry Festival and the Sierra Writers Conference. For more information, visit: https://catharine-bramkamp.com/.
Speaker meetings are held in the Rose Room at Auburn City Hall.
Public Invited — Free