Nonfiction 1,500-Word Short Story Contest CLOSES at MIDNIGHT

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. All three winning stories will be published on the Gold Country Writers website and in the Gold Country Media newspapers and online issues.

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.

Guidelines

• The contest is open to the general public who live in any one of these California counties: Placer, Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, Sacramento, and El Dorado.
• All Gold Country Writers members in good standing are eligible, regardless of their place of residence.
• Limit ONE entry per person.
• Entrants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Stories must be no more than 1,500 words in length with no images.
• Stories must be original, unpublished works of nonfiction. Furthermore, the author must be the sole creator and attest that no AI software was used. The author must be the sole owner of the work.
• Entries must be in the standard manuscript format: double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, one-inch margins.
• Stories are judged anonymously. Include a cover sheet with your name, email, phone, and story title. Do not include your personal information on any other page of your manuscript.
• No erotica, racist content, or expressions of excessive violence will be accepted.
• Author will retain the rights; however, entry into the contest permits the story to be published on the GCW website, in GCW’s future publications, and in Gold County Media newspapers and online issues.
• Stories will be judged by the criteria listed here:  https://goldcountrywriters.com/short-story-criteria
• Winners will be announced at a celebration hosted by Gold Country Writers on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Auburn City Hall in the Council Chambers theater. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., we will gather for refreshments downstairs in the Rose Room.

Entry fee $15 for non-members, $10 for GCW Members.

Entry process will be posted closer to the date, consisting of an online form and payment on the GCW Website, plus an email to submit the story.