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Cash prizes of $100 will be awarded to winners in all categories. Judges for contests are noted authors or editors outside of Valparaiso University. The judges will choose first-, second-, and third-place entries, as well as works recognized for honorable mention in each genre.

All Valparaiso University undergraduate students are encouraged to compete. Students may submit to more than one category. Submissions are limited to one entry in each genre (restricted to 20 pages each): short fiction, critical essay, creative nonfiction, and dramatic writing. A maximum of three poems may be submitted.

Submit your works (short story, creative nonfiction, critical essay, dramatic writing, poetry) by email as Word attachments (addressed to wordfest@valpo.edu). Each genre must be in its own Word file attachment. Also, include a cover note containing your name, campus address, phone number, age, home postal address, email address, genre(s) submitted, and title of the work(s) submitted. Guidelines must be followed. Finalists will be notified, and results will be announced at an awards ceremony near the end of the semester. The contests are sponsored by Wordfest of the English Department and the Cultural Arts Committee.