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Dear Reader,

Don't start thinking to yourself, 'I'm not a writer.' Because I started the writing contest 19 years ago, for someone exactly like you. Everyone has at least one 650-word story inside of them (the maximum number of words allowed in an entry), and I'd love to read yours.

The Write a DearReader Contest is all about writing for fun. Two people can work together on an entry, so feel free to collaborate with a friend or spouse. If your entry is chosen as a First Place ($200 cash prize), Second Place ($100), or Third Place ($50) winner, I will donate a 50% matching gift to your local library in your honor. And the winning entries will be featured in my daily column.

So get busy and start writing. Write about your grandmother's favorite recipe, tell me about your favorite or most obnoxious neighbor. What's the one word that would best describe you? What's your wish, but it hasn't come true yet? Write down the conversation you'd have with your cat or dog if they could talk. Tell me about a perfect first date, or one that made you run the other way.

If you made a list of things about yourself that make you feel proud, what would they be? Inspire folks to do what they love. When does your passion shine? When do you pull up the covers and hide-out from fear? Serious, funny, embarrassing situations, thoughts about life, fiction, and nonfiction, the topics are endless. Memories make great stories. Write about the antics of a quirky relative. I remember when…

Does the thought of writing something that people will read give you the willies? Perfect. There’s your topic—write about your fear of writing. But start writing about something...because it’s time to enter the 19th annual Write a DearReader Contest. To review the guidelines and to read last year’s winning entries, click on the tabs on the right-hand side of this page.

Thanks for reading with me. It’s so good to read with friends.

Start writing,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Guidelines and Deadline

1. Deadline, Monday, October 2, 2023
2. Maximum word count is 650 words. (Please be sure to count your words.)
3. Please submit original entries that have not been previously published.
4. Feel free to submit more than one entry for us to consider.
5. You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
6. Your story will be judged on style and content.
7. Collaborative teams are limited to two people.
8. You must include the name and mailing address of your local library with your original entry in order for them to be eligible to receive the 50% matching, cash prize.
9. Email your DearReader entry to: contest@DearReader.com.

Please put the words "DearReader Contest" in the subject line. Include your full name, mailing address and telephone number. If you are part of a collaborative entry, you must list each entrants’ full name, email address and telephone number on the original entry. If your team is a winner, we will send only one check to the first name listed on the entry.

Your entry should be in the "body" of your email message and not in an attachment. We cannot open attachments.

We will send you an email reply acknowledging receipt of your entry. If you have not received email notification within 24 hours, please email Suzanne@DearReader.com and let us know.

(If you were a winner in either of the last two years, you are not eligible to be considered this year, but you can enter for fun.)

First Place: $200

Second Place: $100

Third Place: $50

Be sure to include the name of your local library when you submit your entry. If your entry is chosen as one of the three cash prize winners, I will donate a 50% matching gift to your library. If your entry is part of a collaborative effort, I will send only one check to the first name listed on the entry. In addition to a cash prize, the winning columns will be published in the daily book clubs at DearReader.com and Penguin Random House First Look Book Club.

Last year's Write a DearReader Contest winners.