Storytime Writing Contest Rules and Submission Instructions

The Storytime Writing Contest ("Writing Contest") is open to original, unpublished, fictional short stories on the topics of family life and homeschooling. This contest is open to all students aged 15 and under, and adults aged 16 and over. Entrants in the Adult Division must be 16 years of age or older, and entrants in the Children 's Division must be under the age of 16. Entrants under the age of eighteen (18) may enter only with the permission of a parent or guardian. All entrants, and a parent or guardian of all entrants under the age of eighteen (18) must be willing to sign a publication release prepared and provided by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine as a condition of winning.

Entries in the Adult Division must contain 2,500 words or less. Entries in the Children's Division must contain 1,500 words or less. All entries must be written in English and may not be published or submitted for publication elsewhere in print, digital or electronic format until after winners are announced. Entries that exceed maximum word counts and entries that otherwise fail to comply with these contest rules or The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC Writing Contest Rules ("Writing Contest Rules") (as published on the Internet at http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/TOS_Extras/Contests.php) are subject to disqualification.

Entries must be received or postmarked by midnight, March 16, 2009. All entries must be accompanied by a nonrefundable entry fee of Seven Dollars and Ninety-Five Cents ($7.95) in United States Dollars, must include the entrant's name, age, mailing and e-mail address, telephone number, exact word count and must indicate whether the entry is being submitted for consideration in the Adult Division (ages 16 and over) or the Children's Division (ages 15 and under). All entries must be the original work of the entrant and may not be co-authored or revised by any other person. Parents may help transcribe their child's story if the child cannot write, but cannot make suggestions, revisions or otherwise assist the child writer in any way. All entries must be the sole, original work of the child, without parental or other outside assistance.

One grand prize and eleven honorable mentions will be awarded in each division. The grand prize winning short story in each division may be published in an upcoming issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and on the Internet website located at http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com. At the discretion of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("TOS"), some or all of the grand prize and honorable mention winning stories may also be included in an electronic book ("E-Book") published by TOS (publication subject to additional terms and conditions).

The author of the grand prize short story in each division will receive the special prizes listed beneath the text "our adult winner will receive" or "our child winner will receive," as appropriate.
Authors of short stories receiving honorable mentions will have their names and story titles published in a sidebar in the Summer 2009 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.

Initial judging will be conducted by editors, employees, and independent contractors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC. Finalists will be judged and winners selected by a panel of volunteer judges selected by the publishers of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, some or all of whom may be independent contractors or other persons employed by or affiliated with TOS. Entries will be judged on the basis of multiple objective and subjective criteria, including without limitation, content, theme, spelling, grammar and the presentation or incorporation of positive family values. Judges' decisions are final. Entrants will not receive and are not entitled to editorial or other critiques or explanations of judging or the status of individual entries. Winners will be identified on our website, located at http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com, on or before May 4, 2009. Entrants who have not been contacted by this date may submit or market their stories elsewhere.

Entrants may enter multiple stories, but each entry must be completely original and comply with all contest rules. Entrants must submit a separate entry form and pay a separate fee for each entry. Entrants may receive a maximum of one prize or honorable mention per person, regardless of the number of entries submitted. Entries may be submitted electronically or by postal mail. Entry fees must be paid at the time of submission. Entries received without the appropriate entry fees or those that contain incomplete or erroneous information are void and will be disregarded. Electronic entries may be submitted by following the instructions below.

Entries submitted by postal mail must be double-spaced, typewritten on one side of 8.5" x 11" white paper and sent to the following address: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Storytime Writing Contest Entries, P.O. Box 8426, Gray, Tennessee 37615. Entries will not be returned. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC will not notify entrants of entry status before winners are announced.

Disclaimer and legal notices: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("Company") is sponsoring the Storytime Writing Contest. Entrants must follow all rules to participate. Entering the contest constitutes full and complete acceptance of all of the Writing Contest terms and conditions, including without limitation all of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC Writing Contest Rules ("Writing Contest Rules") (as published on the Internet at Short Story Contest Rules) and Writer's Guidelines and Terms of Use for Submitting Queries ("Guidelines") (as published on the Internet at http://www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com). Entering the contest constitutes a warranty that the entrant (and a parent or guardian, for Children's Division entrants) has read, understands and agrees to all of the Writing Contest Rules, terms and conditions and the Guidelines.

All Writing Contest Rules apply. Entry constitutes a grant to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC of one-time, nonexclusive rights to publish the entry in the print and digital/online versions of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and continuing nonexclusive rights to publish the entry in back issues, reprints, on company websites and otherwise in accordance with The Writing Contest Rules. Entry also constitutes full consent and unlimited permission for Company to print, publish, broadcast and use all intellectual property and personal information submitted as part of the Writing Contest entry on the Internet and in any and all Company publications in accordance with the Writing Contest Rules. Entries become the property of Company and will not be returned. Employees and independent contractors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, Writing Contest sponsors, judges, individuals or entities furnishing Contest prizes and their family members may not participate. Company reserves the sole, discretionary right to determine writing contest winners and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the writing contest or the Writing Contest Rules at any time with or without notice or cause, subject to applicable law. See Writing Contest Rules for more details.