Gulf Coast Writers Association

CONTACT: Jeff Bogart, 917-608-3477

For Immediate Release

                                                     GCWA Announces Writing Contest

                                                    –Open to GCWA members and the public

                                                  –Two sections: Adults 18 and over, youth 11 to 17

                                                            –Deadline for entries: May 31

FORT MYERS, FL., March 27, 2023–A writing contest open to the general public including adults and youth was announced today by the Gulf Coast Writers Association (GCWA), with winners to be named in July.

Submissions are being accepted in the Adult section from persons 18 years old and older in four categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Children’s Stories.  In the Youth section, submissions are being accepted from persons 11 to 17 years old in three categories:  Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry. 

The deadline for entries, to be submitted online, for both sections is May 31 at 11:59 p.m.

“This annual contest advances our goal of encouraging writing and recognizing outstanding writers,” said Irene Smith, president of the Fort Myers, FL, based nonprofit in making the announcement.

GCWA’s contest last year received recognition from Reedsy, a marketplace of freelance publishing professionals, as among the Best Writing Contests. 

Winners will be announced at the GCWA monthly meeting on July 15.  The list of winners will be posted on the organization’s website (https://gulfwriters.org).  All monthly meetings, currently held at Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd. in Fort Myers at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday, are open to the public.

Judges for the contest are members of GWCA as well as experienced writers from the community. Judging is done on a blind basis and members who submit entries will not judge their own entries. 

Adult Section

Sponsors of the Adult section of the contest include Ft. Myers Magazine and writers’ guides Firstwriter.com and Duotrope®. 

All winning entries in each category will be published on the GCWA website. 

There is no limit to number of submissions but entrants may win only one prize.  GWCA members may participate in the contest in addition to the general public. 

The entry fee for the Adult section is as follows:  Non-Members: $20/1st submission, $10/each additional entry.  Members: $10/1st submission, $5/each additional entry

Youth Section

Winning entries will be published on the GCWA website.  Entries are free and limited overall to three per person.  Only one prize to an entrant will be awarded.

“A winning entry would look good on any student’s college application,” noted Ms. Smith.

Entry Forms

Entry forms, guidelines, judging criteria and additional information are posted on the GCWA website.  Additional information for entrants is also available by emailing specialprojects@gulfwriters.org .

Only entries submitted online will be considered.

About GCWA

Founded in 1995 and incorporated in 2004, the Gulf Coast Writers Association, Inc. (GCWA) provides a forum for fellowship, education, and information for writers.  GCWA’s well-regarded annual writing contest draws a wide-range of authors.  Based in Fort Myers, the organization attracts members from throughout Southwest Florida from Marco Island to Tampa.  At monthly meetings, speakers and workshops offer expert advice on such topics as writing techniques, publishing, and marketing.  Participants at these meetings also have the opportunity to read their works.  The organization’s members include published as well as unpublished writers and professional editors, agents and publicists.  The literary genres run the gamut from poetry, adult fiction and nonfiction to children’s and young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, memoir, essays and screenplay.  Members include full-time writers as well as corporate professionals, teachers, and business owners, all still working or retired. GCWA’s website is https://gulfwriters.org/ 

GCWA n POB 60771, Fort Myers, FL 33906  n Not for Profit 501(c)3.