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January 31, 2011, is the deadline for submissions for the sixth annual "Canis Latran (The Coyote) Writing Contest"

January 31, 2011, is the deadline for submissions for the sixth annual "Canis Latran (The Coyote) Writing Contest" associated with Weatherford College's annual spring book and music festival Books 'n Authors 'n All That Jazz.

New this year: only e-mailed submissions will be accepted.

"With the advent of more Internet users, we've made the decision that e-mail submissions are not only easier, but fairer to all persons entering the writing contest," said Rae Wooten, WC library acquisitions assistant and organizer of the writing contest. "The community response to the Canis Latran Writing Contest has always been tremendous, and we expect that this year will be exceptional as well. And for persons who may be not be quite so familiar with how to use the Internet, they are always welcome to call, and we will talk them through the e-mail submission process. This will be a great sixth year for our Writing Contest, and both I and our judges are really looking forward to even more unique and exciting entries!"

Once again held in conjunction with Books 'n Authors 'n All That Jazz - the eighth annual event is scheduled for April 30, 2011 - the contest winners will be announced in a special afternoon awards program in the WC Marjorie Black Alkek Fine Arts Building. Writers will be recognized, presented certificates and given the opportunity to read their work to an audience. Additionally, each entrant will receive a complimentary copy of the Canis Latrin Anthology, the published edition of selected entries in the contest. Three $100 cash prizes will be awarded to the top writers in each of the categories.

Underwritten by local romance author and WC alumna Lori Wilde, whose work includes more than 50 published books, the cash prizes seem to be an extra incentive for entrants every year, Wooten said, and to honor Wilde's support of the writing contest, an additional award will be presented.
"We are happy to continue for the third year the LORI WILDE WC ALUMNUS FICTION AWARD," said Wooten. "This will be an additional $100 prize to a writer whose work Lori Wilde will select herself. Weatherford College is proud of Lori's many writing awards, including recognition by the National Book Awards, and is honored to establish this prize in her name."

Deadline for submissions is Midnight, January 31, 2011. There is no submission fee; entry is free. Original pieces in the following categories must be submitted by e-mail following specific guidelines: 1.) Poetry, up to five pages; 2.) Short Fiction, up to 5,500 words; and 3.) Creative Non-Fiction, up to 5,500 words.

Entries must be double-spaced and in 12-point Times New Roman type. Submissions should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , one entry per e-mail. Additionally, entry must be in the form of an attachment and in MS-WORD format. (NO Microsoft Works, etc.). All information that is required on the entry form MUST be included in the e-mail content. Short Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction must be written in paragraph style with new paragraphs indented the usual five spaces and no lines between paragraphs.
Though there is no age restriction, most submissions are by adults.

"However, we would welcome, of course, entries from high school or college students," said Wooten.

More information and the entry form are on the WC Web site at www.wc.edu. Also, interested persons may contact Wooten at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 817-598-6456.

"We have had such good work submitted in previous years," said Wooten. "And I am excited to see what our talented writers have in store for us this year. We would like to encourage everyone to enter."