WCDR's Short Story Contest will offer every entrant the chance to have their work read by lauded Canadian author Sarah Selecky; a great opportunity for any aspiring writer!  We're accepting fiction of any genre using one of Selecky's writing prompts (www.sarahselecky.com ).

Before you send your work, make sure that it follows our submission guidelines stated below:

• You must be 18 years of age or older to enter the WCDR Short Story Contest.

• Fiction only, please. Works of poetry or non-fiction will automatically be disqualified.

• Entries must be original and unpublished elsewhere. This means that an entry must not be under consideration elsewhere for publication or broadcast, accepted elsewhere for publication or broadcast, or entered in any other contest. Work that has appeared on the Internet is considered published and is ineligible.

• Entries must be based on one of Sarah Selecky’s writing prompts. Please include both the prompt itself, and the date on which the prompt was first posted, on your entry above the title on the first page of your entry.

• Judging is blind. Entries should not identify the contestant. You will identify yourself on a separate form when you submit your story or stories using the Submittable electronic submission system. Any contestant who identifies themselves on their entry will automatically be disqualified.

• Submission to the contest is via the Submittable online submission system only. If you are unable to use Submittable because of a disability, please contact accessibility@wcdr.org for alternate arrangements. Please format your entry in standard contest format: 12 point, serif typeface (such as Times New Roman), double spaced, with 1-inch margins on either side. File formats accepted: .doc and .docx.

• The maximum word count is 2,500 words (not including prompt, prompt date and title). Any entries longer than 2,500 words will automatically be disqualified. There is no minimum word count.

• The Contest opens at noon on Saturday, January 11, 2014, and closes at midnight on Sunday, March 23, 2014.

• International entries are welcome.

• An entry consists of one story. The entry fee is Cdn$25 for Canadian entries, and US$30 for international entries. Contestants may enter as many times as they like, but each entry attracts the same entry fee.

• Entries received after the contest has officially closed will be ineligible. In the event of late submission, your submission fee will not be refunded.

• A single writer may only win ONE prize.

• Contest winners will be contacted directly, either by email or by telephone.

• Winners will be announced at the WCDR’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday, June 14, 2014 (and online that same day, after the AGM).

• No entries will be returned.

• The submission fee is non-refundable.

• By entering this contest you agree to grant WCDR (and its sponsors) first publication rights to the entry. Short-listed stories will be included in the contest anthology.  This right is automatically waived if your entry does not make the shortlist.