Gainesville —
An annual event that showcases the talents of area writers and poets is now accepting entries.
North Central Texas College (NCTC) is once again host to the NCTC Creative Writing Contest.
The NCTC writing contests offer aspiring amateur writers of all ages in Texas and Oklahoma the chance to have their work critiqued by professionals, to have it published and possibly earn them special recognition and cash prizes.
Sponsored by the NCTC English, Speech and Foreign Language Department, the popular contest usually draws up to 400 or more entries from throughout the region.
“We just keep getting more and more entries from a wider area,” contest director and NCTC English instructor Gabrielle Fletcher said. “It used to be mostly Cooke County and Denton County, but now we are starting to move out a little further and more schools are starting to participate.”
Fletcher said the competition comprises four main divisions for amateur writers ranging from middle school age through adults. Each division features subcategories for poetry, short stories and essays. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place in each division.
Deadline for entries is noon Feb. 27.
The 2013 Awards Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. April 12, at the First State Bank Center for the Performing Arts on the NCTC Gainesville campus.
Copies of the 2012 edition of The April Perennial, featuring winning entries from last year, will also be distributed at the awards ceremony.
Alan Birkelbach, the 2005 Poet Laureate of Texas, will be this year’s guest speaker at the awards ceremony.
His work has appeared in journals and anthologies such as Grasslands Review, Borderlands, The Langdon Review, and Concho River Review. He has received a fellowship grant from the Writer’s League of Texas, been named as one of the Distinguished Poets of Dallas, was nominated for Wrangler, Spur and Pushcart Prizes, and is a member of The Academy of American Poets. He has been a featured reader at the Texas Book Festival twice, and has spoken at schools and colleges across the state.
He has nine collections of poetry: Bone Song, Weighed in the Balances, No Boundaries, New and Selected Works, Translating the Prairie, Smurglets Are Everywhere, Rogue Waves, The Thread, and No End of Vision.
Translating the Prairie, an art and poetry book about the history of Plano, was a Prize Winner at the 2010 North Texas Book Festival. No End of Vision, a collaboration with the 2010 Poet Laureate of Texas Karla K. Morton, was a finalist in the 2012 National Indie Book Competition. Smurglets Are Everywhere was a 2011 nominee for The Texas Institute of Letters Children’s poetry book of the year.
He is serving as the editor for the Texas Poet Laureate Series published by TCU Press. His current project is acting as the editor for a volume of poetry by Robert E. Howard (the creator of Conan the Barbarian). He is also working on his first novel.
For more information, contact Fletcher by email at gfletcher@nctc.edu. Information can also be found at the NCTC website by visiting www.nctc.edu/CreativeWriting/NCTCcreativewriting.
Local News
NCTC announces annual creative writing competition
- Local News
-
-
Callisburg student brings gun to campus
Callisburg Independent School District officials confirmed an unlawful handgun possession by a student while on campus.
-
Lightning apparent cause of tank fire
-
Council approves land annexation
Gainesville City Council members approved a Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) annexation of 143 acres of land into city limits during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
-
Area graduates prepare for the next stage in line
Cooke County-area high schools are set to conduct commencement ceremonies during the next three weeks, and officials provided information Wednesday regarding graduating class sizes and the top scholastic students.
Gainesville High School -
Tucker joins relief effort
-
'Riding for a Cure' to benefit American Cancer Society
In the five years since her death at the age of 12 of cancer, Krista Brewer will still be impacting this world May 27 at the 10th annual “Ride for the Cure” motorcycle ride which begins at the Gainesville Outlet Mall.
-
New members join GISD board of trustees
New school board officers Corey Hardin (Place 7) and Kent Sharp (Place 6) were sworn in by Judge Chris Cypert during the Gainesville Independent School District Board meeting Monday.
-
'Shattered Dreams' makes impact at GHS
A mock drunk driving automobile accident known as “Shattered Dreams” was staged at Gainesville High School Tuesday as teachers and students witnessed what could happen if the decision was made to ride in a car with an alcohol-impaired driver.
-
Postal workers observe 'Dog Bite Awareness' week
Gainesville postal officials recently sent a reminder about “National Dog Bite Prevention Week,” which began Sunday, spans through Saturday and is sponsored by the United States Postal Service.
-
GEDC supports NTMC Foundation balloon festival
The North Texas Medical Center (NTMC) Balloon Festival and updates on the Medal of Honor Park were on the agenda at the May 20 Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) meeting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Callisburg student brings gun to campus
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
