Guidelines & Rules:

1. Participants must currently be in grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 and have parent/guardian consent. 
2. Your story must be original and unpublished. Any plagiarized entries will be immediately disqualified. 
3. Your story must be no less than 150 words and no more than 300 (words NOT characters, not including Title or other pertinent information). Please be sure to monitor your word count!
4. Your story must include ALL 3 OBJECTS: 
5.                 GLOW STICK, BIRDHOUSE, SOAP 
6. You are only allowed to enter 1 story. 
7. Immediate family members of any SSC Faculty, Staff or Board of Directors cannot submit. 
8. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.

• Immediate family members of any SSC Faculty, Staff, or Board of Directors cannot submit. 
• Only electronic submissions will be accepted. 

General Information:

1. A guest judge will anonymously choose one winner from the 5th-8th grade division, and one winner from the 9th-12th grade division. The decisions of the judge are final and binding.
2. No entry fee. 
3. Entrants retain all publication rights.
4. Prizes for Best Story will be awarded: $100 cash prize or a single session with a Youth Manuscript Consultation/Mentorship by December 20234. 
5. Submission will be open on September 1st and close on September 30th at midnight 
6. Only 1 entry per participant. Once a story entry is submitted, it cannot be unsubmitted for revision or editing. It may be permanently withdrawn for other reasons, but not resubmitted. Please read all information carefully before making a final submission. 
7. Winners in each division will be individually notified of the results by email provided.
8. This contest is void where prohibited by law.

Formatting: 

1. Include only a TITLE on your story document–no NAME, ADDRESS, or other personal information should appear on your story (that will automatically be collected during submission).
2. Double-spaced, 12 point font