Accepting Entries Now for ECC Writing Contest

Have a good story to tell? Write it down and win! Until Wednesday, Nov. 9, current ECC students can submit their stories and/or essays to the Annual ECC English Department’s Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Writing Contest.

“I think it’s important for students to participate in writing contests,” said English instructor Josh Stroup. “They get a real audience to read their work, not just family or friends. We should celebrate writing, and this contest does just that.”

Each student is allowed a maximum of three entries, and each entry must be no longer than 20 pages.

Additionally, submissions should be in size 12 Times New Roman font and single spaced. Please include a cover sheet with your name, phone number, email, mailing address and entry titles. As for individual stories or essays, only the title in a header is needed. Entries should be submitted as a Microsoft Word attachment to Joshua.Stroup@eastcentral.edu.

Winners will be announced via email on Tuesday, Nov. 29. First prize is $100, second prize is $50 and third prize is $25.

ECC graduate Faith Joyce won prizes in the 2013-2015 fall writing contests. Joyce placed second in 2013 with “I’ll Watch You Up the Street”, third in 2014 with “The Good Ones” and third in 2015 with “Flowers and Songs”.

“All of my stories were creative non-fiction pieces surrounding the themes of growing up — a big family raised in a small town, the love of family, loss, brokenness and hope,” Joyce said.

After her time at ECC, Joyce transferred to the University of Missouri- St. Louis where she will be graduating in December with a certificate in writing.

“My English professors at ECC were hugely instrumental in giving me the push, tools, motivation, encouragement and confidence to venture out with my writing into the reading public’s eye,” Joyce said. “I am so grateful for them.”

For more information about this contest, contact Josh Stroup at Joshua.Stroup@eastcentral.edu.