Submit your work to the scrutiny of our crack judges, who will pick three writers in each contest to win cash prizes, and see your work in the Nov. 30 issue of City Paper. Even the most cutthroat competitors have rules, though. Such as:

1. 1) You must be a resident of Maryland to enter.
2. 2) One entry per writer per contest. Seriously. Multiple entries in either contest will be disqualified. Yes, it is OK to enter a single entry in both FICTION and POETRY contests.
3. 3) Stories must not exceed 2,500 words; poems must not exceed 30 lines.
4. 4) Entries must be submitted as hard copies (double-spaced) or e-mail attachments (MS Word) and accompanied by name, address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address. Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Entry attachments that cannot be opened will be disqualified.
5. 5) No entries will be returned, so don’t send us your only copy.
6. 6) Comments on your work will not be provided by the judges.
7. 7) Last year’s winners are not eligible, nor are City Paper staff or their families.
8. 8) These rules are also available online at citypaper.com/fandpcontest. Any questions about the contest should be directed to the below entry e-mail addresses. Confirmations of receipt will not be provided. No phone calls please.
   

Prizes:

Fiction: first, $250; second, $150; third, $50.
Poetry: first, $100; second, $50; third, $25.

Send entries to:

Short Fiction Contest or Poetry Contest
812 Park Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201

Or e-mail to fiction@citypaper.com or poetry@citypaper.com
No phone calls or faxes, please.

Deadline for submissions:

5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11.
All entries received by e-mail or post after 5 p.m. will be disqualified.