Erma Bombeck Writing Competition
The 2012 competition is now closed.
Read the winning entries!
A huge thank you to our esteemed panel of judges.
Mark your calendars--the next contest opens in January 2014!
Read the winning entries!
A huge thank you to our esteemed panel of judges.
Mark your calendars--the next contest opens in January 2014!
"Hook 'em with the lead. Hold 'em with laughter.
Exit with a quip they won't forget."
˜ Erma Bombeck
Capture the essence of Erma's writings and you could win $500! 525 writers from 7 different countries and 48 states entered the 2012 competition.
Erma Bombeck, graduated from the University of Dayton in 1949, lived with her husband and family in Centerville, Ohio, and inspired people worldwide with her columns and books about life's trials and tribulations. Her memory lives on with the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition hosted every two years by the Washington-Centerville Public Library and the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop hosted by the University of Dayton.
Important Dates
12/06/2011 Noon - U.D. Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop Registration Opens
01/03/2012 8:00 AM - Erma Bombeck Writing Competition Opens
02/14/2012 7:30 AM - Erma Bombeck Writing Competition Closes
02/14/2012 - March - Erma Bombeck Writing Competition Judging
04/18/2012 7:00 PM - Erma Celebration
04/19/2012 - 4/21/2012 - U.D. Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop SOLD OUT!
Get Inspired!
- Check out these great books and movies.
- Read past winning entries.
- Sign up for the FREE Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop e-mail newsletter.
- View the 2012 competition statistics.
- Watch Tracy Beckerman at the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop at U.D.
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Eligibility & Rules
Eligibility:
- All ages may enter (all entries are judged together).
- Entries are accepted from anywhere in the world.
- Previous contest winners are encouraged to enter.
- Registration to the University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop is NOT required to enter the writing competition.
- Washington-Centerville Public Library employees, board members, contest judges and their families are not eligible.
- $15 entry fee. ** NEW **
- Entry must be written in English.
- Limit one entry (total, not per category) per person.
- Personal essay must be 450 words or less (entries of more than 450 words will be disqualified).
- Essay must be previously unpublished, or published only once prior to January 3, 2012. Essays appearing in a blog (once) may be submitted to this contest.
- Essay must be written by one person; no writing teams, ghostwriters or writing partnerships.
- Payment and entry must be submitted online using the official online entry form. PayPal link will be visible below when the contest opens.
- Hard copy entries will not be accepted and will not be returned if submitted.
- Entries must be submitted by 7:30 AM, EST, February 14, 2012.
- All submissions are final! Corrections to and replacements for submitted essays will not be allowed.
- By submitting your entry, you guarantee the work was written by you and expresses your original ideas.
- Washington-Centerville Public Library reserves the non-exclusive right to publish the winning entries.
How to Enter
- Choose one category for entry:
- Humor
- Human Interest
- Write a personal essay of 450 words or less following the judging criteria.
A personal essay "deals lightly, often humorously, with personal experiences, opinions, and prejudices, stressing especially the unusual or novel in attitude and having to do with the various aspects of everyday life." ˜Phillip Lopate, The Art of the Personal Essay.
- After paying the entry fee, you will be directed to the official online entry form where you will be asked to enter your demographic information and essay. The PayPal link will be visible below when the contest opens.
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Judging
- Entries in the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition are judged in two rounds - first by a panel of volunteer judges from across the United States and Australia, and then by a final judge in each category.
- Blind judging is used which means that the author's name is not on the work as it is being judged.
- Meet our esteemed panel of judges. They will be using the following guidelines to score your entry:
All Entries - General Criteria:- Does it have the voice of Erma? Erma knew how to portray the humor in the mundaneness of everyday life.
- Is it organized? Does it stay on topic and have well-developed ideas?
- Does it have a compelling lead? The piece should "Hook 'em with the lead. Hold 'em with laughter. Exit with a quip they won't forget."
- General criteria as stated above.
- Is it funny?
- General criteria as stated above.
- Is it true and does it evoke emotion?
Winners & Prizes
- 4 first place winners will be selected:
- Humor - Global (Regional & International)
- Humor - Local (Montgomery County/Dayton, Ohio area)
- Human Interest - Global (Regional & International)
- Human Interest - Local (Montgomery County/Dayton, Ohio area)
- $500 cash prize to winners in all four categories. ** NEW **
- First place winners also receive free admission ($375 value) to the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop hosted by the University of Dayton from April 19 through April 21.
- Winning essays will be published on Washington-Centerville Public Library's website and in a local newspaper.
- Judges will also select several essays for Honorable Mention
- Writers of essays selected for Honorable Mention will receive a competition certificate
- Decisions of the judges are final.
- Winners will be announced in late March
Erma Bombeck Celebration
Tracy Beckerman
Centerville Library, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 7 PM
Everyone is welcome to attned this free event!
Tracy was a writer and producer in the television industry for ten years and has received numerous honors for writing including the prestigious Writer’s Guild of America award, a CLIO, an International Film and Television award, and a New York Emmy®.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear about her life, her family, her kids, and the funny, embarrassing parts of daily life that we can all relate to.
More about this event.
Registration: Not Required.
Attendance at this event is NOT required to enter the competition.
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U.D. Writers' Workshop SOLD OUT!
- Hosted by the University of Dayton
- Workshop registration starts December 6 at noon.
- Workshop dates: April 19-21.
- $375 Registration Fee (waived for winners of the writing competition)
- Read about the keynote speakers, sessions, and workshop presenters on the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop website.
- Attendance at this workshop is NOT required to enter the writing competition.
Sponsors
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For more information, e-mail libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us or call 937-610-4429.
