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"I was apprehensive at first about taking an online class since I am not a computer expert, and also because I wondered about a class with no face-to-face interaction. However, taking this class on the computer was so simple, I never felt intimidated. I also felt like I came to know both the instructor and the other students through their comments and class discussion."

- Julia Gentile
Retired Attorney

"If you're looking for a thorough explanation and examination of the nonfiction book proposal process, this is the course for you."

- Kristen Levithan
freelance writer

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Eligibility: The contest is open to students in grade 11 or 12 attending a U.S. or Canadian high school at the time the essay is submitted. The winner will be asked to provide proof of enrollment. Employees of The Writer, Kalmbach Publishing Co. and Gotham Writers' Workshop are not eligible to participate.

Contest: Submit a previously unpublished 600- to 800-word personal essay in English on the following topic: "Select a work of fiction, poem or play that has influenced you. Discuss the work and explain how it affected you." No song lyrics.

Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on the expression of ideas and overall quality of the writing, including grammar, punctuation and syntax. Only essays written on the specified topic will be considered.

Judges: The Writer editors will judge all entries. The decision of the judges is final.

Entry: There is no fee for entry. Only online entries will be accepted. Only one entry per student. Entries may not be adjusted after submission.

Entry Deadline: Entries must be received by March 31, 2011 at 11:59PM EST.

Prizes: The winning writer will receive: $500, publication in The Writer magazine and on WriterMag.com, a one-year subscription to The Writer, and a copy of the Gotham Writers’ Workshop anthology Fiction Gallery.

Notification: If the winning entrant cannot be reached by June 1, 2011, the runner-up will be awarded the prizes. The winner will be announced in June 2011. Writers who entered the competition will be emailed results on or before June 30, 2011.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - ENTRY FORM