GLENVILLE, WV – The West Virginia State Folk Festival is seeking submissions for the 2023 festival writers contest. Writers are encouraged to submit their work for judging no later than May 1, 2023. Submissions should be on a topic related to Appalachian life and culture, particularly found in West Virginia. Submissions may be on any related topic and in any prose genre: fiction, nonfiction, narrative, memoir, or essay. Poetry is not eligible for submission and submissions must be free of graphics. Entries should be the sole creation of the writer and not include submissions that have been published and/or created prior to the beginning of this contest.a
Entries will be accepted in the following categories and should not exceed the word length limits: Children (under 12): 800 words; Young Adult: (13-17): 1,000 words; and Adult: 1,250 words.
Judging will take place and winners will be announced at the West Virginia State Folk Festival (June15-18, 2023). Selected works will also be printed in a 2023 WV State Folk Festival Writers Contest Booklet. A first-place award of $100 will be presented in each category. Submission forms can be found at https://go.glenville.edu/3FWQqG0 or picked up at the Robert F. Kidd Library.
The contest is open to the public. Entries should be e-mailed to Jason.Gum@glenville.edu or mailed to: WV State Folk Festival, Writing Contest, 100 High Street, Glenville, WV 26351.
For more information or research assistance, please contact Library Director Jason Gum at (304) 462-6161.
The WV State Folk Festival began in 1950 under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gainer and has remained a consistent attraction in Gilmer County through the work and leadership of many others over the years, which have included Fern Rollyson, Mack Samples, Ginny Hawker, Dr. Megan (Darby) McKnight, and Dr. David O’Dell.
