We all have stories about the labyrinth. Maybe they’re stories of personal revelation or enlightenment. Perhaps they’re stories of healing or release. They might even be stories of building the labyrinth itself. TLS is looking for your stories as we embark on our fourth annual writing contest.

We're doing it again!
The Labyrinth Society is now hosting its fourth annual writing contest. We are accepting written submissions in three categories: essay/non-fiction, poetry and short story/fiction. Each entry must feature labyrinths and be an original, unpublished piece. The postmark deadline is June 15, 2007 and the entry fee is $10 per submission.

Winning entries will be featured on the website and possibly printed in full or excerpted in the newsletter (either our print or online editions) or one of the new TLS journals. Additional publishing rights will be negotiated if the need arises.

Submitting Your Entry:
The fee for each entry is $10 and you may enter as many manuscripts as you wish. Multiple entries may be sent in one package. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed official entry form. Please send checks only – one check may cover total amount for multiple entries in one package. 

Downloadable entry forms and guidelines are available below or by sending a request and self-addressed stamped envelope to:

The Labyrinth Society
c/o Writing Contest
P.O. Box 736
Trumansburg, NY 14886

Send three copies of each manuscript to the address above. Your name must not show anywhere on the manuscript itself.

• 2007 Writing Contest Guidelines (.doc 36K)
• 2007 Writing Contest Guidelines (.pdf 13K)
• TLS Writing Contest Official Entry Form (.doc 22K)
• TLS Writing Contest Official Entry Form (.pdf 63K)

With two tiers of judges reading anonymous entries, we have developed a judging process that is fair and impartial.

Within the labyrinth world — and especially within The Labyrinth Society — many people know each other. To ensure that the judging of the writing contest is fair and impartial, we ask that all three copies of an entry are sent without the author's name. They are received through the mail by our executive director, logged in and given a number. 

Last year seven of the ten winners were not Labyrinth Society Members, including the winner of the grand prize.

Two copies of each manuscript are sent to the first tier of judges in the appropriate category. The judges review all entries and send approximately 10 entries to the second tier judge in that category for final ranking of the entries.

The grand prize winner is taken from the #1 entry in all three categories. The top three manuscripts are sent to the final judges and they each have 20 points to "spend" however they like — giving the points to their choice for grand prize winner. Ties will be decided by the writing contest coordinator.

Here are the rules and guidelines for the 2007 writing contest of The Labyrinth Society.

The Fourth Annual
Labyrinth Society Writing Contest

More than $1,000 in Prizes!

The Contest:
The Labyrinth Society is looking for short stories/fiction, essays/non-fiction and poems that reflect the many experiences available through the labyrinth. We want to see your best writing. Stories will be judged on creativity, content, general appeal and the extent to which the labyrinth is highlighted.

In addition to a cash prize, each winning piece will be featured on The Labyrinth Society’s website and the author will receive a certificate of recognition and be introduced in the organization’s newsletter (either the print or online editions).

The Awards:
A grand prize of free registration for The Labyrinth Society’s 2007 Gathering/Conference (a $500+ value) will be awarded the one outstanding entry, be it a poem, essay or short story. First, second and third place winners in each of the three categories will receive $75, $50 and $25 respectively, plus a certificate of recognition and a year's general membership in The Labyrinth Society.

The Rules:

1. Short stories/fiction and essays/non-fiction must be 3,000 words or less. Poems must be 30 lines or less. Word or line counts must be typed on the first page of each manuscript.
    
2. All entries must be original, unpublished and not scheduled for publication at the time of entry. The Labyrinth Society reserves the right to publish the winning entries on The Labyrinth Society’s website and excerpt the winning entries in the organization’s newsletter (either the online or print editions). Further publication rights will be negotiated if such a need arises.
    
3. Submit all entries on white paper. Entries must be typed on one side and double-spaced. No entries will be returned, send only photocopies. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard if you wish notification of receipt of your entry.
    
4. Entries must be postmarked by June 15, 2007.
    
5. Winners will be announced at The Labyrinth Society’s annual gathering in November 2007. This will be true for all except the grand-prize winner who will be awarded free registration for this event and notified at an earlier date. If the grand-prize winner is unable to attend the 2006 Gathering he/she will be awarded a cash alternative of $200.
    
6. Entrants need not be members of The Labyrinth Society. For more information on The Labyrinth Society please browse this website.