The Elliott White Springs
Prize for Fiction Contest

Deadline for Entries: 30 January 2009

The Friends of the Medford Library is proud to announce the eleventh annual Elliott White Springs Prize for Fiction Contest. This annual writing competition is dedicated to Colonel Elliott White Springs in recognition of his contributions to American fiction. Springs, born in Lancaster in 1896, was a well-known writer of fiction during the 1920s. His stories were semibiographical, blending fiction and factual episodes. The mission of the contest in his honor is to support and encourage writers of fiction by offering annually a cash award of $500. to a currently enrolled USC Lancaster student.

The contest calls for previously unpublished fiction (no more than 5,000 words). Manuscripts must be postmarked no later than 30 January 2009, and must be typed and double spaced. Font size should be twelve points, and dot matrix printer must be at least twenty-four pin. Each writer must send two copies of the manuscript. Only one entry per writer will be accepted; no manuscripts will be returned. If you wish to be notified that your manuscript was received, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Previous winners may not participate in the contest a second time.

The author’s name should not appear anywhere on the manuscript or copies, but the title must be on the manuscript and copies. Attach a separate sheet (no copies) on which the following information is typed:

•  Author's name
•  Address
•  Daytime telephone number
•  Social Security number
•  Title of work

The contest will be judged by a noted, experienced writer. Selection for the award will be based on literary quality and suitability for a general audience. All fiction is acceptable for consideration; the judge’s decision is final. We reserve the right not to award based on the judge’s recommendation. The winner will be notified on or before 30 April 2009.  The competition is open to any writer who is currently attending USC Lancaster full-time or part-time. All manuscripts should be sent to:

The Elliott White Springs Prize for Fiction Contest
Attention: Dr. Walter Collins, Humanities Division
University of South Carolina Lancaster
Post Office Box 889
Lancaster, South Carolina 29721

The writer whose work is selected will receive a $500. cash award and a bound copy of the winning entry from the Friends of the Medford Library, USC Lancaster. Winning works will be bound for addition to the USCL Medford Library collection. Winners are free to market stories elsewhere after the award is announced. 

For more information, contact Shari Eliades at USC Lancaster’s Medford Library at (803) 313-7060.

List of Previous Winners