Canada's favourite writing contest is back! Enter now for your chance at literary fame and fortune.

This year the 8th Annual Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest has adopted some new rules. We've posted some Postcard FAQs to help out along with way.

Rules:

Make your own postcard using photos, drawings or images in the public domain, write a story inspired by that postcard, then send us the image and the story. The relationship between image and story can be as subtle as you like, as long as the contest judges can see the connection.

Maximum length: 500 words, fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry.

Winning entries will be published in Geist and at geist.com. For inspiration, check out last year's First Prize winner, Glamour, by Leslie Stark. Visit our postcard story page online for winning entries from previous years.

Honourable mentions will be published at geist.com.

First Prize: $250

Second Prize: $150

Third Prize: $100

Honourable Mentions: Swell Geist gifts

(more than one prize per category may be awarded)

How to enter:

ONLINE:

Click here. You will be prompted to upload your story, image and to pay your entry fee.

BY MAIL:

Type your literal postcard story on standard paper, in at least 11-point type, and attach the image with a paper clip (no staples, please). Judging is blind, so do not write your name on the story or the card. Include a cover letter with these details:

Your name

Story title(s)

Address

Phone number

Email address

How you found out about the contest

(Your personal information is kept confidential and will be used by Geist only to contact you.)

Entry Fee: $20 for the first entry (includes a 1-year subscription or subscription extension), $5 for each additional entry.

Send your entry by mail, with a cheque for the entry fee, to:

Geist Postcard Contest

#210 - 111 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4

Entries must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2012.

Questions? Check out our Poscard Story Contest FAQs here.

Still unsure? Email geist@geist.com or call 604-681-9161.

THE FINE PRINT:

Winning entries: Geist takes first serial rights for print and non-exclusive electronic rights to post the text at geist.com. All other rights remain with the author.

All publication rights for non-winning entries are retained by the entrants.

Postcards will be returned if requested.

Geist contests are open to all entrants except Geist staff, contract employees, board members and executives of the Geist Foundation.

Postcard Story Contest FAQs

Can I enter the contest more than once?
Yes. You may enter the contest as many times as you like. The entry fee is $20 for the first entry, and $5 each for each additional entry. Click here to enter online.

How can I pay the entry fee?
If you are entering the contest through our Online Submission and Contest Manager, you can pay online by credit card or by PayPal.

If you are sending your entry by mail, you can pay by cheque or money order. Please do not send cash in the mail.

If I send my entry by mail, can I still pay by credit card or PayPal?
Yes. But please contact us before you do. We can be reached by email at geist@geist.com, or by phone at 1-800-GEIST-EH or 604-681-9161.

Can I email my entry?
No. If you would like to enter electronically, please use our Online Submission and Contest Manager.

For the postcard image, can I use a picture or drawing that I created?
Yes. The copyright for any original writing, photograph or artwork you create automatically belongs to you. If Geist offers publication, we license the right to use your work for that publication only, and all other rights stay with you.

Please do not submit drawings of trademarked characters or reproductions of someone else’s work, unless you have obtained permission (see below).

How do I know if an image is in the public domain?
In Canada, copyright expires 50 years after the copyright holder's death, unless the copyright holder's estate renews the copyright. Images from the 1500s are therefore a pretty good bet.

A good place to find images that can be used without special permission is Wikimedia Commons. Every image on the site has been released for use by the copyright holder, and includes information on how to acknowledge the artist. Look for images that are marked as being in the public domain.

Can I use an image that is not in the public domain if I obtain permission?
Yes. Make sure to get written permission from the copyright holder, even if you know the person (email is fine). Make sure they understand they are giving permission for the image to be published in Geist in the event that you win.

Do I need to make an actual postcard, or can I just send the image?
You can just send the image.

When will the winners be announced?
It can take up to six months after the deadline to judge contest entries and select our winners. Please wait at least six months after a contest has closed before inquiring about the results.

http://www.geist.com/
http://www.geist.com/articles/8th-ann ... ry-postcard-story-contest

Click on the link above and go to the contest official site