Mississippi State University's 9th Annual Writing, Art, and Music Contest for Student Service Members & Dependents
CONTEST DATES
Opens: Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Closes: Friday, October 20, 2023
In honor of Veterans Appreciation Week, The G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Center for America's Veterans and The Writing Center invite all student service members, student veterans, and student military dependents to submit creative works in order to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the experiences of service members on our campus. In the tradition of the literary journal Prairie Schooner’s Winter 2013 A War Portfolio and The Student Veterans of America's WarPaint Art Competition, we invite all creative expressions of "the human experience of the military.”
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CONTEST DETAILS
This year's theme: “Through the Looking Glass”
To non-service members, the life and experiences of military service members and their families can be hard to imagine. The strength and dedication military service requires can appear foreign and otherworldly, like something only captured in film or television. This theme asks veterans, active service members, and the family of military service members to provide a lens into the unique aspects of their lives and experiences. Whether it comes from the mundaneness of living on base or the pressure of serving abroad, we ask to hear your experiences and see inside your world.
Who Can Enter: Awards are open to veteran, active duty, reserve members, or dependents of veterans/service members of the United States Military who are currently students enrolled at Mississippi State University.
Submission Deadline: Friday, October 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Award winners will be announced during Veterans Appreciation Week (November 6-10).
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AWARDS DETAILS
Prizes are awarded in both writing and art categories; there is separate judging for student service members and dependents.
- First Place: $500
- Second Place: $300
- Third Place: $200
Awards Criteria: (1) Creator is a veteran, active duty, reserve member, or dependent of a veteran/service member of the United States Military. (2) Submission reflects the purpose of the contest: to promote an understanding of the human experience of the military; (3) Originality
Writing Submissions: Acceptable submissions include but are not limited to: Essays, Poems, Short Stories, Lyrics, Letters, Dialogues, Comics
Art Submissions: Acceptable submissions include but are not limited to: Collages, Paintings, Drawings, Graphic Designs, Mixed Media/ Multimedia Projects, Photographs, Videos
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SUBMISSION DETAILS
The maximum amount of written submissions a writer may submit at one time is two short stories/comics/essays and/or five poems or song lyrics (we welcome multiple forms of written work; if you have questions, please send them to writingcenter@msstate.edu). Non-multimedia/digital writing submissions should be saved as a PDF without identifying information and attached directly to your email. Multimedia/digital writing submissions that cannot be saved as a PDF should be uploaded to the World Wide Web without identifying information; the link should be included in your email. The maximum amount for art submissions is up to ten pieces. (We welcome multiple forms of artwork; if you have questions, please send them to writingcenter@msstate.edu). Non-multimedia/digital art submissions should be saved in high quality JPEG format without identifying information. Multimedia/digital art submissions that cannot be saved as a JPEG should be uploaded to the World Wide Web without identifying information; the link should be included in your email.
Note: All submissions remain anonymous to the staff during the judging process. You also have the option to have your work exhibited anonymously on The Writing Center’s website after awards have been announced. Contest judges are all MSU staff/faculty who have military affiliation or previous military experience.