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American based 'Pockets' magazine are running a free to enter fiction-writing contest. Pockets, a devotional magazine for children aged six to 12, are offering $1,000 prize for the winner and publication. Other entries may be chosen for publication too. The magazine's website explains: "Pockets offers wholesome devotional readings that teach about God's love and presence in life. Each page of Pockets affirms a child's self-worth. Included are fun and exciting puzzles, games, stories, poems, recipes, colorful pictures, and scripture readings. The magazine is published monthly (except in February) and includes a wide variety of materials." The website advises that stories should contain lots of action, use believable characters and dialogue, be simply written, and be relevant to the problems faced by this age group in everyday life. Children need to be able to see themselves in the pages of the magazine. "It is important that the tone not be 'preachy' or didactic. Use short sentences and paragraphs. When possible, use concrete words instead of abstractions. However, do not 'write down' to children.It is no longer common practice to use such terms as 'man,' 'mankind,' 'men,' in the familiar generic sense. Substitute non-sexist terms that are inclusive of everyone (e.g., 'humankind,' 'persons,' 'human beings.)" Fiction-Writing Contest Guidelines Guidelines for the contest are essentially the same as for regularly submitted material. Historical and biblical fiction is not eligible. Submissions will be: *Accepted if postmarked between March 1 and August 15 of the contest year. *Returned if accompanied by an SASE. Your SASE must include sufficient postage for your submission plus 2 pages -- a letter of notification and writers' guidelines. Submissions should be: *1,000 to 1,600 words -- 1,400 word manuscripts are the best length for our purposes. Stories are disqualified if they are shorter or longer by even a few words. Note accurate word count on the cover sheet. *Previously unpublished. *Designated Fiction Contest on the envelope and on the cover sheet. *There is no entry fee. The winner, notified by November 1, will receive a $1,000 award. Because the purpose of the contest is to discover new writers, previous winners are not eligible. Send contest submissions to: Pockets Attn: Lynn Gilliam 1908 Grand Avenue P.O. Box 340004 Nashville, TN 37203-0004 Further details and general story guidelines are available at http://www.upperroom.org/pockets/