Students can participate in county writing contest; theme is 'deception'

The Big Read/Whatcom Reads is putting on a writing contest for county students.

To be eligible, participants must attend a high school or institution of higher education in Whatcom County.

The theme is "deception." When does a lie become the truth? How far would you go to win?

The writing contest is being held in honor of the book "Old School" by Tobias Wolff, The Big Read/WhatcomReads 2009-2010 book choice.

Submissions must be entirely original fiction or nonfiction stories and are limited to 800 words. Entries must be submitted via e-mail to Pau Piper at paul.piper@wwu.edu by Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Entries will become property of The Big Read/Whatcom Reads and will not be returned. Portions of a winning entry may be used rather than the whole. By submitting an entry, all writers grant permission to The Big Read/WhatcomReads to share their writing on its Web site and in publications and media. Winners will be announced Feb. 1 on the Web site http://www.whatcomreads.org.

One winner from each educational institution will be published in an anthology and will be invited to read his or her work at an author’s reception at 4 p.m. Feb. 21 at Village Books in Fairhaven.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.