Writers have until Dec. 1 to submit for Whatcom WRITES! contest

Local writers have until midnight Dec. 1 to submit entries to this year’s Whatcom WRITES! contest. The theme is "Enemies," a tie-in to the 2012 Whatcom READS! featured title, "In the Presence of the Enemy," by Elizabeth George.

Writers may submit a poem, short story, fiction or nonfiction entry of up to 800 words. The top 30 entries will be published in an anthology; rights return to the author upon publication. Winning authors will be invited to read their work at Village Books on February 12, 2012.

Whatcom WRITES! is a companion program to Whatcom READS!, which encourages everyone in Whatcom County to read and discuss the same book. Whatcom WRITES! allows local authors to explore themes associated with the selected novel through their writing.

Visit the Whatcom READS! website for writing contest rules and details on how to submit entries. The website includes a complete calendar of events, discussion questions and an online message board for community members to share their thoughts about what they’ve read.

For more information, contact Western Washington University librarian Paul Piper at (360) 650-9097 or paul.piper@wwu.edu.