International short-story contest

The Sikh Foundation USA and Chardi Kalaa Sikh Community Center, San Jose, are proud to announce an international short-story contest. This event, entitled "Writers of the Sikh Future," is intended to comb the community for talented writers. It is also intended to generate stories in which Sikhs stand up and are counted. Sikh heroes and heroines fill our magnificent history and our daily lives. So where are they in contemporary fiction? Weave us a modern-day sakhee (short-story) to inspire our young people and let them know that they and their heritage matter. That's our one and only stipulation: all entries must portray Sikhs as central figures.

We are particularly interested in stories for children and young people. The entries need not be restricted to typical cultural settings. In other words, don't feel boxed-in by "true" stories, where Sikhs are farmers or soldiers. Your Sikh could be an astronaut in outer space, a detective with Scotland Yard, a nurse in a large Detroit hospital, an engineer in Silicon Valley, an  accountant with a Nairobi public-relations firm, or a film director in Hollywood.  The possibilities are endless. Just remember: your central figure must be Sikh,  whether man or woman, boy or girl.

Please note that this contest is open to anyone who is interested in Sikhism or would like to actively participate in the literary efforts of the Sikhs. You need not be a Sikh to participate, although some knowledge of the Sikh way of life would be essential to a well-told story.

AWARDS

Now for the good stuff. Grand prizes are open to all participants, irrespective of age.

First Grand Prize: $1000 

Second Grand Prize: $250

In addition, there are special prizes for our younger writers.

Ages 11-16 years $150 and $75 

Ages 10 years and under $100 and $50

REQUIREMENTS

There is no word limit for your story. Make it as long or as short as you like. Use 300 words or 3000, but remember to make each word count. Your story must be in English. Your entry must be postmarked by April 30, 1998. E-mail entries must reach us by midnight on the 30th of April. Submissions must include:

I warrant that I am the sole author of, and have exclusive rights to the story that  I have submitted to the "Writers of the Sikh Future" Competition entitled [insert title of your story]. I hereby indemnify the "Writers of the Sikh Future" Competition and its sponsors from any and all liability and responsibility for loss of, damage to, preservation, or return of [insert title of story]. I also release one-time publication rights for this story or any segment or portion thereof to "Writers of the Sikh Future" and its sponsors, and authorize them to use my name and work in any publicity or promotions related to the competition and publications that arise from it. [Insert your signature, your clearly printed or typed name and address, and the date].

 

Submissions not following these guidelines will be automatically disqualified from the contest. Disqualified entrants will not be notified.

Entries will not be returned. Winners will be notified, by May 15, 1998, via post and the results will be posted on the Internet. Any entrants wishing to be notified of the results by post even if they do not win must explicitly request this. All decisions made by the judges of the contest will be final and unimpeachable.

PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:

Sikh Foundation, USA 580 College Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 USA

Phone 415-494-7454

or

Email to sikhwriters@chardikalaa.com

Updated information on the contest will be maintained on this page