Ray Bradbury Summer Writing Contest

Write a short story based on your favorite poem and turn it in before August 8th for a chance to win prizes.

The Waukegan Public Library is proud to announce the return of the annual Ray Bradbury Creative Contest! From July 1st to August 8th, Lake County residents are invited to submit a short story for a chance to win prizes! 

Ray Bradbury based several of his stories off of poems, including "I Sing the Body Electric" (based on a poem of the same name by Walt Whitman) and "There Will Come Soft Rains" (based on a poem of the same name by Sarah Teasdale). Now, we're looking for participants to do the same. Pick a poem that you like or means a lot to you and create a short story inspired by it.

Adults and students (3rd-12th grade) are welcome to submit their best pieces for a chance to win a cash prize ($100 for first place winners, $50 for second place winners).

Only one submission is permitted per person. Submissions can be in English or Spanish (we will have judges who can read Spanish). They must be saved as a word document or PDF and must be no longer than five pages, single-spaced. The format should be 12 pt. Arial or Times New Roman font. Make sure the file is titled: Bradbury-LAST NAME; FIRST INITIAL. Email the submission as an attachment to reference@waukeganpl.info along with the following information: 
First and last name 
Phone number and/or email address 
Title of the submission (include name of inspiration poem)
Age group (Adult, 7th-12th, 3rd-6th) 

PLEASE NOTE: If the submission isn’t formatted as required or the above information isn’t included or the entrant is not from Lake County, the submission will be disqualified. 

Winners will be announced on August 22nd, after which they can come by the library to pick up their prizes

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