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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I’m sending this, though long, in case there are some who like to write! Read carefully to participate, and share with other you may know.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Miss Ruth Williams</span></strong> <<a href="mailto:missruthnfb@yahoo.com">missruthnfb@yahoo.com</a>><br>Date: Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 1:38 PM<br>Subject: NFB Writers' Division 2022 Writing Contest Guidelines<br>To: Linda Melendez <<a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org">president@nfbnj.org</a>><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div id="m_-3201998170367015360ydp13830b33yiv0163711094"><div><div><p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB WRITERS’ DIVISION</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:red'>2022 WRITING CONTEST GUIDELINES</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The annual Youth and Adult Writing Contests, sponsored by the NFB Writers’ Division, will open January 1<sup>st,</sup> 2022, and close April 30<sup>th,</sup> 2022. This contest is open to all aspiring writers, whether blind, sighted or visually impaired. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Adult Contest Categories</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Short Fiction</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Nonfiction, including personal essay and memoir</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Poetry</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Categories</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Youth Contest categories are <b>Short Fiction</b> and <b>Poetry</b>. The Youth Contest is divided into groups by grade level:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Elementary (1<sup>st</sup> through 4<sup>th</sup> grade)</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Middle School (5<sup>th</sup> through 8<sup>th</sup> grade)</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>High School (9<sup>th</sup> through 12<sup>th</sup> grade) </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Winners</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In both the Adult and Youth contests, there may be up to three prize winners (1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, and 3<sup>rd</sup>). In addition, one or more entries may receive an Honorable Mention. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Prize winning entries may be published in the Writers’ Division’s magazine, <b>Slate & Style</b>. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>All contest winners will be announced during the 2022 national convention, location to be determined. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Prizes</span></b><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Youth Contest</span></b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> winners will receive cash prizes of:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1<sup>st</sup> place - $30.00</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2<sup>nd</sup> place - $20.00</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3<sup>rd</sup> place - $10.00</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Adult Contest</span></b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> winners will receive cash prizes of:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1<sup>st</sup> place - $75.00</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2<sup>nd</sup> place - $50.00</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3<sup>rd</sup> place - $25.00 </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:red'>SUBMISSION GUIDELINES</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>YOUTH CONTESTS</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Braille Requirement</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This is a contest for students up to age 18 who use Braille. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Entries must be submitted in hand-embossed Braille, either with a slate and stylus or a Perkins Braille writer; there are no exceptions. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Submissions must be Brailled by the entrant. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>All submissions, no matter the grade level, must be in contracted Braille. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Indicate whether you already know contracted Braille or are still in the process of learning it. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Indicate if you have chosen to use UEB or not. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Entry Information</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Hard-copy Brailled Entry and Cover Letter may be sent to:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ms. Chelsea Cook</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/901+Englewood+Parkway,+Apt.+J304+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Englewood,+CO+80110?entry=gmail&source=g">901 Englewood Parkway, Apt. J304</a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/901+Englewood+Parkway,+Apt.+J304+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Englewood,+CO+80110?entry=gmail&source=g">Englewood, CO 80110</a> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Each entrant must provide an identical electronic copy of the cover letter and contest entry as a Microsoft Word file [.doc] or as a Rich Text Format (.rtf file). Attach the electronic copies to an email and send them to Ms. Shelley Alongi at </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><a href="mailto:Queenofbells@outlook.com" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Queenofbells@outlook.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Cover Letter</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Each entry must be accompanied by a cover letter containing the following information:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Name</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mailing address</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Phone number</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>E-mail address </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Titles of all submissions, including the category in which they are being entered</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>School and grade level</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Requirements</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We will consider only unpublished original entries. Please do not submit entries that have been previously submitted to a web site or blog. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Youth short fiction stories submissions cannot exceed 1,000 words. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Poetry should not exceed 50 lines. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please review entries for spelling and grammatical errors.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Use Braille paper so the Braille is easy to read. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Multiple Submissions</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Authors of either poetry or fiction are encouraged to submit multiple pieces.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>*** </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Entry Fees </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>None.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>*** </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Youth Contest Questions</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Any additional questions may be sent via email to the Youth Contest Coordinator, Ms. Chelsea Cook at: <a href="mailto:astrochem119@gmail.com" target="_blank">astrochem119@gmail.com</a>.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'>***</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>ADULT CONTEST</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This contest is for everyone 18 years of age or older. One need not be blind to enter.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We will consider only unpublished original entries. Please do not submit entries that have been published on a website or blog. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Fiction and nonfiction categories can be of any mainstream genre and may not exceed 3,000 words. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Poetry may be any kind of poetry and of any length. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Submit all poetry, fiction, and nonfiction entries as attachments to an e-mail message in either </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Microsoft Word (.doc) or Rich Text Format (.rtf).</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Adult Contest Multiple Submissions</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Authors are encouraged to submit multiple pieces.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Adult Contest Requirements</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Fiction and nonfiction should be written in a normal prose style, with paragraphs being left justified, lines being single-spaced, and in Arial regular 14-point font. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Be sure to double-check all entries for spelling and grammatical errors. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>No hard-copy submissions will be accepted.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Adult Contest Cover Letter</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Along with your entry or entries, include a cover letter providing the following information: </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Name</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mailing address</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Phone number </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>E-mail address </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Titles of all submissions, including the category in which they are being entered</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Method of payment for the entry fee (check or PayPal) </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The cover letter could be your e-mail message, or a separate document attached to your submissions. E-mail submissions should be sent to Shelley Alongi, President of the NFB Writers’ Division at: </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><a href="mailto:Queenofbells@outlook.com" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Queenofbells@outlook.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:red'>ADULT CONTEST ENTRY FEES PAYMENT AND METHODS</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Adult Contest Fees</span></b><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Short story entry fee: $15.00 for members, $20.00 for non-members.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Non-fiction entry fee: $15.00 for members, $20.00 for non-members. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"New",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The base fee for poetry will cover up to three poems, provided that the combined line-count of all three pieces does not exceed 108 lines. Additional poems require a second fee, following the same fee payment scheme. Base fees are $15.00 for members and $20.00 for non-members. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>***</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>ADULT CONTEST PAYMENT METHODS</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>PayPal</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>You may use PayPal from the Writers’ Division website, </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><a href="http://writers.nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>http://writers.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Check</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>A check made payable to the NFB Writers’ Division, with a note in the memo referring to the contest, may be mailed to:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mr. Shawn Jacobson</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/19541+Olney+Mill+Road+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Olney,+MD+20832?entry=gmail&source=g">19541 Olney Mill Road</a></span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/19541+Olney+Mill+Road+%0D%0A%0D%0A+Olney,+MD+20832?entry=gmail&source=g">Olney, MD 20832</a></span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:yellow'>Adult Contest Questions</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Any additional questions may be sent via email to the NFB Writers’ Division President, Ms. Shelley Alongi, at </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><a href="mailto:Queenofbells@outlook.com" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Queenofbells@outlook.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'>END</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"helvetica neue",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222'>Greetings,</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222'>Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br></span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>president@nfbnj.org</span></a><span style='color:#222222'><br></span><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" target="_blank"><i><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a><i><span style='color:#222222'><br>Facebook: </span></i><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" target="_blank"><i><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</span></i></a><i><span style='color:#222222'><br>Twitter: </span></i><a href="https://twitter.com/nfbnewjersey" target="_blank"><i><span style='color:#0563C1'>@NFBNewJersey</span></i></a><i><span style='color:#222222'><br>YouTube: </span></i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKEDbjGsCYHMlwd4gqpBPjg" target="_blank"><i><span style='color:#0563C1'>NFBNJTransformDreams</span></i></a><i><span style='color:#222222'><br>Live the life you want.</span></i></span><i><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222'><br></span></i><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222'><br></span><i><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222'>The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Everyday we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>