The Write Stuff is a group of writers in the Bloomington-Normal area meeting every month to support, critique, and challenge each other with new ideas and inspirations.

Club President/Treasurer is Teresa L. Trotter.  Teresa is a single, stay at home mother of two adopted children.  She writes psychothriller novels and horror short stories. She also freelances nonfiction articles.   Teresa's writing goal is to be able to support her family with her work.

Club Vice President/Librarian is Betsy Davis.  Betsy is a journalist whose leadership has helped make The Write Stuff what it is today.

Club Secretary is Anna Bohn. Our youngest member at 16, Anna loves writing fantasy fiction.

The Write Stuff is now meeting at Borders Bookstore on Veteran's Parkway in Normal, Illinois.  We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please join us!

"OCTOBER" is the theme of this year's short story contest.  Write a story, no longer than 1500 words, that takes place in the month of October. 

ENTRY DATES:  Entries must be postmarked between March 1, 2004 and June 30, 2004.

JUDGING:  Three independent judges will choose this year's winner.  This will be a blind judge contest, meaning there will be no name or any hint of identity of any entry's author.  Judges and The Write Stuff Contest Coordinator are disqualified from entry.

1. NORMA BROWN:  English Teacher and owner of BOOKS AGAIN, 3201 Cira Dr. W  Bloomington
2. MARI MCKEETH:  Public Relations Coordinator, Normal Public Library
3. KAREN BLATTER:  Journalist, the Pantagraph

PRIZES

• FIRST PRIZE:  $100.00, Trophy, Posting of winning story on website
• SECOND PRIZE:  $50.00, Trophy, Posting of story on website
• THIRD PRIZE:  $35.00, Trophy, Posting of winning story on website
• RUNNERS UP:  Honorable Mention on website

ENTRY FEE OF $20.00 required upon submission

WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED and prizes awarded at the October 13, 2004 meeting of The Write Stuff at Borders Bookstore, Normal, Illinois.

MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES:  Entries must be typed and double spaced.  Manuscript should include facesheet with NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, TITLE, and WORD COUNT.  Begin story on separate page.  Page number and title should be in the top right corner of each page of your story.  DO NOT include your name anywhere on your story except the facesheet.  Submit three copies of manuscript.

ADDITIONAL RULES:  All entrants must be 16 years of age or older.

SEND SUBMISSIONS, FACE SHEET, AND $20.00 FEE TO:

• The Write Stuff
• 1723 B Street
• Normal, IL  61761