Alaska's lesbian short story contest, women's art and music shows, call for contributors and performers *New Deadline*

UPDATE: The short story contest deadline has been changed to February 15.

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Women in Alaska are invited to send their fiction stories with lesbian content to the RAW 2010 short story contest. But write fast - entries are due Feb 1.

"Radical Arts for Women is sponsoring a short story contest open to women living in Alaska. The fiction pieces must be between 250 and 5,000 words and contain some lesbian content. The grand prize is $500, second place is $300, and third place is $100. Deadline is Feb. 1, 2010. There is no entry fee. Winners will be announced at Celebration of Change on March 27, 2010."

RAW is also accepting applications for an Art Show and Reception at the Kodiak Bar and Grill in downtown Anchorage. (Online application PDF HERE, due 3/15.) The art show runs March 19-April 1 and the reception is on March 19.

Celebration of Change is RAW's all-women produced and performed annual show. Singers, dancers, poets, actors, comedians, as well as vendors and volunteer helpers, are encouraged to apply. Celebration is March 27 in the Wilda Marston Theatre, and the $15 tickets will be available at Metro Books and the Gay & Lesbian Community Center.

Along with the story contest winners, this year's winner of the Radical Woman Award will be announced during Celebration. The Radical Woman Award honors women who have made significant contributions to the GLBT community in Alaska. To nominate a wonderful woman in your life, send a short paragraph highlighting her contributions to info(at)radicalartsforwomen.org by March 1.

RAW's 2010 Short Story Contest Guidelines:

• Each entry must contain a cover sheet with author's name, address, phone number, email, story title, and word count.
• The short story must be between 250 and 5,000 words and contain some lesbian content. Stories should be on 8.5-x-11 size paper, double spaced, 1-inch margins, no less than size 10 font. Do not put author's name on the story. The fiction and lesbian stipulations may be interpreted by the author, but we are not seeking poetry or non-fiction. Erotica is acceptable. Electronic submissions are not accepted. Unpublished submissions only.
• Author must be a woman living in Alaska as of January 2010.
• February 1, 2010 is the postmark deadline for entries.
• There is no entry fee.
• Winner receives $500 and the winning short story will appear on www.radicalartsforwomen.org and may also be published in the Alaska LGBT literary journal, Naked Ptarmigan.
• Honorable mentions will be given at the judges' discretion.
• Winners will be announced at Celebration of Change on March 27, 2010. For list of complete list of winners, include a SASE with entry.
• Mail entries by February 1 to: Radical Arts for Women Short Story Contest, PO Box 244436, Anchorage AK 99524-4436.

The first place stories for 2009, 2008 and 2007 are posted at Radical Arts for Women, along with a list of other winning stories and honorable mentions.