The Howard County Literacy Association is launching the annual State of Maryland Young Authors' Contest! This year we are excited to announce that first graders are eligible to enter the contest.

Students in Grades 1-5 are encouraged to submit a short story and/or poem by Monday, December 2 using the following guidelines:

• Entries must be original work.
• All entries must use no smaller than 12 point font in Times New Roman.
• Short story entry must range between 100-400 words (gr. 1-2) and 300-800 words (gr. 3-5).
• Poem entry will consist of a single poem, any style, and must range between 25-150 words (all grade levels).
• Entries must not include graphics.
• Each entry must include a completed cover sheet signed by the student author’s parent.

View the flier for more information and be sure to include the contest coversheet.