Enter Paste‘s Summer-Themed Writing Contest!

Books Features

Update: The deadline has passed, and now we’re busy reading the entries! We’ll announce the winner on July 30 and publish his or her story on July 31. In the meantime, you can still read dozens of “That Summer” stories written by famous authors at Biographile.com.

Don’t you just love summer? From lounging in the sunshine with a captivating read to buying lemonade from boisterous kids in your neighborhood, summer is a time to pause and relish life’s simple pleasures. We’re so excited about the season at Paste, in fact, that we’ve teamed up with our pals at Biographile to launch a writing contest with the theme “That Summer!”

Think back on a summer that was pivotal in your life, one that remains memorable for being transformative in some way, big or small. Perhaps it was your first summer job, where you were humbled as you entered the working world? Or a vacation with family or friends in which time slowed? Maybe it was a lesson on love, one learned through heartbreak or a kindled relationship?

Whatever your story, we want to read it! Email your non-fiction tale to [email protected] by July 23rd to enter the contest. A team of editors from both Paste and Biographile will judge the entries, and the winner will be announced on July 30th. In addition to having their story published on Paste and Biographile on July 31st, the winner will receive their choice of an Out of Print t-shirt and a bundle of books curated by Biographile, including:

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood
A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley
Heretics and Heroes by Thomas Cahill
The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton Disclafani
Remember Me Like This by Bret Anthony Johnston
Pilgrim’s Wilderness by Tom Kizzia
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Will Not Attend by Adam Resnick
The Walk Home by Rachel Seiffert
The Vacationers by Emma Straub

Looking for inspiration before you begin writing? Check out the That Summer series on Biographile. All month long, Biographile will publish summer-themed stories written by famous authors, including Margaret Atwood, Emma Straub, Adam Resnick and more.

Contest Rules:
We will only accept non-fiction stories written in English between 500 and 600 words long. You must include your story in the body of your email, as attachments will not be considered. Props if you’re a prolific writer, but the contest is limited to one previously unpublished work per person (pieces posted on personal blogs count as “published” works and are not eligible for the contest). You must notify us immediately if your story is selected for publication elsewhere. You have from 7 a.m. on July 1st to 11:59 p.m. on July 23rd to enter, so get writing!

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