Fourth Annual Last House Writing Contest for Emerging Writers

All Hands Ecology

The Last House Writing Contest celebrates author M.F.K. Fisher, who resided in her 'Last House' on the Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma Valley.

AUDUBON CANYON RANCHM.F.K. Fisher's Last House<h2>Last House Writing Contest featuring the work of emerging writers</h2>The Fourth Annual Last House Writing Contest accepts entries from children, youth, and adults who do not currently write professionally. "People ask me: Why do you write about food, and eating and drinking? The easiest answer is to say that, like most other humans, I am hungry. But there is more than that. It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the other. So, it happens, that when I write of hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and the hunger for it…and then the warmth and richness and fine reality of hunger satisfied….and it is all one." M.F.K. Fisher from The Gastronomical Me. Theme: Readers and critics have often remarked that much of the writings of M.F.K. Fisher focus on hunger: for life, love, nature in all its forms, pleasure, companionship, and much, much more. This year let hunger of every sort be our theme. Emerging writers are invited to explore hunger's many forms and how we satisfy, ignore, or otherwise address this most basic and fundamental force of human existence. Format: Writers are invited to submit an original unpublished essay or short story (poetry not accepted this year) in PDF format, 300–500 words for children and youth, 750 words maximum for adults 18 and older. Please include your name at the top of your submission.Entries accepted in three age categories: <ul><li>Children (8–12) (must have parent or legal guardian's consent)</li><li>Youth (13–17) (must have parent or legal guardian's consent)</li><li>Adults 18 and older</li></ul>Our judges include an esteemed panel of professionals in the literary, food, and agriculture fields, and Audubon Canyon Ranch employees.Judges: Chair: Clark Wolf, consultant, NPR host. Assisted by Susan Ryan, BooksellerGregory Bezat, filmmaker; Jon Cheng, writer, restaurant critic; Kennedy Golden, educator, daughter of M.F.K. Fisher; Joyce Griffin, teacher; Gwen Heistand, resident biologist &amp; preserve manager; Lynda Hopkins, Sonoma County supervisor, organic farmer; Maria Hunt, journalist, editor; Ruth Reichl, author, editor; and Anne Zimmerman, author, teacher.Entry fee: FREE for Children and Youth under 18 $40/Adults. Optional: Join as a new member of Audubon Canyon Ranch with your donation of $65. or more and your entry fee is waived. (No preference will be given to members of Audubon Canyon Ranch.) Deadline for submission of entries: May 17, 2023Winners will be announced on our website (egret.org), and social media (@auduboncanyonranch). All winners will receive a phone call.Prizes include: <ul><li>$500.00 awarded to the grand prize winner</li><li>Gift certificates to Riverbank Reader https://www.riverbankreader.com/ </li><li>Certificates awarded to first, second, and third-place essays in each age category</li><li>Your submission will be featured in Audubon Canyon Ranch publications </li></ul>Proceeds will benefit the preserves and programs of Audubon Canyon Ranch. Learn more about our mission here: https://egret.org/mission-vision-values/ Usage r﻿ights: Audubon Canyon Ranch retains royalty-free rights to edit, reproduce, share, and/or publish all winning work in perpetuity. Cancellation and refund policy: Fees help fund the programs and preserves of Audubon Canyon Ranch, a non-profit conservation organization. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a refund to contestants who withdraw after registering. If this event is canceled by Audubon Canyon Ranch for any reason, we will notify you by email and a full refund, including all Eventbrite fees, will be credited back to you within five business days (timing may vary, depending on banking institution).<aside>Audubon Canyon Ranch retains royalty-free rights to edit, reproduce, share, and/or publish all winning work.</aside><aside>Audubon Canyon Ranch welcomes people of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.</aside>

<aside>P﻿hoto credit: Barry Schwartz, @barryschwartz1</aside>

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