2008 College Contest

Derived Text

Each year, Marginalia holds a contest open ONLY to full-time college students, at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Our primary goal is to get writers at the beginning of their careers published. Our secondary goal is to offer a unique contest that responds to current literary movements. Our third goal is to give you the money you so desperately need. At $5, our 2008 College Contest fee is exceptionally modest. It’s a cheap way to get yourself into print! The prizes are as follows: $300 for first place, $150 for second place, and $50 for third place. All winners’ work will be published in Marginalia Online 2008. The first place winner will also be published in the fall 2008 print issue of Marginalia. Winners also receive copies of Marginalia.

In 2008, we are seeking creative writing, both poetry and prose, based on DERIVED TEXT. We want you to get inspired by the words of others: quote from written work of any genre, reinterpret the work of other writers, respond to the work of other writers. You can even incorporate visual art. We have a few rules below, but we want you to interpret the meaning of DERIVED TEXT. Some examples of derived text: ekphrastic poems, footnoted short stories, mosaic or collage work that incorporates the words of others. You can use a mathematical formula if you want (such as incorporating the fifth word from the fifth line/sentence of the fifth book of your favorite author). The editors of Marginalia, as listed in the About Us page of the website, will judge the contest. Feel free to combine the DERIVED TEXT with any other form, such as a villanelle or haiku in poetry or the 100-word microfiction in prose.

The rules

  1. You must be enrolled in college as a full-time student in the 2007/2008 school year. We will accept submissions from students who are graduating in the fall 2007 and spring or summer 2008 semesters.
  2. You must enclose a check for $5, payable to Western State College. You may enter more than one piece. Additional entries cost only $2.
  3. You must CITE any words that are not your own. Be aware that for ekphrasis, taking only one line from each different source is safest under fair use laws. The words of others should be a jumping off point. Do not plagiarize under any circumstances.
  4. Include your name, mailing address, e-mail, and telephone on (at least) the first page of your submission. Please indicate at what college or university you are currently enrolled.
  5. DEADLINE: March 15, 2008. We will accept submissions beginning August 15, 2007.

Mail your entry to:

College Contest
Marginalia
CALL Dept.
Taylor 115
Gunnison, CO 81231