Guidelines for Participating in Christian Fiction:

Individual participants will write a short story that reflects the LTCSW theme. The submission should follow these guidelines.

• The short story must form 3-6 double-spaced pages, using size 12 font. For the 3‑6 grade category, handwritten work is admissible if it is legible and neatly presented. If it is handwritten, the length shall be 4‑6 pages on notebook paper, skipping a line.
• The title of the composition, name of its author, grade, and congregations name must be on the first page.
• The story can be any form of fiction, such as a mystery, an action story, a fable, etc., as long as the current LTCSW theme is reflected. The theme can be reflected throughout the story, in the climax, or in the conclusion, as long as it is clear to the reader that the theme is being taught or presented in story form.
• The story should be written in good grammatical style.
• The story should include appropriate fictional elements such as plot and character development.
• The story must be FICTION, based on imagination, not fact, and not a biography or autobiography.
• Adult assistance should be essentially verbal and not substantive. Adults may make verbal suggestions on content and point out editorial corrections on the participant’s written work.

 

Judging Criteria:

Christian Fiction submissions will be evaluated by three judges.

• Evaluations of stories will be based on the following criteria, using a scale of 100 possible points.
  1. (25 Points) Use of Assigned Theme: Is the LTC theme clearly portrayed in the story?
  2. (25 Points) Use of the English Language: Does the participant correctly use the English language including spelling and grammar? Are literary devices such as similes or metaphors used?
  3. (25 Points) Readability: Is the story readable? Does the plot flow easily, or is the story confusing? Does the story catch and hold your attention?
  4. (25 Points) Creativity: How unique is the story in plot, form or expression?
• As appropriate, a penalty deduction of 5 points will be given if UNDER or OVER the stated page limitations (3-6 typed or 4-6 pages handwritten)
• As a general rule, awards will be assigned accordingly: GOLD, 95-100 points; SILVER, 85-94 points; BRONZE, 70-84 points; and NO AWARD, 0-69 points.
• The Event Director reserves the discretion to assign the final award.

 

Submission Protocol:

Submissions of Christian Fiction entries should follow these guidelines.

• Christian Fiction entries should be submitted to the Christian Fiction event director.
• Submissions can be made via the REGISTRATION page uplink, or by email/postal mail to the event director.
• Click on the event director’s name posted at the top of this page, or visit the CONTACT US page, for information on how to submit materials to the event director.
• Submissions must include a Pre-Convention Cover Sheet (listing all Christian Fiction participants from the church) and three copies of the participants story.
• All required materials must be submitted on or before the pre-convention submissions deadline (postal submissions must be post-marked on or before this date).
• Do not send entries in a manner that require signature receipt.
• The event coordinator will send confirmation of receipt of the submission to the church coordinator.
• If applicable to the participant(s), a LTCSW Special Needs or Concerns Form should be submitted to the LTCSW Special Needs Coordinator by the registration deadline.