Santa Fe, NM, June 18, 2007

Writers ages 14-19 in New Mexico are invited

to enter the Young Authors Competition sponsored by the Santa Fe Short Story

Festival. To attract the most diverse talent, the competition is open to all

New Mexicans who are 14-19 years-old as of August 3, 2007, even if they are

not enrolled in high school. Original short stories on any subject of up to

2000 words in length will be considered. Entries must be postmarked by

August 3, 2007.

The finalists will compete for the four cash prizes to be awarded: $500 to

the winner, $250 for the runner up, and $125 for the two honorable mentions.

The four prize-winning stories will be read at the 2007 Santa Fe Short Story

Festival by professional actors. Finalists (the four authors whose work is

selected for a prize) may request a travel allowance if they live 100 miles

or more from Santa Fe.

?One thing is clear?the world needs to hear the voices of young

writers,? asserts David Olson, Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Short

Story Festival. ?One amazing way to reach out into the world with a strong

voice is in the form of the short story.?

For more complete contest rules, the required submission form, and other

information, interested individuals should visit www.SantaFeShortStory.org.

ABOUT THE SANTA FE SHORT STORY FESTIVAL

The mission of the Santa Fe Short Story Festival is to create a compelling

literary event by attracting world-renowned writers and actors; to host

educational opportunities through lectures, films and panel discussions; and

to provide a forum for New Mexico writers to publicly read their works.

The Santa Fe Short Story Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

which began in 2005, and was founded by Tony Branch and Marsha Mason. As the

only festival of its kind in New Mexico, the organization provides exposure

and focus on the short story, an art form that has been ignored, but is

seeing a resurgence in the literary world today. Through performance and

reading aloud, whether by the authors themselves or by professional actors,

the short story comes alive for audience members of all ages combining an

element of entertainment with education.  Some works may have never been

read or heard before, especially certain unpublished works by new authors.

The 2007 Festival will take place on the campus of the

New Mexico School for

the Deaf on October 4, 5 and 6 under the Artistic Direction of David Olson.

Media Contact:

Nancy Fay

505.466.3440

http://www.santafeshortstory.org