The Telling Our Stories program at Austin College is sponsoring a contest for autobiographical stories.  The deadline for entries is March 15, 2013.  Cash prizes totaling $225 will be awarded, as well as certificates of merit.

A few sample topics include the first car/truck you can recall, vacations or long trips made by car, tent camping or using a travel trailer or motorhome, early experiences with “tourist courts” or motels, and entertaining kids with games and other activities when traveling.

We are looking for stories that record significant incidents in the lives of individuals or reflect cultural patterns. The most interesting stories will be the ones unique to individuals. Poems are not accepted.

Each writer may enter only one story, and the story should not have been entered in a previous year's TOS contest.  Stories must be based on the personal experience or family history of the writer.  Length should be approximately 750-1500 words.  Entrants must be 18 years old or older and reside in Grayson or adjoining counties (in Texas or Oklahoma). 

The age categories are as follows: (1) Super Seniors (80 and older); (2) Senior Citizens (age 60-79); (3) Adults (age 18-59).  All entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2013.  Mail to: Autobiography Festival, Austin College, Suite 61565, 900 N. Grand Ave., Sherman, TX, 75090-4440. 

Attach a cover sheet with your name, age, address, and telephone number.  Your name should not appear elsewhere on the entry.  To facilitate unbiased judging, cover sheets will be removed and entries will be assigned numbers.

Winners will be announced April 28, 2013.  All stories will be rated by the judges as meriting Gold, Silver, or Bronze Star rankings, and each entrant will receive a certificate of merit as part of a recognition program at Austin College on May 5.