Rowlett, TX – Rowlett’s Arts and Humanities Commission has opened its annual Writing Contest, inviting Dallas and Rockwall County residents to participate. This year’s theme is “Shared Stories, Shared Spaces,” encouraging writers to explore narratives that celebrate community connections.
The contest features three categories: Short Fiction, Short Work (Non-Fiction), and Poetry. Each entry will be evaluated based on originality, content, creativity, relevancy, structure, and the impact it has on readers. Participants are limited to one entry per category, with all submissions remaining anonymous during the judging process.
Guidelines for each category include:
- Short Fiction: Imaginative narratives, including traditional stories, flash fiction, and genre fiction, with a maximum length of 5,000 words.
- Short Work (Non-Fiction): Pieces focused on real events or ideas, such as personal essays and memoirs, also limited to 5,000 words.
- Poetry: Creative works up to 40 lines, excluding titles and blank lines.
Submissions must be typed and unpublished, and the contest committee will verify word and line counts.
Participants in both the Adult Division (ages 18 and older) and the Youth Division (ages 10 to 17) will be competing for prizes, with first-place winners receiving $150 and second-place winners taking home $50. All participants will receive a certificate from the Arts and Humanities Commission to acknowledge their contributions.
Entries are due by Friday, February 27, 2026, and can be submitted via email, mail, or in person at Rowlett Public Library, located at 3900 Main Street, Suite 200. An entry form is available for download from the City of Rowlett’s website.
For more information, residents can contact the Arts and Humanities Commission at writingcontest@rowlett.com.
