What, exactly, do we mean by creative non-fiction? It's memoirs and essays and any work of non-fiction written in a literary style, as opposed to a journalistic one. Some examples would be books by John McPhee, The Diary of Anne Frank, much of Tom Wolfe's work, Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer, Liars' Club by Mary Karr, or essays by the likes of Cynthia Ozick or the late E.B. White.
Creative non-fiction doesn't "report" as much as it "tells." It's a story conveying an experience, not just the bare facts, a tale complete with true events using the tools of fiction, if necessary, to present itself. We all tell stories, and a simple account of "a day in the life" can be an extraordinary example of creative non-fiction.
RULES:
* The contest is open to writers in North and South Carolina
* Submissions are not limited to any specific topic or subject
* Writers may send in up to three entries
* Entries should be between 2,000 - 4,000 words
* $15 per entry (checks only, made to Creative Loafing)
* The deadline for entries is February 9
* The contest will be judged by award-winning author Frye Gaillard
* The winner will receive $300 and will read the piece as part of the CPCC Literary Festival in March
* Submissions should be typed or printed on 8 1/2 x 11 white paper, double-spaced (no diskettes or emails, please)
* Employees of Creative Loafing and their families, as well as paid staff members of the CPCC Spring Literary Festival and their families, are not eligible.
* Send entries, along with entry fee, to CL Creative Non-Fiction Contest, P.O. Box 241988, Charlotte, NC 28224, or bring them in to our office at 6112 Old Pineville Road.