PORT ANGELES — If you write short stories, essays or poetry, or if you’re an artist, photographer or songwriter, think about wading into Tidepools.
The annual literary and art magazine published by Peninsula College is a showcase for writers, musicians and artists in Clallam and Jefferson counties — and the submission deadline is almost upon us: All submissions must be postmarked by Wednesday, Jan. 11.
In the contests for space in Tidepools, writers may enter poetry as well as short stories and essays under 3,000 words.
Photographers, musicians and other artists are also encouraged to enter their creations for consideration for this 48th edition of the magazine.
The entry fees are $5 per submission for adults and $2.50 per piece for youths age 6 to 17.
At the same time, writers and artists may submit work outside the contests. These entries will be considered for publication and require no entry fee.
Co-sponsored by the Peninsula Daily News and Peninsula College’s Associated Student Council, Tidepools showcases the contest-winning entries, plus other submissions the Tidepools staff selects.
Contest judges are “blind,” in that they do not see the entrants’ names, said Michael Mills, the Peninsula College professor who oversees magazine production.
Cash prizes to the winners in the adult and youth categories for poetry, prose, art, photography and music are $100 for first place in each adult category and $25 for each youth category.
Second- and third-place winners are guaranteed publication.
Winners of the Tidepools contests will be announced March 9.
250-300 copies
Then, 250 to 300 copies of the magazine will be released in June, and a public reading will take place at Peninsula College.
Local bookstores, including Odyssey Books and Port Book & News in downtown Port Angeles, will have Tidepools in stock by midsummer.
In the meantime, more details are available by phoning Mills at 360-417-7973.
This year, for the first time, submissions may be entered online at www.PenCol.edu/tidepools.
They may also be sent in via regular mail, but entrants must first pick up an entry form.
Those are available at locations across the North Olympic Peninsula.
In Port Angeles, they include the Peninsula Daily News, 305 W. First St.; the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.; the Peninsula College library and Bookaneer Bookstore, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.; Port Book & News, 104 E. First St.; Odyssey Books, 114 W. Front St.; Olympic Stationers, 122 E. Front St.; and the Caffeinated Clothier, 133 E. First St.
In Joyce, forms are at the Joyce General Store, 50883 state Highway 112.
In Sequim, they’re available at the Boys & Girls Club of the Olympic Peninsula, 400 W. Fir St.; Twice Loved Books, 353 W. Bell St.; Pacific Mist Books, 121 W. Washington St.; and at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
In Forks, forms can be found at the Peninsula College Extension site, 71 S. Forks Ave., and in Port Townsend, they’re at the Writers’ Workshoppe, 234 Taylor St.; Akamai Art Supply, 2328 W. Sims Way; Quimper Sound, 230 Taylor St.; and the Imprint Bookstore, 820 Water St.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
