High school juniors invited to compete

AUGUSTA — Maine high school juniors are invited to submit entries for A Journey Into Writing, the Maine Community College System’s statewide writing contest. Entries will be accepted December 1 through January 23, 2011.

Joining Wesley McNair this year as judges are award-winning Maine authors Lewis Robinson and Susan Kenney. Lewis is the author of two novels and is currently the writer-in-residence at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. Kenney is the author of five novels and taught fiction for 25 years at Colby College. McNair, a poet, has authored or edited 18 books, including poetry, nonfiction, and five anthologies of Maine writing.

A Journey Into Writing was created in 2004 as a way to encourage creativity and inspire young writers to develop their craft. The contest is sponsored by the MCCS with support from U.S. Cellular.

Maine high school juniors are encouraged to submit an original poem, short story, or essay of up to 1,500 words. Up to three winners may be chosen by the participating authors. If selected, winning entrants will be honored with the designation of “2011 Governor’s Young Writer of the Year” and receive a $2,500 cash award.

To enter, students must submit their entries electronically to the MCCS website. The contest rules and entry form are available on-line at www.mccs.me.edu (click on: A Journey Into Writing).