City of Edmonds - Washington

Write on the Sound features a writing contest for registered conference attendees, based on a theme. First and Second Place cash awards are given in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry. Honorable Mention awards are given at the discretion of the judges and do not come with cash remuneration. 

Special Award in celebration of wots 40th anniversary

In addition to the cash award, the First Place winner in each category will have their contest submission featured in a future edition of DOES IT HAVE POCKETS, a critically acclaimed online literary magazine with a bent toward difficult-to-classify poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, memoir & visual art. Go to the website to read the selected entries: https://www.doesithavepockets.com/features/2025wots

2025 Contest Theme: "time"

In celebration of WOTS 40^th anniversary this year, the writing  theme is “time”. Time can be expressed in various ways, from specific moments to broader periods, as well as sequenced events, as in "first, next, then," or to indicate duration, such as "a few hours".

>> 2025 Booklet of Winning Contest Entries <<

elegibility / terms and conditions

• Entrants must be a registered attendee of the current year conference.
• Conference presenters, committee, and persons affiliated with Edmonds Arts Commission are not eligible for participation.
• The City of Edmonds is granted a one-time right to reproduce winning entries for educational purposes.
• A social security number is required by the City of Edmonds for every cash award recipient in order to process payment.   
• Submission deadline is (tba for 2026)

• Download guidelines and instructions: 2025 Writing Contest

adjudication

• Winners are selected by independent judges. Judging is anonymous. Notes are not provided.
• Entries are adjudicated primarily on the quality of the writing. The theme may be addressed directly or indirectly.
• Entries must meet all the requirements. Entries that do not meet all the requirements may be disqualified.
• First place awards are $100 and Second place awards are $75. Honorable Mention may be awarded at the judges’ discretion but does not come with remuneration.

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The Writing Contest awards are generously sponsored by Krause & Thorpe/RBC Wealth Management