50th Annual John Fox, Jr. Literary Festival

 40th Annual Lonesome Pine Short Story Contest

Sponsored by Lonesome Pine Arts and Crafts, Inc.

CONTEST RULES

• Stories will be accepted in three categories:

• Only one (1) short story submission per author is allowed. (Authors may submit one entry in the short story contest AND one entry in the poetry contest.  If you wish to enter both contests, your entries may be submitted together in one envelope, but they must be clearly marked.)

• Maximum length: 1,700 words.  Submissions must be typed and bound with paper clips (NO STAPLES!).  Entries must be submitted on 8½ x 11  Entries should be written in an easily legible typeface (such as Times New Roman, Arial, etc.).  Please avoid elaborate or cursive typefaces.  Font size should be at least 12 point and no larger than 14 point.

• Deadline for submission: 4:30 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2026.  Submissions must be postmarked or delivered to the MECC Foundation Offuce in Dalton Cantrell Hall by the deadline.  Late submissions will not be considered.

• Winners will be invited to accept their awards at the John Fox, Jr. Festival on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. at a link to be announced.

• A typed cover page must accompany the story. It should include:
  • Name (Your name should appear ONLY on the cover page and NOT on the story)
  • Complete Address
  • Daytime telephone number
  • Alternate telephone number (if available)
  • Title of the story (Should appear on cover page AND the first page of the story)
  • Number of words in the story
  • Contest Category (adult, high school, or middle school)
  • Name of school (if submitted in the high school or middle school category)

• DO NOT include any supplemental information with your entry (i.e. biographical data on the author, background information on the story, etc.). These items will NOT be read or considered by contest judges.

• DO NOT include your name anywhere on the entry, except for the cover page. Judging is anonymous, and all identifying information will be removed from the story prior to judging.

• Entries placing in the contest (first, second, third, or honorable mention) will be published on the Mountain Empire Community College website and in a booklet to be distributed to attendees at the John Fox, Jr. Festival. By entering the contest, an author consents to these methods of publication.

Lonesome Pine Poetry Contest

Attn: Megan Gibson

Mountain Empire Community College Foundation

3441 Mountain Empire Road

Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219

Contact: Megan Gibson at (276) 523-9078; e-mail: mgibson@mecc.edu

23rd Annual Lonesome Pine Poetry Contest

Sponsored by MECC Foundation Cultural & Humanities Committee

CONTEST RULES

• Poetry will be accepted in three categories:

• Only one (1) submission per poet is allowed. (Authors may submit one entry in the short story contest AND one entry in the poetry contest.  If you wish to enter both contests, your entries may be submitted together in one envelope, but they must be clearly marked.)

• Submissions must be typed and bound with paper clips (NO STAPLES!). Entries must be submitted on 8½ x 11  Entries should be written in an easily legible typeface (such as Times New Roman, Arial, etc.).  Please avoid elaborate or cursive typefaces.  Font size should be at least 12 point and no larger than 14 point.

• Deadline for submission: 4:30 p.m.,Monday, February 23, 2026.  Submissions must be postmarked or delivered to MECC Foundation Office by the deadline.  Late submissions will not be considered.

• Winners will be invited to accept their awards at the John Fox, Jr. Festival on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 10 a.m. at a link to be announced.

• A typed cover page must accompany your poem. It should include:
  • Name (Your name should appear ONLY on the cover page and NOT on the poem)
  • Complete Address
  • Daytime telephone number
  • Alternate telephone number (if available)
  • Title of the poem (Should appear on the cover page AND the first page of the poem)
  • Contest Category (adult, high school, or middle school)
  • Name of school (if submitted in the high school or middle school category)

• DO NOT include any supplemental information with your entry (i.e. biographical data on the author, background information on the poem, etc.). These items will NOT be read or considered by contest judges.

• DO NOT include your name anywhere on the entry, except for the cover page. Judging is anonymous, and all identifying information will be removed from the poem prior to judging.

• Entries placing in the contest (first, second, third, or honorable mention) will be published on the Mountain Empire Community College website and in a booklet to be distributed to attendees at the John Fox, Jr. Festival. By entering the contest, an author consents to these methods of publication. 

Lonesome Pine Poetry Contest

Attn: Megan Gibson

Mountain Empire Community College Foundation

3441 Mountain Empire Road

Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219

Contact:  Megan Gibson at (276) 523-9078; e-mail: mgibson@mecc.edu