Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.  If you have a question that is not answered here or elsewhere on the website, please feel free to e-mail the contest administrators.  
Q:  Can I submit my entry online?
A:  Yes you can.  Online entries may be e-mailed to
fostercity_writers@yahoo.com Please submit entries in either .DOC, .PDF, .TXT or .RTF formats.  Be sure to include "Writer's Contest Entry--CATEGORY--" and your name in the subject line. 

Q:  Can I pay the entry fee by credit card?
A:  We regret that we are unable to handle credit card payments at this time. 

Q:  How do I submit my entry fee if I submitted an entry online?
A:  Entry fees must be submitted via "snail mail" to Foster City International Writer's Contest, c/o
Foster City Parks and Recreation Department, 650 Shell Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404 USA
Please note that your entry will not be processed until BOTH the entry fee and the submission are received by the contest administrators.

Q:  Why must my entry be original and previously unpublished?

A:  Author copyright and publisher rights will not be compromised by this contest. The author retains artistic rights on the entry and may submit it to other contests or for publication consideration. The City of Foster City DOES NOT take over as the copyright holder when a piece is submitted to the contest! 
Previously published works are explicitly restricted from being submitted for this contest.

Q:  Is there an age limit on who can enter?
A:   No, Anyone may enter the contest. 

Q:  Why must my entry be in English?
A:   To facilitate reading by the judges. The contest administrators do not have translators on the staff.

Q:  Will my entry be published anywhere or made public?
A:  No, we do not publish entries. We do so in order that the author may submit the same entry to other contests; many contests will not accept previously published entries.  Contest administrators will not offer pieces for the public to read.  If an interested party wished to read a particular entry, they will be provided with the author's contact information so that they may ask the author directly. 

Q:  I've heard something about a scholarship.  Are there scholarships available?
A:  The contest is not an academic competition and we do not provide scholarships.  Aspiring journalists are welcome to submit their work to compete for the prize, but there are no academic merit prizes awarded. 

Q:   Will I receive acknowledgement that my entry has been received?

A:  We regret that due to the high volume of entries we receive, we normally do not acknowledge receipt of individual entries.  Only winners will be notified.  However, if you would like to receive such acknowledgment, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your hard copy entry (or with the check if you are submitting online entries) and we will return it to you indicating the date the entry was received.

Q:  Can I receive my manuscript back?  What if I send an SASE?
A:   We regret that we are unable to return any submitted manuscripts, regardless of whether or not an SASE is provided.  You are strongly encouraged to make a copy of your entry prior to submitting it.
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Text copyright 2004 City of Foster City.  All rights reserved.  The CIty of Foster City and the Foster City Arts and Culture Committee reserve the right to modify the rules of this contest without further notice.