call for entries: Ariel Sharon Short Story Contest

onzik special project: Send us stories that focus on, are inspired by, or related to Ariel Sharon. Judges: Michele Serros, Benjamin Hollander and Andrew Wilson. First prize 50 O (Euro), all entries judged worthy will be published on oznik.com oznik.com 31 May 2004

Update 21 Jul. 2004: Story and Song entries in Hebrew This contest, annoucned in English, has reaped some entries in Hebrew. Hebrew readers are invited to read (and listen) to these entries, and perhaps help translate them so they can fully participate in the contest:

* “Ariel” - A song by Eran Reiss, lyrics and mp3 download * “An Unusual Story” - by Shlomi Garber * “Conquer: Ariel Sharon” - by Doron Cohen

Announcement: oznik is proud to announce the first ever (as far as we are aware) Ariel Sharon Short Story Contest, and to invite writers to contribute stories that focus on, are inspired by, or related to Ariel Sharon. All entries will be read, and the best would be published online on oznik.com (who knows, perhaps something in print will come out of this too…), with a copyright notice in the author’s name. The writer of the winning story will receive (50 EMU Euro, worth about US$ 61 as of May 31), writers of the top three stories will be awarded an election T-shirt, a poster, and cards, courtesy of MoversNeeded.com. Entry deadline: 15 August 2004. The results will be published in September. Art contributions to accompany the presentation of the stories are also welcome, as well as banner proposals to promote the contest on this site and others. Art contributors whose work would be used will also be awarded MoversNeeded.com products. Scroll to the bottom of the page for Art Guidelines. Story entry guidelines:

* Electronic entries only (see below), no file attachments. * Deadline: 15 Aug 2004. * Max. length 2,000 words.

About the judges:

Michele Serros is a poet, writer of fiction, and a commentator for National Public Radio. Her first book, Chicana Falsa and other stories of Death, Identity and Oxnard, has become required reading in high schools and universities across the US. Her second work of fiction, How to be a Chicana Role Model, was published in July 2000, and instantly reached the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. Newsweek named her “one of the top young women to watch for in the new century.” Currently living in New York City, Ms. Serros is writing a young adult novel tentatively titled, Notes for a Medium Brown Girl and continues to speak at high schools, correctional facilities and universities around the country.

Benjamin Hollander’s recent book, Rituals of Truce and the Other Israeli was published by Parrhesia Press. He was born in Israel and emigrated to New York City in 1958, at the age of six. He has lived in San Francisco since 1978. A poet and essayist, scholar and teacher, his books include Vigilance (Beyond Baroque, 2004), Levinas and the Police, Part 1 (Chax Press, 2001), The Book Of Who Are Was (Sun & Moon, 1997), How to Read, too (Leech Books, 1992), and, as editor, Translating Tradition: Paul Celan in France (ACTS, 1988).

Andrew L. Wilson holds a G.E.D. from Memphis Adult Education Center, a B.A. in English literature from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in English literature from Boston College. He attended the Boston University Creative Writing Program and the 3rd Annual Zoetrope Short Story Writer’s Workshop, and has since taught creative writing at the elementary school and college levels. He has worked as a busboy, dishwasher, waiter, cook, bartender, dogwalker, lottery ticket seller, consigliere, art mover and installer, house repairs contractor, bookstore clerk, office temp, book appraiser, office manager, teacher, proofreader, manuscript consultant, writer, journalist, and editor. His fiction, essays and poetry have appeared in small literary magazines in the United States, Europe, and Japan, most recently in Rosebud, where his story shares a cover billing with Stephen King. Last year he was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His interview with poet Derek Walcott appears in the Bedford/St. Martin’s anthology Stages of Drama. A story of his recently appeared in The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica 2, and was singled out for praise in press reviews.