As part of the 15th Annual Bethesda Literary Festival, the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. (BUP) invites local writers to enter the Essay & Short Story Contest for a chance to win $500 and be published in Bethesda Magazine. The Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. and Bethesda Magazine have partnered to welcome adults (ages 18 and over) and high school students to write a 500-word essay and/or a 4,000-word short story about any topic, for the Essay & Short Story Contest.

The first place winners in each category will be awarded $500, and be published Bethesda Magazine; second place winners are honored with $250; third place winners will receive $150; and honorable mentions will be awarded $75 each. The first place winners will also receive a gift certificate to The Writer’s Center.

High School winners receive: $250, first place; $100, second place; $50, third place. Bethesda Magazine will print the first place Essay & Short Story.

All winners’ essays and short stories will be published on the Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Urban Partnership’s websites and will be honored at a special event during the Bethesda Literary Festival.

Entries for the Essay & Short Story Contest must be received by Friday, January 23, 2015. For entry requirements and eligibility, please call 301/215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.

The 15th annual Bethesda Literary Festival will also showcase novelists, journalists, poets and children’s authors throughout downtown Bethesda’s bookstores, arts organizations and community centers. For more information, please call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.