Fall Into Fiction Guidelines

When is the Contest: September 1 – 30, 2025.  
 
Submission Deadline: Entries and registration forms must be received by 11:59:59PM on September 30, 2025.
 
How to Enter:
 
  • Online: Complete the registration and submission form online 
  • In Person: Submit your story and complete a paper entry form at any SJPL location 
  • Doublecheck Your Entry: Please ensure all names, poem title, and contact info are accurate.
  • Limit 1 Entry:  Only one submission/entry per person/contestant.
Who Can Enter:
 
  • All Ages: Open to writers of all ages. Submissions will be categorized into 4 different age groups: 0-9, 10-12, 13-17, 18+.
  • Amateur Authors Only: Contest is limited to amateur authors only.
  • No SJPL Staff in General Public Contest: San José Public Library staff may not enter submissions for the General Public contest. Library staff may enter into the staff-only contest.
Content Requirements:
 
  • Original Work Only: Submitted work must be a fully original work. Entries must not have been previously published, self-published, published on a website or made public on social media, broadcast, or featured among the winners in another competition.
  • Located in California: This contest is only open to California Residents
  • No AI: Submissions created with artificial intelligence (AI) will not be considered.
  • World Languages Accepted: Authors may submit entries in languages other than English but must also provide an English translation. Judges will score the entry based on the English translation. 
  • Audience Level: Submitted work must be for general audiences. We will not accept entries with explicit language or mature content. 
  • Length Limit: 8,000 characters max, including spaces, punctuation, and special characters.
  • Proofread: Check for spelling or grammar errors.
  • Format: Text only. Images or drawings will not be considered.
How Scoring Works:
 
All submissions will be judged according to the following rubric and scoring criteria. The judges read all the entries; their decision is final. Neither the judges nor San José Public Library staff will enter into any correspondence regarding appealing scores.  
 
Contest Prizes and Winners
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd: Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners for each age category. Judges may award 1 honorable mention per age category. Winners will be notified in November.  
  • Gift Cards: Any cash prizes will be awarded as gift cards. 
  • Winner Notification & Announcements:    
  • Where to Pick Up Prizes: Prizes will be available for pickup at the winner’s preferred SJPL location.   
Publication
  • Publishing Winners: Winning entries and selected works will be published in San José Public Library’s online collection in Short Edition and BiblioBoard.
  • Reproduction & Reuse: San José Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest.  

Related Page: Fall into Fiction