"March Fourth" and Submit!

We've extended our contest deadline! With the holidays in December and school starting again in January, February 12 came around too fast. So, to stop our heads from spinning, we've extended the deadline to March 4, 2010. (Oh, who are we kidding? We just wanted the opportunity to say "March Fourth and Submit.")

So if you're one of those people who's perpetually late for everything, there's hope for you yet. March fourth and submit! For guidelines, please visit our website.

PS -- Thank you very much to everyone who has already submitted. Your entries are already being processed and read. You make us proud.

Follow that contributor!

TNS #3 contributor, Steve Yarbrough, has just released his latest novel. Safe From The Neighbors, published by Knopf, has been described as a "novel of unusual richness and depth," a "tense, spellbinding narrative of marital betrayal written against a background of Deep South racial angst." Do yourself a favor and buy a copy. You won't be disappointed.

Congratulations, Steve!

Only two weeks left! $2000 in prizes!

Normal Prize in Fiction and Nonfiction
Deadline for Submissions: Feb. 12, 2010

Fiction Prize: $1000 & Publication
Nonfiction Prize: $1000 & Publication

Final Judges

Fiction: Margot Livesey
Nonfiction: David Shields

We're interested in everything from the mainstream to the avant-garde. Just send us your best!

GUIDELINES

1. All submissions must be no more than 10,087 words, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, with numbered pages and NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON MANUSCRIPT.
2. Entry fee: $20 per submission. Please make checks out to "The Normal School."
3. Manuscripts should be accompanied by a cover sheet with the following information: title, genre, word count, author's name, address, phone number and email address. Of this information, only the title should appear on the manuscript itself.
   
4. All submissions must be previously unpublished (print or electronic media).
5. Simultaneous submissions are permitted as long as you notify editors should your piece be accepted elsewhere. Multiple submissions are also permitted, but each submission must be accompanied by the entry fee.
6. Manuscripts will not be returned. Please do not send your only copy. If you want verification that we have received your manuscript, please send a self-addressed, stamped postcard.
7. Postmark submissions by FEBRUARY 12 and send to:

The Normal School
Normal Prize Contest - "Genre"
5245 N. Backer Ave
M/S PB 98
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA 93740

Please be sure to specify genre on envelope and cover sheet.
All entrants will receive a complimentary issue of The Normal School.
Winners will be announced before the Fall 2010 issue via email.
All entries will be considered for publication.

Judging: All submissions will be read "blind" in an effort to ensure the most ethical contest possible. In addition to abiding by the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses standards on ethical contests, The Normal School also specifically prohibits submissions from any current or recent students, staff, or faculty of California State University, Fresno. It also expressly prohibits submissions from family members of the outside judges.

If you have questions, please contact us at: normalprize@thenormalschool.com

Good luck!

Mr. Dinty goes Viral.

Hey Normals,

Our good friend, Dinty Moore and his google-maps essay from our current issue of The Normal School have gone viral. Check him out on Twitter. Search for "Dinty" and hear the buzzzzzzzz . . . Thanks, Dinty for letting us publish this piece. Be Normal. Subscribe. Submit.

Trust us. We're Normal.

Normal Prize. Submit your work now!

The First Annual Normal Prize in Fiction and Nonfiction
Deadline for Submissions: Feb. 12, 2010

Fiction Prize: $1000 & Publication
Nonfiction Prize: $1000 & Publication

Final Judges

Fiction: Margot Livesey
Nonfiction: David Shields

GUIDELINES

1. All submissions must be no more than 10,087 words, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, with numbered pages and NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON MANUSCRIPT.
2. Entry fee: $20 per submission. Checks MUST be made out to "The Normal School."
3. All submissions must include 2 cover sheets (PLEASE SEE #'s 4 and 5).
   
4. 1st cover sheet must include a) Title b) Genre c) Name of author d) 50 word biographical statement e) Mailing address f) Email address
5. 2nd cover sheet must include a) Title of Work b) Genre *NO OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION CAN APPEAR ON THIS COVER SHEET
6. All submissions must be previously unpublished (print or electronic media).
7. Simultaneous submissions ARE allowed as long as you notify editors should your piece be accepted elsewhere. Multiple submissions ARE allowed, but each submission must be accompanied by the entry fee.
8. Manuscripts will not be returned. Please do not send your only copy. If you want verification that we have received your manuscript, please send a self-addressed, stamped postcard.
9. All submissions MUST be addressed as follows:

The Normal School
Normal Prize Contest - "Genre"
5245 N. Backer Ave
M/S PB 98
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA 93740

All submissions must be postmarked between 12/1/2009 and 2/12/2010.
Please be sure to specify genre on envelope and cover sheet.
All entrants will receive a complimentary issue of The Normal School.
Winners will be announced before the Fall 2010 issue via email.
All entries will be considered for publication.

Checklist:

• Payment of $20 USD made out to The Normal School.
• Your manuscript (double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 10,087 words or fewer, and NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION).
• 2 cover sheets -- 1st with biography and address, 2nd with title and genre only.

Judging: All submissions will be read "blind" in an effort to ensure the most ethical contest possible. The final judge will not be sent the names of the finalists. Only their manuscripts, without identifying information, will be forwarded. The judge will then select 1 winner and 2-3 finalists in each genre. TNS will publish the contest winner and reserves the right to consider the finalists for publication as well.

In addition to abiding by the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses standards on ethical contests, The Normal School also specifically prohibits submissions from any current or recent students, staff, or faculty of California State University, Fresno. It also expressly prohibits submissions from family members of the outside judges.

If you have questions, please contact us at: normalprize@thenormalschool.com

Good luck!

Pushcart Nominations

Dear Friends,

The Normal School is happy to announce our nominees from 2009 for the Pushcart Prize:

Poetry:
"Chicago, 1988" by Beth Ann Fennelly
"Japanese Water Bomb," by Sandra Beasley

Fiction:
"The Accident," by Nick Arvin
"Assignment," by Rachel Cantor

Nonfiction:
"Where There Are No Doctors," by Jacqueline Lyons
"In Hickey's Havana," by Ben Miller

Please subscribe at www.thenormalschool.com or pick up a copy of TNS at your local bookstore (ask them to order it if they don't carry it) and read the pieces from Beasley, Miller, and Cantor. Our latest issue will be out in a few weeks!

Best Wishes,

Barry Normal

The Normal School Is Excited To Announce

The First Annual Normal Prize in Fiction and Nonfiction
Deadline for Submissions: Feb. 12, 2010

Fiction Prize: $1000 & Publication
Nonfiction Prize: $1000 & Publication

Final Judges

Fiction: Margot Livesey
Nonfiction: David Shields

GUIDELINES

1. All submissions must be no more than 10,087 words, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, with numbered pages and NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON MANUSCRIPT.
2. Entry fee: $20 per submission. Checks MUST be made out to "The Normal School."
3. All submissions must include 2 cover sheets (PLEASE SEE #'s 4 and 5).
   
4. 1st cover sheet must include a) Title b) Genre c) Name of author d) 50 word biographical statement e) Mailing address f) Email address
5. 2nd cover sheet must include a) Title of Work b) Genre *NO OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION CAN APPEAR ON THIS COVER SHEET
6. All submissions must be previously unpublished (print or electronic media).
7. Simultaneous submissions ARE allowed as long as you notify editors should your piece be accepted elsewhere. Multiple submissions ARE allowed, but each submission must be accompanied by the entry fee.
8. Manuscripts will not be returned. Please do not send your only copy. If you want verification that we have received your manuscript, please send a self-addressed, stamped postcard.
9. All submissions MUST be addressed as follows:

The Normal School
Normal Prize Contest - "Genre"
5245 N. Backer Ave
M/S PB 98
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA 93740

All submissions must be postmarked between 12/1/2009 and 2/12/2010.
Please be sure to specify genre on envelope and cover sheet.
All entrants will receive a complimentary issue of The Normal School.
Winners will be announced before the Fall 2010 issue via email.
All entries will be considered for publication.

Checklist:

• Payment of $20 USD made out to The Normal School.
• Your manuscript (double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 10,087 words or fewer, and NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION).
• 2 cover sheets -- 1st with biography and address, 2nd with title and genre only.

Judging: All submissions will be read "blind" in an effort to ensure the most ethical contest possible. The final judge will not be sent the names of the finalists. Only their manuscripts, without identifying information, will be forwarded. The judge will then select 1 winner and 2-3 finalists in each genre. TNS will publish the contest winner and reserves the right to consider the finalists for publication as well.

In addition to abiding by the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses standards on ethical contests, The Normal School also specifically prohibits submissions from any current or recent students, staff, or faculty of California State University, Fresno. It also expressly prohibits submissions from family members of the outside judges.

If you have questions, please contact us at: normalprize@thenormalschool.com

Good luck!