It happens to every mom eventually. You're desperate. In a hurry. Frazzled and sleep deprived and pushed to the limit. So you do something stupid. Something that--when you mention it to other moms--prompts them to confess the dumb things they've done.
And now those dumb things might not only win up to $250, but publishing credits as well.
Unlike most writing contests, we're more interested in content than style. You don't have to be a great writer in order to win or be published–it's the story we're after. The funnier, the better. There's no minimum or maximum word count, and entries aren't restricted to just the dumb things moms occasionally do. We're also looking for anecdotes, funny observations, clever or silly tips, mealtime madness, or stories poking fun at Super Mom or Oblivious Dad. If your frazzled parent story doesn't fit any of those categories, send it anyway and let us decide. All work must be original. There is no fee to enter. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2007. First place winner receives $250; second place receives $125; third place, $75.
Contest winners, along with those whose stories are chosen for publication, will be notified of acceptance and will receive a copy of the publication. Contest entry constitutes permission for entry to be published. Contest holder reserves the right to extend the deadline or cancel the contest should there be a lack of qualified entries.
We accept both snail-mailed and emailed submissions. Emailed submissions should be sent to funnymother@evergreensyndicate.com in MS Word or WordPerfect attachments, or pasted into the body of the email, with the words "FUNNY MOTHER" in the subject line. We accept simultaneous submissions and reprints (state where and when the story originally appeared), and we accept both snail-mailed and emailed submissions. Snail-mailed submissions can be jotted on napkins, placemats or diapers (so long as they're clean). They should be sent to FUNNY MOTHER, c/o Evergreen Syndicate, P.O. Box 958, Poca, WV 25159.
If you wish to remain anonymous should your story be published, please be sure to say so IN ALL CAPS at the top of your submission. Also, please be sure to include your name, address, email and phone number on your submission. We can't return submissions, so please don't send your only copy.
RIGHTS: One time, non-exclusive rights. Reprint rights. All stories submitted are subject to professional editing for content, timing and length. We reserve full editorial rights, including possible title changes (where applicable).