QUESTION: I have a piece that I would like to submit for
the contest but I have also submitted it for publication. If it is
accepted, it won't be published until late spring. Who/how does one make
the call on that as to the guidelines for the contest?
ANSWER: As long as the piece was not published before January 2, 2014, you're good to go. Even if it's accepted for publication, it won't be published until later in the year at the earliest, so you're still within the guidelines of the contest.