Every entry must begin with the phrase above, then the openings of the following 25 sentences will work through the letters to Z, then A to D.For complying with the rules, check you have used all 26 letters as sentence openers. Giving too few or too many sentences will disqualify your story. Hints for your narrative : avoid racist, sexist, or ageist themes or obscene language. In judging the entries, the judge  chooses three winners and up to three honourable mentions, all of whose authors receive a year’s subscription to The Leaf. Giving a reward to the best stories, half the entry fees are divided among the three winners, and all stories recognized are published in the spring issue of The Leaf.

 

Rules: Only entries which conform to the rules will be judged.

 

1. Contest is open to any writer. Entrants under the age of 18 must have a parent or responsible adult sign their entry form.

 

2. Stories entered must be original, unpublished work created by the entrant, not previously entered in this contest.

 

3. Stories may not be longer than 26 sentences. Any subject or theme is acceptable, provided there is no profanity, obscenity, ageism, racism or sexism.

 

4. Entries must be typed or computer-printed on one side only of 8.5 x 11 white paper. Please use a plain font, and do not add any graphics or other embellishments.

 

5. Send TWO copies of each story, with the entry form attached to one copy. The writer’s name must NOT appear on the pages of the story.

 

6. Entry fee is $5.00 for each story. Cheques or money orders are the safest way to send fees through the mail. Please make them payable to The Brucedale Press. NOTE – If you are also subscribing to The Leaf, you may e-transfer for your payment to info@brucedalepress.ca.

 

7. Entries must be received by postal mail only no later than January 31, 2026. The Brucedale Press accepts no responsibility for entries lost or delayed in the mail. No entries will be returned unless a self-addressed envelope with proper Canadian postage (or IRC) is provided by the entrant.

 

8. Winners will be announced and published in the spring 2026 issue of The Leaf. Copyright remains with the creators. Prizes will be mailed to the addresses on winners’ entry forms. Prizes may be withheld if, in the opinion of the judge, not enough suitable entries are received. During the judging process, the judge will not know who the writers are. The judge’s decisions are final.

 

First prize Twenty-five per cent of the entry fees. Second prize Fifteen per cent of the entry fees. Third prize Ten per cent of the entry fees. The judge may award up to three honourable mentions.

 

Authors of all published stories will receive a one-year subscription [two issues] to The Leaf.

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————————————————entry form————————————————-

 

I have read the rules of The Brucedale Press Acrostic Story Contest and agree to be bound by them.

 

Name ……………………………………………………………………… phone ………………………………..

 

Address …………………………………………………………..……………… e-mail ………………………………………..

 

I confirm that I am the creator of the entry/ies, and that no entry is previously published or submitted to this contest.

 

I wish to subscribe to The Leaf at entrant’s price of $10.00/year [two issues]   ………………

 

Entry/subscription paid by cheque ……  money order …….  Payable to The Brucedale Press

 

For entry plus subscription, entrants may e-transfer their payment to info@brucedalepress.ca

 

Signature

(Signature of parent or responsible adult if entrant is under 18 years of age)