Students invited to submit works for NE competition
by Crystal Cook, Reporter

   The annual Under the Clock Tower Writing Competition offers incentives for students to share their creativity.
Winners will receive prize money ($25-$100), publication in Under the Clock Tower, the NE Campus literary journal, and recognition at a fall reception.
   The deadline for the competition is Monday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m.
   This contest is sponsored by the NE Campus English department.
   Cuyler Etheredge, NE assistant professor of English, will coordinate the annual writing contest. Etheredge believes this competition should encourage writing outside of the classroom.
   “Most people find that the joy of writing is in self-expression,” she said.
   A panel of judges from the NE Campus English department will make the selections, and every participant will receive a letter by the end of the semester.
   “It’s easy to put writing off … this contest is an outlet for writing with an audience,” she said.
   This contest, according to Etheredge, is usually the first step for a writing career and is a nice place to begin publishing.
   There are several eligible writers on NE Campus as 54 poets participated in the Poetry Jam held on campus Oct. 14, Etheredge said.
   Etheredge said the contest brings forth aspiring writers such as John Pinoy, whose first piece of literature was read during the Under the Clock Tower competition.
   At 78, Pinoy was a returning creative writing student on NE Campus.
   He has since published several articles in military journals about his experiences during World War II, Etheredge said.
  Another currently well-known playwright who originated from among the NE contestants is James Duff, who has written the screenplay for a film based on his play The Home Front, Etheredge said.
  Other examples of current writers who received their start from this contest include Rebecca Balcarcel, who currently gives creative writing workshops statewide; Kelly Holt, a graduate of the creative writing program at the University of Houston, rated second in the nation; and Rebecca Hurst, who won a full scholarship to the Bread Loaf’s Creative Writing Program in Vermont, Etheredge said.
  “This competition and publication in the journal is the first step for people to contribute to writing and to make a name for themselves as writers,” she said.
   Entry forms can be picked up from the academic learning center in NACB 109, the English department office in NFAC 336 or from any English instructor. Students can also contact Etheredge at 817-515-6539 for further details.