In January, Scuppernong Books (the bookstore) and Scuppernong Editions (the press) will join forces for a year-long program to showcase writers in all genres under 25 in Guilford County.

We’re calling it Write Now Guilford. The goal is to highlight young talent in the Guilford County community.

Read about our first round of wnners here.

Young writers are the least represented among members in the state's literary arts organizations. Writers under 25 are in an odd category: many are no longer in high school, perhaps in an undergraduate degree program, and often in the formative years of finding their voice. We recognize, too, this demographic is America's most diverse ever; one that has witnessed a pandemic and heightened political and cultural change. For these reasons, we want to elevate Guilford County's emerging voices. They are future writers narrating their lives right now.

Here’s how it works:

We’ll choose 6 writers, one a month, for each six-month period. We’ll invite the chosen authors to Scuppernong Books to record them reading/performing their piece, and for a short interview. We’ll edit the video and post on both Scuppernong Books and Scuppernong Editions websites, as well as social media. It will appear on our websites as well. The video will be shareable across social media platforms. A print edition of the work will be displayed in our store window. A $50 honorarium is awarded for each work chosen.

At the end of the six-month period, Scuppernong Books will host a reading for the six writers which will be open to the public.

Here are the criteria for entry:

You must be 25 or under.

You must live in Guilford County.

If you’re under 18, you must have a release signed by a parent or guardian.

Your original, unpublished piece must be under 5 minutes when read or performed.

Any topic is allowed. Any word-based form.

NSFW language is OK, but it could limit the shareability of your piece.

You may submit one entry per six-month period

Submit your best work.

One 3-5 minute video of you reading/performing a single piece.

It doesn’t need to be a professional video. Ask a friend to record it on your phone, or make a selfie.

Entries can be short fiction, poetry, or performance.

Fill out the submission form here

then email your video to: scuppernongeditions@gmail.com