Suppose novelist Ernest Hemingway arrived at the Oregon coast and wanted to write about his experience in a maximum of 600 words. What would he write?
This year’s Writers Read Celebration, sponsored by the Cannon Beach Library, asks that question with the theme, “Hemingway at the beach: What Would He Say?”
Writers of all ages from all areas are invited to consider how or what Hemingway would say while at the beach. All written formats will be considered (essay, story, poetry, haiku, script, etc.) Authors are limited to three
entries with a 600-word maximum per entry. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 20.
A panel of volunteer judges will select 10 to 12 works to be read by their authors either in person or online during the celebration March 10 in the library.
Hemingway wrote about his experiences using as few words as possible, and his novels and short stories have become classics. The Writers Read Celebration offers an opportunity to have fun with this writing style in any form; the piece can be serious, whimsical, tongue-in-cheek or thoughtful.
Submissions will be accepted by email (
info@cannonbeachlibrary.org) or by mail (P.O. Box 486
Cannon Beach, OR 97110), though email is preferred.
Submissions should be in Word or PDF format and include a cover letter with the writer’s name, email
and phone number. Please do not include the author’s name or contact information on the entry
document so authors remain anonymous during the judging process.
The NW Authors Series Committee sponsors monthly author presentations and other events at the
Cannon Beach Library. This is the fifth year of the Writers Read Celebration. Previous themes were:
“Life on the North Coast,” “The View from the North Coast,” “Pandemic” and “Recovery?.” Writers Read Celebrations on Zoom from 2022 and 2021 are available for viewing on Cannon Beach Library’s website.
