NCLR’s New Online Submission Process Put to the Test

Last fall the North Carolina Literary Review began taking submissions electronically, and the new process was put to the test in January, as submissions for the annual Doris Betts Fiction Prize began pouring in.

Despite a few minor glitches with the new submission process, 80 writers submitted short stories to the competition. This is the second highest number of submissions since NCLR began handling this competition for the North Carolina Writers Network in 2004. The NCLR editors appreciate the willingness of these writers to make the transition, even when it meant sending emails or making “distress” telephone calls.

“We thought we would work out the kinks in the new system before the Betts submissions would start coming in,” said NCLR editor Margaret Bauer, “But it takes this kind of trial by fire to notice problem areas, and we are now working on adjustments that will make the system even more user friendly.”

The winner of the 2010 Doris Betts Fiction Prize will be selected by NCLR’s Fiction Editor, Liza Wieland, author of six books of fiction.

The Prize-winning story will be announced on April 1. The winning story and select finalists will be published in the 2011 issue of the North Carolina Literary Review.

More information about NCLR

Betts prize eligibility and submission guidelines