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The University of Maine at Fort Kent's Presidential Lecture Series committee will host a writing contest entitled, Disasters. The committee is searching for submissions from UMFK students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members.

How have you been affected by disaster - natural, self-made, or simply a life circumstance? Those of us who live in the St. John Valley vividly remember the flood of 2008 and all of us can recall incidents or tell made-up stories where hearts sank because of a break-up (or make-up), accident, or an encounter with someone sinister.

In 600 words or less, write a first-person account - whether real or fictional, prose or poetry - of a disaster. Describe and bring out the intensity of the situation. Be sure to engage all of the senses to immerse the reader in the situation.

Anyone who has never won the UMFK writing contest may participate. To enter, simply send your original never-before-published prose or poetry. Send your final draft as a typed, double-spaced entry by 12 noon on Monday, April 1, 2012.

Please include a cover sheet with your contact information, including name, e-mail and phone number, along with a 100-word biography. E-mailed submissions must include “Disaster” as the subject heading. The contest limits one entry per person.

All submissions will be blind-reviewed by a jury. Three winning entries will be included in the 2012-2013 Presidential Lecture Series Potato Chips ChapBook, which will be released at the UMFK Scholars' Symposium on Friday, May 3, 2013. In addition, the best entry will be recognized with the Ourson Literary Award, an annual award of $50.

Winners of the contest will be announced on Monday, April 15, 2013. Send your entry to Diane Gagne by e-mail at diane.gagne@maine.edu

For more information on the contest, please contact Dr. Jenny Radsma at 834-7586 or by e-mail at: radsma@maine.edu