The Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine teamed up to celebrate local writers at the Bethesda Literary Festival.

Adult & Young Adult Essay Topic: 
What is your approach to life? Reveal your personal philosophy.
Adult Short Story Topic: Open topic
Youth Essay Topic: If you had a day all for yourself and could do whatever you wanted, what would you do?

Awards
First Place: $500 and published short story & essay in Bethesda Magazine Second Place: $250 Third Place: $150 Honorable Mention: $75 The first place winners will also receive a gift certificate to The Writers Center. Each second, third and honorable mention essay and short story will be published on the Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Urban Partnership Web Sites. Up to 10 finalists in each category will be honored during the Bethesda Literary Festival.

Young Adult Awards Young Adult winners recieve: $25, first place; $100 for second place; $50 for third place. Bethesda Magazine will print the first place essay and short story.