The Goats

This is it, folks. The time has come. Gangrey.com is sponsoring a new kind of writing contest.

We're calling it The Goats. For each winner, we will donate a goat to feed a hungry child.

We are seeking the finest newspaper work from the calendar year 2007. We will not classify these stories by publication size or subject matter. We will have just three categories: Short (under 700 words), Medium (700 to 2,000 words), and Long (over 2,000 words.)

As Ben wrote in a previous post: "We're going to ask for your brightest stuff, the stories you bled, the ones that kept you up and made your heart beat heavy in your ears. The ones your editor didn't get. The gray stories that felt like they didn't belong and wouldn't win traditional newspaper contests."

Here's how to enter.

1. E-mail your story to goatawards@gmail.com. If possible, send both the text of the story in the body of the e-mail and a URL link to where the story appears on the Web. We understand that writers for smaller publications may be unable to send a link. In the subject line of your e-mail, write SHORT, MEDIUM, or LONG, depending on the story.

2. Fill an envelope with a Web printout of your story, or a photocopy on standard letter paper, and a $10 check made payable to The Goats. This is your entry fee to help cover the cost of the goats. Mail this envelope to :

The Goats c/o T. Lake 1460 Seagull Drive, Apt. 204 Palm Harbor, FL 34685

Entries must be postmarked by February 5.

After that, some really good writers and editors from around the country will do the judging. Above all, they will look for truth. Winners will be announced April 1, if not sooner.

Feel free to print this out and post it on your newsroom's bulletin board.

May the three finest stories win.