One of the few independent bookstores left in the country, The York Emporium, located in York, Pa. not far from where I am, is sponsoring a science fiction writing contest. The owner, Jim Lewin, has asked me to help him get the word out.

The title of all stories, plays, and poems entered in the contest should be “No Visitors Beyond This Point”. Anyone may enter, including residents of the planet Zolon and beyond, though Lewin and other organizers expect most of the entries to come from inhabitants of Earth (I swear I didn’t make that up). OK, in the interest of full disclosure, I didn’t make up the planet Zolon.

This is the second year for the contest. The deadline is October 15, 2009.

All entries should be original stories, poems, or one-act plays. Judging will be made by a group of professional science fiction authors. Winners and finalists will be published in an anthology. To get the rules for the contest, visit The York Emporium’s website at www.theyorkemporium.com.