Cat & Mouse Press Contest -July 1, 2014.

Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest


The goal of the Rehoboth Beach Reads contest is to showcase regional writers while creating a great book for summer reading. One of the most popular activities for residents and visitors is reading on the beach, and the contest seeks to collect the kinds of short, engaging stories that help readers relax, escape, and enjoy their time at the beach.



Each story must incorporate the chosen theme and also have a strong connection to Rehoboth Beach (writers do not have to live in Rehoboth). A panel of judges select the best entries, which are published in a professionally designed paperback book.


2014 Contest

Theme: The Boardwalk

$10 Fee for story titled:




The contest will close at midnight, July 1, 2014. Please read guidelinesbefore entering.Email submissions to nancy@catandmousepress.com. Fee is $10/entry and can be paid by check to Cat & Mouse Press or via PayPal .

Cat & Mouse Press

18508 Belle Grove Rd. #5
Lewes, DE 19958


$500 First Prize


Sponsored by Browseabout Books, Rehoboth


Winning entries from the 2013 Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest were published in The Beach House.

The Judges
Contest FAQ
Contest Guidelines
Submit Entry    Contest Guidelines


1. Submission must fit the theme “The Boardwalk.”


2. Submission may be fiction or nonfiction, but must be plausible as a “beach read” (engaging, entertaining, and/or humorous).


3. No poetry, erotica, children’s literature, or religious material.


4. All work must be original, unpublished, and free from libelous material (a signed release will be required).


5. Length must be 500–3,500 words.


6. Work must be submitted electronically, preferably in Microsoft Word.


7. Work should be publication-ready (in final form and free from grammatical, spelling, and structural mistakes).


8. Writers retain copyright but must grant first publication rights if their work is selected.


9. There is no guarantee of publication.


10. Limit of three entries per person.


11. Publisher reserves right to edit for grammar and spelling; writers will be given an opportunity to review changes before publication.


12. No entries will be accepted after the deadline: the close of day (midnight), July 1, 2014.


13. Each entry must be accompanied by a $10 fee.


14. Writers do not have to reside in Rehoboth, but the written piece must include a substantive connection to the area.


15. Work will be judged on creativity, quality of writing, suitability as a beach read, and fit with the theme.