Greetings. I am a professional editor (and sometimes teacher) who has been involved in newspapers, magazines and creative writing since 1983, and I am sponsoring my first science-fiction writing contest at my Web site. The Future Visions competition is open to all writers. There is an entry fee of $5 and a first-place cash prize of $30. First-, second- and third-place entries will win free written critiques of their works. (If I can line up sponsors, other prizes may be added.) The setting for entries is the near future (no more than 100 years from now); the topics are wide open. (I only ask authors to refrain from rude language, graphic violence and overt sexual situations, as my site is intended for a general audience.) Any style of writing, from comedic to dramatic, is welcome. Entries should be between 2,000 and 4,000 words and will be judged on originality, writing technique, character development and appropriateness to the near-future theme. The deadline is April 30, 2003. This contest will soon be advertised to schools and writers groups throughout the Western U.S., as well as on the Web. I am hoping to draw some international interest and make this an annual event. If you are interested, please go to my Web site at http://www.geocities.com/tadcronn/ and click on the "Contest rules" link for complete information on entering. Thank you for your time, and good luck to all the entrants. Tad Cronn (aka mechmorph)