Dylan Days calls for 2011 writing contest entries

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HIBBING, Minn. – Dylan Days of Hibbing, Minnesota, announces its 2011 B.J. Rolfzen Memorial writing contest for poetry and short fiction. All fiction will be judged in one category; poetry will be judged in a student division and an open division for all other poets. The one act playwright competition staged for the past three years is being suspended until further notice.

Winners of the contest will be published in the "Talkin' Blues" journal and official Dylan Days program and receive copies of the publication. First place winners will have their names recorded on a plaque in Bob Dylan's hometown high school for all time and be invited to participate in a reading at Dylan Days on May 28, 2011.

"We're again calling for creative, up-and-coming writers in a contest that has absorbed the upper Midwestern culture that also produced Bob Dylan," said Aaron Brown, contest coordinator and Dylan Days spokesman. Brown, an award-winning author, college instructor and radio commentator, will head a panel of judges that will sort and select the entries.

You don't have to write like Bob Dylan, talk about Bob Dylan or pretend to be something you're not," said Brown. "We're looking for great stories and language in all styles, an approach we hope would meet Bob's approval."

All entries for fiction and poetry must be electronically submitted following the guidelines specified at DylanDays.com (click on “Writers). If you have questions contact info@dylandays.com or call Aaron Brown at 218-262-7213.

Dylan Days is an arts and culture event held May 26-29 in the Minnesota Iron Range town of Hibbing, where Bob Dylan and thousands of others grew up under the influence of immigrant music, hard times and good people. The event includes the popular singer/songwriter contest, art contests, live music and Dylan history events. Find out more at www.dylandays.com.

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