Finger Lakes Times Memoir Writing Contest Deadline March 15

Geneva Reads is asking the community to read the same book in March, and the Finger Lakes Times is inviting high schoolers and adults alike to take part in a memoir writing contest inspired by the effort.

“The Color of Water,” a memoir by James McBride, pays tribute to his mother and explores how issues of family, race, religion and culture have shaped his life and identity. With that in mind, the Times is looking for
local residents to tell their stories, drawing on one or more of the central themes in the book.

Essays should be no longer than 600 words and must be received by the Finger Lakes Times no later than Monday, March 15. They will be judged in two categories — adult and high school.

Submissions may be e-mailed to fltimes@fltimes.com (with “Memoir Contest” in the subject life) or mailed to 218 Genesee St., Geneva, 14456. Adults should include their name, age, address and telephone number. Students should note their grade, age and school.

The winners will be published in the Sunday, March 28, edition, with $100 prizes for first place in each category and $25 prizes for the runners-up.

You do not have to be a Geneva resident to enter ... but you do need to read the book!

(Among other locations, “The Color of Water” is available at the Geneva Public Library on Main Street, the Hobart and William Smith Colleges library on Pulteney Street, the College Bookstore on St. Clair Street, and Wegmans on Hamilton.