DEADLINE NEARS FOR STORY ENTRIES.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE - The deadline is Dec. 6 to submit entries in the Palmdale Writers' Roundtable annual short story contest.

Writers can submit as many stories as they wish, with an entry fee of $10 per story. Checks should be made payable to the city of Palmdale.

Submissions must be double-spaced and typed on plain white 8 1/2-by-11 paper using 12-point (standard typewriter size) type. Stories should be no more than 3,000 words, or approximately 12 pages. Shorter stories will be accepted.

Each page should be numbered and marked with the author's name and the name of the story. The top left-hand corner of the first page should include the author's name, story name, address, phone number and e-mail address if available.

Participants should keep a copy of each story submitted, as originals will not be returned.

Stories do not need to be stapled or submitted in a folder; a simple paper clip is preferred. An accurate word count should be included.

Contestants can mail submissions to Palmdale Playhouse, Writers Roundtable Short Story Contest, 38334 10th St. E., Palmdale, CA 93550, or deliver them to the Playhouse box office at 38334 10th St. E., Palmdale.

Antelope Valley Mall gift certificates will be given to the first-, second- and third-place winners and each winner will be given a gift membership to the Writers' Roundtable program.

The winners will receive their awards and present their short stories during the Writers' Roundtable reception at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16.

The Palmdale Writers' Roundtable is open to writers of all genres, including fiction, journalism, children's stories, poetry and screenplays. Program members meet the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Palmdale Playhouse lobby.

For more information, contact the Palmdale Playhouse at [phone].