Novel approach

More than a few WORLD subscribers - particularly those with an artistic bent - appreciated Gene Edward Veith's cover story about bringing a Christian worldview to the craft of art ("What is art?" March 20, 2004) but many were left asking, "What can we do next?"

WORLD took that criticism to heart in planning this summer's special book issue. The focus would be on the need to reform "Christian fiction," but for those called to be reformers, WORLD - together with WestBow Press - offers its first WORLDview Fiction Contest.

Budding, unpublished writers are invited by Aug. 31, 2004, to submit self-contained short stories - no more than 1,500 words - for review by WestBow and WORLD. All the contest rules and details are available on WORLD's website, www.worldmag.com. Selected entries will be posted on the contest website throughout September. Entrants cannot be under contract with any publisher for any piece of work throughout the contest, must be 18 years of age or older, and a U.S. citizen. One entry per person.

Top 10 entrants will be notified by Sept. 30, 2004, and their entries may be posted on the contest website. The top 10 will continue to a second round of judging by an independent panel of authors such as Bret Lott, Ted Dekker, Angela Hunt, Lauren Winner, and Janie B. Cheaney. Each of the top 10 finalists will receive a WestBow library valued at $100 and a free year's subscription to WORLD.

The winner will be announced on Nov. 1, 2004. The winning entry may be published in WORLD and the author will receive a trip to WestBow Press in Nashville, Tenn., to learn more about the publishing process and be considered for a publishing contract.