( Added: December 24, 2011 )  - Writers aged thirteen to ninety-nine from all countries are encouraged to enter the new East India Press Short Story Writing Contest. It is now open for submissions and ends March 1, 2012. There is no entry fee, and they accept fiction in any genre. The contest is sponsored by East India Press, specializing in publishing of books in multiple formats. New York Times Bestselling Author David Farland, with over fifty published novels, will be the first judge.

In addition to the cash prize, the winning story will also be published as the opening story in the new enhanced novel "Nightingale" by David Farland. The winner is further guaranteed serious consideration for a novel contract with East India Press. East India Press is known for publishing most novels in three formats, to match the tastes of virtually all readers.

The contest's co-sponsor and first judge, David Farland, will personally edit the winning manuscript to prepare it for publishing and give the winning author valuable insights on preparing a story for market.

Farland is known for his work on "Star Wars," "The Mummy," and he's even had input on the upcoming film "John Carter and the Princess of Mars," as well as given JK Rowling's publisher input on whether to push "Harry Potter." Farland has had his fingers in the pies of many top books and movies, including video games such as the international #1 best seller "Brood Wars." His current release is "Nightingale," and the last book in bestselling "Runelords" series called "A Tale of Tales" is about to debut.

Farland started off as a prize writer himself, winning the Writers of the Future contest and the ensuing novel went on to win the Philip K. Dick Memorial Special Award for "Best Novel in the English Language.” He is still winning awards. Last year he won the Whitney Award for Best Novel of the Year."

All this tells that Farland will be an excellent mentor and the chance of a lifetime for the contest winner. He is the perfect person to help the contest winner get a start in writing.

Though the story can be in any genre, David Farland has offered contest entrants the option of writing a story using the setting of his new book "Nightingale," because the story will be published in the front of the book. This will allow the winner to piggyback on Farland's success. As Farland is fond of saying, "Nobody makes it alone. We all help each other succeed."

More information about the East India Short Story Writing Contest can be found at http://nightingalenovel.com/contest.html.