First Amendment Writes 2009

Best-selling author Rita Mae Brown will be among the judges in the fourth annual First Amendment Writes, a poetry and songwriting contest organized by the Music Resource Center and the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, and WNCR 106.1 FM “The Corner.”  First Amendment Writes is billed as “a celebration of the creative heights that only can be achieved when artists are free to express themselves on any theme, subject or idea.”  In addition  to competing for a cash prize of $500, ten finalists in both the songwriting and poetry categories will have the opportunity to meet anbd hear directly from Ms. Brown and the other judges when they read and perform their works at the competition’s closing event November 12 at The Southern (formerly Gravity Lounge). Other judges will be announced in the coming weeks.

Contestants in First Amendment Writes may express any theme in their entries.  Contests may enter either the poetry or songwriting contest, but not both, and may submit only one poem or one song.  Each song or poem submitted must be the contestant’s original work.  The contest is open to poets and songwriters 16 of age and older but applicants under 18 must have parental permission prior to entering.  Prior winners of First Amendment Writes are not eligible.  Complete contest rules and entry forms can be bound on-line at www.tjcenter.org/writes.