WENATCHEE — Writers, sharpen your pencils. The regional writing group, Write on the River, opened its fifth annual writers’ competion last week.

The competition calls for original works of 1,000 words or less in nonfiction or fiction. Writers must be Washington residents.

The manuscripts will be judged by four criteria: Idea, organization and development, expression and conventions of grammar and spelling.

The submission deadline is Feb. 15. The entry fee is $20 per submission, or $40 to get back a written critique.

The winners will be announced April 8, about a month before the Write on the River conference. Sponsored by ALCOA, the first prize winner in each category will awarded $300. Second place will earn $200, and third wins $100.

For details, visit writeontheriver.org.