THE APPLICATION PERIOD HAS CLOSED. Congratulations to our winners!

1st Place: Andrea Ashbrook (my aged friend)

2nd Place: Sarah Butkovich (laid to dust)

3rd Place: Titus O’Neil (Unspoken)

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The first layer of snow is often an indication of something exhilarating: Mariah Carey is on the radio again, households are finally using their heating systems, relatives make arduously long trips for the holidays, and the festivities indoors help pass time without stepping one foot out the door.

But for some of us, winter is ironically the most isolating season of all.

In two pages or less (single spaced), in any genre of your choice (poetry, short story, screenwriting, personal essay– you name it), write about a moment in time where you felt “cold-shouldered” by someone or something: give the audience a feel of the chill that grazed your thoughts. Season-related references would be appreciated, but not mandatory.

1st place will win a $250 Amazon gift card, 2nd place wins a $100 gift card, and 3rd place wins a $50 gift card. Winners will be announced in December.

Though Synthesis is a teen magazine, all ages can enter this competition! We look forward to reading your entries, good luck!