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The Birthday Challenge

Laurie Fraser Manifold’s depiction of Watson’s experiences in the San Francisco earthquake and its aftermath was the winning entry in last year’s Birthday Challenge. Runners-up were Sandy Kozinn, Ann Margaret Lewis, and Elaine and Jonathan McCafferty. Honorable mentions went to Warren Randall and Lelah Urban.

 For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, the rules are simple. Each year we provide an essay topic in this special birthday edition of the Muse. The contest is only open to Muse subscribers. Of course, you may subscribe at the same time you enter. By entering the contest, you give the Muse permission to publish your work. No entries will be returned, and Muse editorial staff and their families are not eligible.

The Birthday Challenge 2008 Assignment

Our thanks go to Melinda Caric, Lyndsay Faye, and Becky Robare for this year’s challenge. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write a Sherlockian haiku. Entries should follow the typical American 17-syllable, 3-line structure: five syllables in the first and third lines and seven syllables in the second.* You may send multiple entries, but only one haiku will win. Here are some samples:

Autumn in Walsall                               Leaves swirl round a slim woman,  Chestnut hair now grey.

I wish my friend the              Compliments of the season.                Whose hat is this, then?

 The winning entry and runners-up as appropriate will appear in the Muse and on the ASH-NYC website. In addition, the winner will receive a $30 gift certificate for the book store of his or her choice. Entries must be received by February 1, 2005, ensuring the winner a place in the March issue.

*For more information on haikus, see ASH Brad Keefauver's column here in Sherlock in Peoria.

Subscriptions are $10 for 4 issues.

Send cheque (made out to “Evelyn A. Herzog”) to:

        Evelyn Herzog

        301 Warren Ave, #203

        Baltimore MD 21230

Contributions to the Annual Birthday Challenge may be sent to:

        Susan Z. Diamond
        Muse Contributions Editor
        16W603 3rd Ave.
        Bensenville, IL 60106-2327
        szdiamond@comcast.net

Please note that by entering a Muse contest, you give The Serpentine Muse permission to publish your work. The Muse is copyrighted by the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, and permission must be obtained for reproduction of an article in another publication. Contest entries will not be returned.