The contest was created to commemorate Diana Lynn Bogart, a gifted writer and UC Davis undergraduate who died in an automobile accident at the end of her first year in June of 1987. The fiction contest is open to all UCD registered undergraduates. The contest has gained popularity over time, and last year's number of applicants exceeded 50. The submitted works are not to exceed 35 pages in length. In addition, there are no strict criteria for the contest, so students may write on any topic of their choice as long as it is fiction.
Entries can take the form of a short story or a novel excerpt.
Bruce and Lynn Bogart started the contest six years ago to commemorate their daughter. Bogart said that he is glad to offer a writing opportunity to students of many academic disciplines. He added that students who submit their work will hopefully find pleasure in writing a piece that they can call their own. The initial judging will be done by the creative writing program, and the final winners will be selected by a locally known novelist. The winners will be announced in the spring quarter.