Spring is here! Finally! Start your spring by entering some writing contests. Submitting to writing contests is a great way to gain credibility as a writer/author. There are lots of great contests and journals that are accepting submissions right now for many different types of work, including fiction, non-fiction, fan and flash fiction, essays, short stories, and poetry. These types of contests can help you keep your writing and publishing momentum going. Below is a list that we put together to help you as you think about submitting your work.
SRPR Editors’ Prize Contest
Online/Postmark submission deadline: April 15, 2014
SRPR 2014 Editors’ Prize: Winner awarded $1000. Two runners up awarded $100 each. Three-five honorable mentions. All winning poems & several finalists are published. 2013 judge: Juliana Spahr. 2014 judge announced after winners are selected. Submit up to three poems by 4/15/2014. Entry fee of $20 includes subscription. See website for guidelineswww.srpr.org.
The Georgia Review’s Loraine Williams Poetry Prize
Open from 1 April – 15 May 2014; submit online or postmark by 15 May
The Georgia Review announces the second annual Loraine Williams Poetry Prize—$1,000 and publication in The Georgia Review for a single poem, originally written in English and never before published either in print or online. The winning poem will be announced on 15 August 2014. Current subscribers may enter free of charge; nonsubscribers may begin a subscription at the time of entry—$35 for four issues, which is $5 off the regular price—or pay an entry fee of $15. For full submission details, visit www.thegeorgiareview.com.
Imaginary Friend Press Second Annual Full-Length Book Award
Online submission deadline: May 1, 2014
Imaginary Friend Press Book Award – Prize: $250 and publication of full length poetry collection. Send ms. of 48 – 96 pages between February 15th and May 1st. Reading fee: $12 without copy of winning book/$17 with a copy of winning book. For guidelines or questions see www.imaginaryfriendpress.com.
Southwest Review 2014 David Nathan Meyerson Prize for Fiction
Postmark deadline: May 1, 2014
This is an annual contest with a prize of $1,000 plus publication. Open to writers who have not published a book of fiction, either a novel or collection of stories. Submissions must be no longer than 8,000 words. No simultaneous or previously published works. Name, address, and contact information should appear only on a cover letter. Postmarked Deadline: May 1, 2014. Entry fee: $25 per story. Mail entries with a check or money order to: The Meyerson Fiction Prize, P.O. Box 750374, Dallas, TX 75275-0374, or enter online atwww.smu.edu/southwestreview.
$500 Prose Poetry Prize with Kimberly Johnson as Judge
Submission deadline: May 5, 2014
$500 to the champion, May 5 deadline, $6 entry fee, and poet, translator, and literary critic Kimberly Johnson to judge. Submit 1-5 poems through our online submission manager. All submissions will also be considered for publication in elsewhere.Only previously unpublished works will be considered. Please do not include name on manuscript.
elsewheremag.org/issue-2/contests.php
The Iowa Review Invites Submissions to Veterans’ Writing Contest
Postmark deadline: April 15 – May 15, 2014
The Iowa Review invites submissions beginning April 15th to the Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans writing contest, featuring guest judge Anthony Swofford. $1,000 first-prize award, $750 second-prize award, $500 to three runners-up, plus publication in our Spring 2015 issue. See full rules atiowareview.org/veteranswritingcontest This creative writing contest is made possible by a gift from the family of Jeff Sharlet (1942–69), a Vietnam veteran and antiwar writer and activist. It is open to U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel writing in any genre and about any subject matter.
The 2014 Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry
Online/Postmark submission deadline: May 15, 2014
The 18th annual Blue Lynx Prize, $2000 plus publication, is awarded for an unpublished, full-length volume of poems by a U.S. resident or citizen. Send manuscript of at least 48 pages, a $28 reading fee plus SASE (for notification) to Lynx House Press, P.O. Box 940, Spokane, WA 99210; or electronically tolynxhousepress.submittable.com. Postmark deadline: May 15, 2014. Make checks payable to Lynx House Press. The 2013 winner was Suzanne Lummis for Open 24 Hours. Judges have included Yusef Komunyakaa, Beckian Fritz Goldberg, Robert Wrigley, Dorianne Laux, and David Wojahn. www.lynxhousepress.org
Fiction Fix Seeks Novellas and Art
Online submission deadline: May 15, 2014
Fiction Fix seeks novellas and artwork for the Fiction Fix Novella Award, to be published in late July/early August. See FictionFix.net for more details.
Flash Fiction Competition: 6 Words “The Story of a Thing”
Online submission deadline: May 25, 2014
Haunted Waters Press editor, Penny Dreadful, is selecting exceptionally small works of flash fiction to be showcased in Penny Fiction, a regular feature of the literary journal, From the Depths. Stories will also appear in the Penny Fiction Poster Collection. In keeping with the Summer 2014 theme, “The Object of Our Desire,” tell us the story of a “thing” in exactly 6 words—no more, no less. Extra points awarded for writers who adhere to the rules. Not really. There are no points. Just read the contest rules and impress Penny with your ability to follow instructions. www.hauntedwaterspress.com/Submissions.html
Announcing the Richard and Julie Logsdon Prize for Fiction
Email/Online submission deadline: May 31, 2014
To be awarded to a work of fiction published by Red Rock Review in Spring or Fall of 2014. Prize: $150. Contest guidelines atsites.csn.edu/english/redrockreview/Prize_Page.html. Submission guidelines atsites.csn.edu/english/redrockreview/Frequently Asked Questions.htm.
The Rusty Toque’s 2014 Fiction Chapbook Contest
Online submission deadline: June 1, 2014
The Rusty Toque is pleased to announce its 2014 Fiction Chapbook Contest. Send us 25 to 40 pages of fiction (short stories, micro-fictions, longer stories welcome). This year’s judge is Lee Henderson. Contest open to all writers except students, faculty, staff of Western University. 1ST PLACE will receive $800 + chapbook publication (e-book and print) + a fiction prize pack. Up to 2 finalists will receive $50 + a fiction prize pack + an excerpt or story from their chapbook published online in The Rusty Toque. Other notable entries will receive an honorable mention on our website. www.therustytoque.com/fiction-chapbook-contest.html
Vallum Award for Poetry 2014
Online/Postmark submission deadline: July 15, 2014
2014 Contest Judge: George Elliott Clarke
1st Prize: $750, 2nd Prize: $250 + publication in Vallum. Vallumis accepting original and previously unpublished poetry submissions for the Vallum Award for Poetry 2014. Some of the best poets in the world have graced the pages of Vallum: Contemporary Poetry. Get your word on! Entry fee: $25 CAD for Canadian residents, $25 USD for international entrants, which includes a free one-year subscription to Vallum. Entries accepted both by Paypal and by postal mail. For more information please visit:www.vallummag.com/contestrules.html.
3rd Annual Romancing the Craft of Poetry & Fiction Contest
Online submission deadline: June 30, 2014
Our first place winner will receive $300 and a one-year print subscription to theTorrid Literature Journal. The Second place winner receive $200 and the third place winner receive $100. All winners will receive publication in the Torrid Literature Journal. Please submit up to 3 poems per submission or one fiction story with no more than 3,000 words per submission. This contest is open to new and experienced writers. Multiple submissions are welcome. The $5.00 reading fee includes a one-year electronic subscription to Torrid Literature Journal. Enter at torridliterature.com/Contests.html.
SDP Publishing Solutions, LLC (formerly Sweet Dreams Publishing of Massachusetts) is a leading provider of independent publishing in Massachusetts. We offer optimal self publishing and independent publishing solutions for our authors. Located south of Boston, from literary agency representation to worldwide marketing – including international rights – we provide the best solutions for authors worldwide. Our services include developmental editing and copy editing, custom cover design and layout, book marketing, query letter and book proposals, literary agency representation, print and e-book development. We provide the best exposure for your book!
