A great way to gain credibility as a writer/author is by submitting to writing contests. 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.
Story Share $50,000 Writing Contest
Submission deadline: December 7, 2013
Benetech Global Literacy, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) and Orca Book Publishing are encouraging emerging and existing writers to submit original high-interest fiction and non-fiction reading material for young adults aged 13+ who struggle with reading. No prior experience writing for struggling reader audiences is required. A step-by-step guide is available to assist writers in leveling their stories. Eleven cash prizes will be awarded to winners in categories including best series, best character-based story and best use of illustrations. Prize levels range from $2,000 to a grand prize of $10,000. www.storysharecontest.com
Gival Press Poetry Award-2013
Postmark deadline: December 15, 2013
15th Gival Press Poetry Award for best original previously unpublished collection of poetry in English, 45 pages or more, in any style or form; include list of previously published poems in the ms. Prize: $1,000, copies and publication. Reading fee $20 per ms submitted. Deadline Dec. 15. For complete details, email givalpress@yahoo.com or visit website www.givalpress.com. Mail to: Robert L. Giron, Editor, Gival Press, P.O. Box 3812, Arlington, VA 22203.
Imaginary Friend Press Chapbook Contest
Online submission deadline: December 15, 2013
Imaginary Friend Press is holding a poetry chapbook contest. The reading period ends 12/15. There is a $5 entry fee or $7 if you want a copy of the winning book. Winning book gets $100 and 25 copies of the book. Winning book will be chosen by a panel of esteemed judges. Other entries will be considered for publication. Visit www.imaginaryfriendpress.com for complete guidelines.
2013 William Richey Fiction Prize, Yemassee
Extended deadline: December 15, 2013
Yemassee invites you to submit to our annual 2013 William Richey Short Fiction Contest. Submit one piece of unpublished short fiction of up to 10,000 words. Acclaimed novelist Emily St. John Mandel is this year’s guest judge. $500 prize, $10 entry fee, the winner and two runner-ups will be published in the magazine along with a list of ten finalists. Visit yemasseejournalonline.org for more details as well as to enter.
Tartt First Fiction Award, Livingston Press
Postmark deadline: December 31, 2013
Tartt First Fiction Award’s tenth annual contest is now open. American authors who have not yet published a story collection are eligible. One thousand dollar award, plus publication in trade paper, hardcover, and Kindle. Author receive 100 copies. Manuscript should fall between 150-275 pages. Open to all themes, styles. Twenty-dollar entry fee. Mail to Livingston Press, Station 22, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL 35470. We notify all entrants of receipt in January, of the winner in late May. Keep a copy of your manuscript, as we do not return entries. Thanks. www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu
Press 53 Award for Short Fiction
Online submission deadline: December 31, 2013
Awarded to an outstanding, unpublished collection of short stories. Reading Fee: $30. Award: Publication of winning short story collection, $1,000 cash advance, travel expenses and lodging for a special reading and book signing party at Press 53 headquarters at the Community Arts Café in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, attendance to the 2014 Press 53/Prime Number Magazine Gathering of Writers, and ten copies of the book. Enter September 1, 2013–December 31, 2013; finalists announced March 1, 2014; winner announced on May 3, 2014 (National Press 53 Day). Complete details at www.Press53.com.
bioStories Magazine Essay Contest. Theme: “Kindness”
Email submission deadline: January 15, 2014
Staying with its mission of finding the extraordinary in ordinary lives, bioStories solicits essays for a contest focused on the theme “kindness.” We encourage writers to interpret the theme broadly and creatively. Winner receives $250 and publication. Pieces earning honorable mentions will be announced on the magazine website and be eligible for publication. Entry fee: $10. Deadline for entry: January 15, 2014. Only nonfiction will be accepted. Maximum length 3,000 words. No previously published work. Essays will be evaluated by blind review. Complete contest guidelines are available at: www.biostories.com.
The Dora and Alexander Raynes Poetry Prize
Email/Online/Postmark deadline: January 15, 2014
One poet will receive $1000 and two poets will receive $180 each for a poem on the theme of Union. Joan Larkin will judge. The three poets will have their work featured in the Spring 2014 issue of Jewish Currents magazine, and 36 poets will be included in an anthology to be published Summer 2014. All entries will be considered for future publication in the magazine. (Please note: Writers of any background, regardless of religious affiliation, are encouraged to submit.) Submission fee of $18 includes a one-year subscription or gift subscription to Jewish Currents. Online submissions are accepted. For instructions and further contest guidelines, see jewishcurrents.org/poetry-prize-2.
Willow Springs Fiction Prize
Submission deadline: March 15, 2014
$2,000 plus publication. Submission deadline: March 15, 2014. Original, unpublished work only; no word limit for submissions. $15 entry fee, $20 for international submissions. All entrants will receive a one-year subscription to Willow Springs. You can submit a story online willowsprings.submittable.com/submit or mail a hard copy to The Willow Springs Fiction Prize. More details here: willowsprings.ewu.edu/contests.php
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 at sites.csn.edu/english/redrockreview/Prize_Page.html. Submission guidelines at sites.csn.edu/english/redrockreview/Frequently Asked Questions.htm.
Good Luck!
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