Take a chance
Writing contests keep your mind fresh, your writing skills sharp, and your creativity pumping. And winning could score you new readers, notoriety, and even some extra cash. The biggest thing to keep in mind before submitting your work to a contest is following the rules. Here are some potential pitfalls to keep an eye out for:
1. Deadline. Research when the submission period both opens and closes and send your work within those dates. Contests generally do not grant any exceptions.
2. Word count. If a word limit is set, follow it. Even one or two words over could mean automatic elimination. Generally, the title won’t be included as part of your overall word count, and a contest’s submission guidelines will usually specify this. But if there’s any doubt, be on the safe side and make sure your title doesn’t push your work over the word count.
3. Theme. Be sure that your submission meets the requested subject matter. If you have any doubts, the submission readers may as well.
4. Identification. Many contests work on blind submissions, so if you are asked not to put your name and other identifying information on your actual submission – don’t. Ignoring these rules could get your work instantly disqualified.
The following contests are a small sampling of what the industry has to offer. Find more listings at writermag.com.
*Note: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected literary contests. Many competitions have been suspended temporarily or indefinitely due to the pandemic. If a contest you’ve previously found in our listings is no longer here, it may return next year. More listings can also be found at writermag.com/contests.
Information in this section is provided to The Writer by the individual markets and events; for more information, contact those entities directly.
F = Fiction N = Nonfiction P = Poetry
C = Children’s Y = Young adult O = Other
Given to a poet who has not published a book-length collection of poems. Submit 48-100 pages of poems. Online submissions only. Oct. 1. $35. $5,000, publication by Graywolf Press and an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center in the Umbrian region of Italy. Academy of American Poets, 75 Maiden Ln., Suite 901, New York, NY 10038.
