We’re about to officially enter summer, and that certainly deserves a celebration! Use the extra hours of sunlight to fuel your spirit for short stories and consider entering these wonderful contests and magazines with deadlines in June.
Featured! The Masters Review Flash Fiction Contest $2000 and Publication in PEN America
Don’t forget this important late May deadline! Our own Flash Fiction Contest ends on May 31 and the winner earns $2000 and publication on PEN America online. Second and third place winners earn publication in The Masters Review and $200 and $100 respectively. SUBMIT NOW!
Entry Fee: $20 (for up to two stories) Deadline: May 31
Thomas A. Wilhelmus Short Prose Award
There’s only a little time left to enter Southern Indiana Review’s writing contest for short prose! Each submission should only be 40-80 pages, whether it is a novella, a novel excerpt, or a creative nonfiction piece. The first-place winner is awarded $2000 and their collection will be published by Southern Indiana Review Press. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1
American Short Fiction
American Short Fiction and amazing judge Lauren Groff are looking for writers who are confident, concise, and creative — could that be you? Stories must be between 2000 and 6500 words, but multiple entries are allowed. First place receives $1000 and guaranteed publication, one runner-up receives $500, and all entries are considered for publication. Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1
Boston Review’s Annual Poetry Contest
Now open, Boston Review’s Annual Poetry Contest is a big one, with the winner receiving $1500 and publication. Submissions are five poems, on ten pages or less, and any poet writing in English is eligible! Judged by the wonderful Mónica de la Torre. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1
2017 Travel Writing Contest
The award-winning literary travel magazine Nowhere is looking for writers who know how to convey setting and atmosphere with ease and grace! Submissions may be fiction, nonfiction, or essay, and can range from 800 to 5000 words. The winner receives $1000 and publication, and up to 10 finalists will be published as well. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1
Bard Fiction Prize
This amazing prize is offered to a promising emerging writer through Bard College, and the winners receive a stipend of $30,000, an appointment as writer-in-residence on campus for one semester, and the opportunity to give a public lecture. Be aware, though, they’re looking for writers who are 39 years old or younger. You’ll need to have published a book in order to apply, but this is the chance of a lifetime! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: June 15
New American Fiction Prize
If you have an unpublished fiction manuscript, this is opportunity knocking! New American Press and Lori Ostlund are currently accepting submissions for this prize. A full-length fiction work of outstanding merit will be selected, and the winner will receive a publication contract, 25 author’s copies, and $1000. Do it!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: June 15
Glimmer Train’s Short Story Award For New Writers
Occurring three times a year, this is the summer installment of Glimmer Train’s contest. It’s only open to writers whose fiction has not appeared in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000, and entries are capped at 12,000 words. The winner receives $2500 and publication in Glimmer Train Stories, along with 10 copies of that issue. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: June 30
Autumn House Press Contests
In this threefold contest offered by Autumn House Press, contestants can submit manuscript entries for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The categories are judged by Amina Gautier, Alison Hawthorne Deming, and Alberto Ríos, respectively. Not only do the winners in each contest receive $2500 and publication, but promotional help as well! Make sure to choose the correct category when you submit, and good luck! Find more details here.
Entry Fee: $30 Deadline: June 30
Drue Heinz Literature Prize
This contest has some very stringent requirements, but it also has a prize that is worth it! In order to be eligible for the University of Pittsburgh Press’ award, you must have been published by a reputable journal, magazine, or publisher, before you can submit your manuscript for consideration. The winner of this award, however, will have that manuscript published, and then receive $15,000! Details here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: June 30
LAR Awards
Here is a great chance for writers of all stripes, as The Los Angeles Review’s contest rewards authors in creative nonfiction, short fiction, flash fiction, and poetry! Chelsey Clammer judges creative nonfiction, Bryan Hurt judges short fiction, Siel Ju judges flash fiction, and t’ai freedom ford judges poetry. The winner in each category receives $1000 and publication — Make sure you submit to the correct category! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 30
by Kimberly Guerin