We’re in the dog days of summer, and motivation can be hard to find. To help you out, here’s a wonderfully ordered list of opportunities all coming up in the month of August. So escape from the summer heat for awhile and sit in the shade of a tree, or in the AC, and crank out those submissions!
FEATURED! Short Story Award for New Writers
Don’t miss your chance to submit to our biggest submission period of the year, which closes in a few short days.We’re looking for stellar stories by emerging writers. The winner receives $3000, publication, and agency review, and the first and second place authors also receive cash prizes, publication, and review. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: July 31
2017 ½ K Prize
Indiana Review and judge Donika Kelly are looking for writers who are both creative and concise – could that be you? Stories must be less than 500 words, but multiple entries are allowed! Fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction are accepted, and first place receives $1000 and guaranteed publication in Indiana Review! Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 1
PEN Emerging Voices Fellowship
Meant for new writers who are unfamiliar with the literary establishment, this prize provides financial support, professional mentoring, classes, and public readings to poets and writers of fiction and creative nonfiction! This 7-month fellowship awards a $1000 stipend, but participants must reside in LA for that period. Applicants need to provide a professional CV, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $10 Deadline: August 1
Geometry Literary Journal Open Submissions
Here is a great opportunity for writers, as Geometry is accepting fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry! Fiction and creative nonfiction can be 8000 words, and poetry is 50 lines. They are looking for original, unpublished, literary work – Interested? Submit here!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: August 1
2017 Lab Fiction Prize
The University of New Orleans Press is looking to publish the best novel/short story collection written this year, and they are very upfront about their plan! The contest is open to all authors, and entries are allowed to be any length and on any subject. The winner receives $1000 and a publishing contract, along with promotion from The Publishing Laboratory at the University of New Orleans. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: August 15
Blue Mesa Review Contest
There are actually three contests offered here, looking for fresh prose and powerful poetry! The judges are Safiya Sinclair for poetry, Rigoberto González for nonfiction, and co-judges Lori Ostlund and Anne Raeff for fiction. Submissions may be up to 6000 words, or up to 3 poems, and the winner of each contest receives $500 and publication. Make sure to select the correct contest for your submission! More details here.
Entry Fee: $12 Deadline: August 31
Gemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest
Here is a great chance for writers of all stripes, as Gemini Magazine’s contest is open to any subject, style, or genre! Entries must be unpublished, and the maximum length is 1000 words. The winner receives $1000 and publication. More details here.
Entry Fee: $5 Deadline: August 31
Glimmer Train Fiction Open
Occurring twice a year, this is the summer installment of Glimmer Train’s Fiction Open contest! It’s open to all writers, all subjects, all themes, and entries can run from 3000 to 20,000 words. The winner receives $3000, the runner-up receives $1000, and both are published in Glimmer Train Stories, and receive 10 copies of that issue. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $21 Deadline: August 31
Glimmer Train Very Short Fiction Contest
Don’t worry, your eyes don’t deceive you! Glimmer Train currently has two contests open, and this one is specifically for short fiction! The contest is open to all writers, but entries must be between 300 and 3000 words. First place is $2000 and publication, as well as 10 copies of that issue. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $16 Deadline: August 31
2017 Red Hen Press Fiction Award
Red Hen Press is looking for “a fresh and original story of fiction,” and they’re willing to pay for it! Open to all authors, the fiction manuscript must be a minimum of 150 pages, and submitted without any identifying material. The award is $1000, and also includes publication of the winning entry. Judged by Charles Yu! Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 31
The St. Lawrence Book Award
If you have an unpublished poetry or short story collection, this could be your big break! Black Lawrence Press is currently accepting submissions from any author who has not yet published a full-length collection. The winner will receive book publication, $1000, and 10 copies of the book. Details here.
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: August 31
Sustainable Arts Foundation Award
If you have ever juggled being a parent and a writer, this is opportunity knocking! The Sustainable Arts Foundation is awarding $5000 to twenty writers and artists, who inspire us by making creative work while raising a family. Writers can apply in creative nonfiction, fiction, graphic novel, playwriting, poetry, and more. Applications must include personal information, artistic information, and a portfolio. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: August 31
Black Warrior Review 2017 Contest
It’s important to play to your strengths, and Black Warrior Review has an opportunity for everyone in their contest! The 2017 Fiction Contest is judged by Nicola Griffith, the 2017 Nonfiction Contest is judged by Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib, and the 2017 Poetry Contest is judged by Rachel McKibbens. The first-place prize is $1000 and publication in each genre. Let’s get started!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: September 1
by Kimberly Guerin