All the plants and animals have woken up after the long winter, and they’re shaking off the stupor of hibernation. Join them in limbering up, and send your newly vitalized writing entries to one of these contests!
FEATURED Masters Review Flash Fiction Contest
Never before has each word in a submission been worth so much… You might be limited to 1000 words, but the winner will be rewarded with $3000! Second and third place receive $300 and $200, respectively, and all stories are considered for publication. We’re only looking for previously unpublished stories, but you’re allowed both simultaneous and multiple submissions. Our guest judge is Kim Chinquee, and we’re asking you to amaze her! Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: May 31
The Loraine Williams Poetry Prize
Dawn Lundy Martin, the Toi Derricotte Endowed Chair in English at the University of Pittsburgh, is judging this contest for The Georgia Review, and they are looking for a masterful poem! The final winner will receive $1500, publication, and a trip to Atlanta for a public reading, but all submitted poems will be considered for publication (at $4 a line). Learn more here.
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: May 1
2022 Poetry Prize
If you have a poem to share, Ruminate wants to read it! Judged by the fantastic Rajiv Mohabir, the first-place prize is $1000 and publication. The runner-up will also receive publication. Each submission is only three poems, but there are no limits on the number of entries per person. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: May 1
Waterston Desert Writing Prize
Inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston, this prize provides financial and other support to writers whose work reflects a connection to the desert. They’re looking for creative or literary nonfiction, with an engaging style, unique voice, and a fresh perspective. The Waterston Desert Prize recognizes one writer with $3000, a residency at Summer Lake, OR, and a reading and reception at the High Desert Museum in Bend, OR. Applicants need to provide a biographical statement, a proposal, and a writing sample. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: May 1
The Emerging Writer’s Contest
Ploughshares prides itself on their commitment to promoting the work of up-and-coming writers, and that means you! This contest is meant to celebrate emerging writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, awarding $2000, publication, and agency review to the winners of each category. Amelia Gray is judging fiction, Danielle Geller is judging nonfiction, and Chen Chen is judging poetry. Guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $24 Deadline: May 15
Raymond Carver Short Story Contest
If your stories are compelling, captivating, and concise, then Carve Magazine has the contest for you! Judged by Dariel Suarez, the winner receives $2000, second-place receives $500, third-place is given $250, two Editor’s Choice recipients get $125, and all of the winning entries will be read by three literary agents. This is the twenty-second anniversary of the contest, so don’t waste any more time! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $17 Deadline: May 15
New Letters Prizes
There are actually three contests here, one each for poetry, nonfiction, or fiction! The Conger Beasley Jr. Award for Nonfiction submissions may be up to 8000 words, and the best essay receives $2500 and publication. The Robert Day Award for Fiction may also be up to 8000 words, the Patricia Cleary Miller Award for Poetry up to six poems, and the winner of these contests also receives $2500 and publication. Make sure to select the correct contest for your submission! More details here.
Entry Fee: $24 Deadline: May 22
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 Venita Blackburn, Lia Purpura, and Carl Phillips, respectively. The winners in each category receive publication, a $1000 honorarium, and a $1500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book! Make sure to choose the correct category when you submit, and good luck! Find more details here.
Entry Fee: $30 Deadline: May 31
Elixir Press Fiction Award
This contest is sponsored by Elixir Press, and is open to all authors writing in English! They’re accepting both novels and short story collections, as long as the submissions are literary quality. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, and the winner receives $2000, publication, and 25 copies of their winning manuscript. Judged by Anthony E Varallo. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $40 Deadline: May 31
Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction
The University of Georgia Press has offered this award since 1983, and it has become an important showcase for talented emerging writers. Series editor Lori Ostlund is looking for short story collections, which may include novellas and long stories, and the competition is open to all authors writing in English who reside in North America. The winner receives a cash award of $1000 as well as a standard book publishing contract with the University of Georgia Press. More information here.
Entry Fee: $30 Deadline: May 31
Guy Owen Prize
Southern Poetry Review is looking for the perfect poem, and it could be yours! They’re accepting three to five poems in every submission, and the winning poem will receive $1000 and publication. Enter here!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: May 31
by Kimberly Guerin