Love is in the air, and we hope that you give one of these contests the chance to fall madly in love with your work! Go ahead; let yourself be seen and appreciated!
Michael Waters Poetry Prize
There’s only a little time left to enter Southern Indiana Review’s writing contest for poetry collections! Entries must be written in English, and be under 100 pages. Judged by Michael Waters himself, the first-place winner is awarded $5000 and their collection will be published by Southern Indiana Review Press. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $30 Deadline: February 1
Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing
This amazing residency is offered to two writers through Bucknell University, and the winners receive a stipend of $5000 and four months of lodging. They’re looking for writers in any creative genre in the literary arts, who are over the age of twenty-one but not enrolled in a college or university. You’ll need a twenty page sample of your prose, but this could be the opportunity for you! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: February 1
American Short(er) Fiction Prize
American Short Fiction and judge Karen Russell are looking for writers who know their way around flash fiction—could that be you? Stories must be fewer than 1000 words, but multiple entries are allowed! First place receives $1000 and guaranteed publication, and all entries are considered for publication. Details here.
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: February 1
Flash Fiction Prize
This annual contest from Fish Publishing is a true challenge—can you write a compelling and resolved story in 300 words or fewer? Judged by Kit De Waal, first place receives $1130 and publication, and the other nine finalists are published as well. See more here!
Entry Fee: $16 Deadline: February 28
Women’s Prose Prize
This contest is for any and all writers who identify as women, who have a previously unpublished, original work of prose! Acceptable submissions include novels, short story collections, memoirs, and essay collections, between 25,000 and 80,000 words. The winner, selected by judge Ellen Meeropol, receives $1000 and publication by Red Hen Press. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: February 28
The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction
Sarabande Books has been around for over a quarter of a century, and now you can be a part of that history! Their contest is open to any short fiction writer in English, and submissions can vary from short story collections to novellas. Judged by Manuel Muñoz, he’s awarding $2000, publication of the manuscript, and a standard royalty contract to the winner! All finalists are considered for publication. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $29 Deadline: February 15
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 each to twenty writers and artists, who inspire us by making creative work while raising a family. Writers can apply in creative nonfiction, fiction, graphic novels, young adult fiction, poetry, and more. Applications must include personal information, artistic information, and a portfolio. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 24
Slippery Elm Prize
This annual contest from Slippery Elm Literary Journal is looking for the best in both poetry and prose! Karen George is judging in poetry, up to three poems per entry. Ethan Joella is judging in prose, with a 5000 word maximum. The winner of each contest receives $1000, and all entries are considered for publication in the 2023 print issue. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: February 1
Courage to Write Grants
The de Groot Foundation is looking for applications from adult writers actively engaged in writing projects who could use a motivational boost! In 2023, the de Groot Foundation is offering three LANDO grants of $7000 to writers exploring immigration issues, seven COURAGE to WRITE grants of $7000 to writers in any genre, and up to ten Writer of Note grants of $1500 selected from the pool of finalists. Applicants will need to submit a bio sketch, a letter of application, and a writing sample. Don’t miss your chance!
Entry Fee: $22 Deadline: February 15
Chautauqua Janus Prize
For the sixth time, the Chautauqua Janus Prize will be awarded this summer, and the time to apply is running out! It is meant to be a celebration of an emerging writer’s daring innovation of literary form and function that reorders and upsets readers’ imaginations in a single work of short fiction or nonfiction. Not only does the winner receive $5000 for their manuscript, they will also give a lecture in the summer and receive publication in Chautauqua. This is specifically a prize meant for emerging writers, who have yet to publish any prose books. Judged by Michael Martone. Apply here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 28
by Kimberly Guerin