September contains both the ending of summer, and the beginning of autumn. These contests are also ending this month, but they could be just the beginning of your success story!
FEATURED! Myths & Fables Prize
Open to new and emerging poets, Frontier Poetry is hosting a contest to celebrate imagination, storytelling, and the power of archetype—they want work that creates an experience for the reader, rather than just reporting an experience for the reader. The great Matthew Olzmann is judging! The winning poet will receive $3,000 and publication for their manuscript, and second- and third-place winners receive $300 and $200, respectively. Get started!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: September 13
American Literary Review Awards
In this threefold contest offered by American Literary Review, contestants can submit entries for short fiction, essays, and poetry! Submissions may be up to 8,000 words for short fiction, 4,000 words for essays, or up to five poems, and the winner of each contest receives $1000 and publication. Learn more here.
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: September 1
Dogwood Literary Awards
These are actually three contests offered by Dogwood: A Journal of Poetry and Prose, looking for exceptional writing and outstanding poetry! Submissions may be up to twenty-two pages, or a set of one to three poems, and the winner of each contest receives $1,000 and publication. Make sure to select the correct contest for your submission (poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction)! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $10 Deadline: September 5
The Berlin Prize
The American Academy in Berlin is now accepting applications for their residential fellowships, to enrich transatlantic dialogue in the arts and address pressing issues of the day. Writers need one published book to be eligible, and fellowships are restricted to US residents. Roughly two dozen Berlin Prizes are awarded each year, and those selected receive round-trip airfare, a monthly $5,000 stipend, and lodging at the Hans Arnhold Center. More details here!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: September 25
Cullman Center Fellowships
The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers offers up to fifteen fellowships each year, for academics, journalists, and creative writers. Part of the New York Public Library system, this is an amazing opportunity to access the research collections at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building! A Cullman Center Fellow receives a stipend of up to $90,000, an office, and full use of the Library’s physical and electronic resources. Don’t miss out!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: September 25
Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers
Boulevard’s contest is meant to honor a writer who has never published a book, and that could be you! There is a $1,000 prize, as well as publication in an issue of Boulevard. Entries must be under 8,000 words, but there is no limit on the number of entries, and all of the entries are considered for publication. Do it!
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: September 30
Dzanc Books Contests
Dzanc Books is offering opportunities for all writers, with two different contests ending this September! The Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction, judged by Alyssa Quinn, Alan Michael Parker, and Ruyan Meng, awards a $5,000 advance and publication for the original and daring winning manuscript. The Dzanc Books Short Story Collection Competition celebrates imaginative and inventive short form writing, offering a $5,000 advance and publication to the winning submission. Check them both out!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: September 30
Hackney Literary Award for Novels
Sponsored by the Morris Hackney family, this is an amazing prize for any aspiring novelist! This $5,000 prize will be awarded to an unpublished novel, and there is no limit on length or subject matter. Check it out now!
Entry Fee: $30 Deadline: September 30
Juniper Literary Prizes
The University of Massachusetts Press honors the memory of Robert Francis, who lived and wrote his poetry in Fort Juniper, and applicants should keep in mind his dedication to creativity and nature! The Juniper Prize for Poetry awards $1,000 and publication to two original poetry manuscripts: one first book prize for an unpublished author, and one prize for a previously published author. The Juniper Prize for Fiction also awards $1,000 and publication to two original fiction manuscripts: one for a short story collection, and one for a novel. The Juniper Prize for Creative Nonfiction awards $1,000 and publication to one original manuscript. Details here!
Entry Fee: $30 Deadline: September 30
Miller Williams Poetry Prize
This prize is named for and operated to honor the longtime director of the University of Arkansas Press, Miller Williams. Submissions of book-length poetry manuscripts should reflect his preference for poetry that was plain spoken, evocative, ironic, and humorous. The top three entries will receive publication, and the first-place winner also receives $5,000. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $28 Deadline: September 30
by Kimberly Guerin