The world is emerging from the deep thaw, and it’s time for you to start moving as well! Get back into the swing of things by entering one of these great contests.
Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
If you think you have that movie magic, now’s your chance! This contest awards up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters, who are allowed to enter one original screenplay no longer than 160 pages. Fellowship winners are expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during the Fellowship year. Do it!
Entry Fee: $70 Deadline: April 1
Gemini Magazine Short Story Contest
Here is a great chance for writers of all stripes, as Gemini Magazine’s contest is open to any subject, style, or length! Entries must be unpublished, but multiple entries are allowed. The winner receives $1000 and publication. Submission details here.
Entry Fee: $8 Deadline: April 1
Nimrod Literary Awards
These awards, the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction and the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry, are presented by Nimrod International Journal through the University of Tulsa. Contestants should enter 3-10 pages of poetry, or up to 7500 words of prose. The winner of each category will receive $2000, publication, and a virtual Awards Ceremony! Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: April 1
The Orison Prizes in Poetry and Fiction
Every year Orison Books accepts submissions of full-length poetry and fiction manuscripts between December and April, and this year’s window is closing fast! Fiction entries may be novellas, novels, or collections of short stories and flash fiction, but they must be a minimum of 30,000 words. Poetry entries may be between 50 and 100 pages. Ellen Bass is judging poetry, Kaveh Akbar is judging fiction, and the winners of each genre receive $1500, publication, and a standard royalties contract. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: April 1
2024 First Pages Prize
Here is a contest for emerging writers, specifically those who are currently not represented by an agent! Each entry should be about 1250 words (which works out to be about five pages), and should be the opening to an unpublished book. The two categories, fiction and creative nonfiction, will both be judged by Edwidge Danticat. The book doesn’t need to be finished, but it should be obvious that the first pages are part of a larger story. First place in each category will win $2000, second place will win $1500, and third place will win $1000. The top five finishers will all receive tailored edits and an agent consultation. Learn more details here!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: April 10
The 2024 Gulf Coast Prizes
Here is an opportunity for all writers, as Gulf Coast’s contest rewards authors in nonfiction, fiction, and poetry! Edgar Gomez judges nonfiction, Zaina Arafat judges fiction, and Monica Youn judges poetry. The winner in each category receives $1500, and two honorable mentions in each category also receive $250. Make sure you submit to the correct category! Details here.
Entry Fee: $26 Deadline: April 10
New Ohio Review Contests
All three of the New Ohio Review’s contests are ending this month, so enter now if you want to receive one of the three $1500 first-place prizes! Kate Bernheimer is judging the fiction section, Naomi Shihab Nye is judging the poetry section, and Lily Hoàng is judging the nonfiction applicants. All of the winners and a selection of the runners up will be published! See more here.
Entry Fee: $22 Deadline: April 15
Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize
Named after the first director of the University of Pittsburgh Press, this prize is offered for a first full-length book of poems! Manuscripts should be between 48 and 100 pages, and accompanied by a CV. The winner receives a $5000 cash award as well as publication by the Pitt Poetry Series under its standard royalty contract. The winner will be announced in the fall, so get the process started now! Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: April 30
Autumn House Press Nonfiction Prize
In this contest offered by Autumn House Press, contestants can submit manuscript entries for nonfiction. The final judge is Clifford Thompson. The winner receives publication, a $1000 honorarium, and a $1500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book! They want to develop a rich and varied writing tradition! Find more details here.
Entry Fee: $35 Deadline: April 30
F(r)iction Spring Contests
There are so many options in F(r)iction’s collection of contests, there’s bound to be something for everyone! Short stories are judged by Wole Talabi, and the winner receives $1000. Flash fiction is judged by Sherrie Flick, and the winner receives $300. Poetry is judged by TBA, and also receives $300. Finally, creative nonfiction is judged by Marin Sardy, and the winner receives $1000. All winners and some finalists will be published. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: April 30
by Kimberly Guerin