It may seem too hot to write, but you can use the power of persistence, or at least the advantage of your air conditioning, as you finish up and send in your submissions!
FEATURED Masters Review Flash Fiction Contest
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but no photos are accepted for our contest starting August 1! We want to make sure you have the time to craft your perfect flash fiction, considering the winner will be rewarded with 3000 dollars! Second and third place receive $200 and $100, 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 We’re only looking for previously unpublished stories, but you’re allowed both simultaneous and multiple submissions. Get ready! Get set! Go!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: September 30
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 and housing is not provided. Applicants need to provide a professional CV, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $10 Deadline: August 1
2018 Barthelme Prize for Short Prose
This is Gulf Coast’s current contest, and they’re looking for a very specific and very succinct sort of entry! Submissions can be prose poetry, fiction, or essays, but they all need to be less than 500 words. The winner receives $1000 and publication, and it’s judged by Laura van den Berg! Check it out!
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: August 15
2018 ½ K Prize
Indiana Review and judges Bryan Borland and Seth Pennington are looking for writers who are sharp, short, and definitely not shy – could that be you? Entries 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 15
2018 Publishing Lab Prize
The University of New Orleans Press is looking to publish the best novel/short story collection written this year, to bring innovative publicity and broad distribution to authors! The contest is open to all writers, and entries are allowed any length and any subject. The winner receives a $1000 advance and a publishing contract, along with promotion from The Publishing Laboratory at the University of New Orleans. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: August 15
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, along with 10 copies of that issue. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $21 Deadline: August 31
Glimmer Train Very Short Fiction Contest
Don’t worry, this isn’t a typo! 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
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 novel, playwriting, poetry, and more. Applications must include personal information, artistic information, and a portfolio. Submission guidelines 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
by Kimberly Guerin