August Deadlines: 10 Literary Prizes Available This Month

July 28, 2021

It would be disingenuous to say that it’s going to cool down any time soon, and staring at the thermometer isn’t going to change anything… Instead, focus your energy on entering one of these contests, a completely achievable goal!

FEATURED! Summer Short Story Award for New Writers

Our contest is coming to a close, but it’s not too late! The Masters Review is looking for stories under 6000 words, written by emerging writers who are good with grammar and show finesse with fiction! The winner receives $3000, publication, and agency review, and the runners-up also receive cash prizes, publication, and review. Judged by Kristen Arnett. Don’t miss your chance! Details here.

Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 30

Gival Press Short Story Award

This is the 18th annual award given by Gival Press, to the author of an outstanding and unpublished original stand-alone short story. It is open to writers globally, regardless of publishing history. The winner will be published on the website, and possibly in a future anthology, with a cash award of $1000. More details here.

Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: August 8

Stories That Need to Be Told: The Contest

Presented by TulipTree Press, the best entry for this contest is a submission that truly tells a story. The grand prize is $1000 and a gift certificate for two years of Duotrope. Additional prizes are offered to stories that excel in humor, passion, depth, and love. Entries must be less than 10,000 words, but multiple entries are allowed. Learn more here!

Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 9

2021 ½ K Prize

Indiana Review and judge Taylor Johnson 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! All genres are accepted, and first place receives $1000 and guaranteed publication in Indiana Review! Details here.

Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 15

2021 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 flash fiction, prose poems, or micro-essays, but they all need to be less than 500 words. The winner receives $1000 and publication, and it’s judged by Molly McCully Brown! Apply here!

Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 31

Blue Mesa Review Contest

There are actually three contests offered here, looking for fresh prose and powerful poetry! The judges are Natalie Scenters-Zapico for poetry, Kim Barnes for nonfiction, and Zeyn Joukhadar for fiction. Submissions may be up to 6000 words, or up to 3 poems, and the winner of each contest receives $500 and publication. Make sure to select the correct contest for your submission! More details here.

Entry Fee: $12 Deadline: August 31

Kenneth Patchen Award

If you have an innovative yet unpublished fiction manuscript, you must have been waiting for this contest! The Journal of Experimental Fiction is currently accepting submissions for this prize. An innovative full-length fiction work will be selected, and the winner will receive publication and $1000. Do it!

Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: August 31

Poetry and Short Fiction Prizes

In these contests offered by Kallisto Gaia Press, contestants can submit entries for short fiction or poetry. The two winners of the Chester B. Himes Memorial Short Fiction Prize and the Julia Darling Memorial Poetry Prize will receive $1000 and publication in The Ocotillo Review.  Make sure to choose the correct category when you submit, and good luck! Submission information here.

Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 31

2021 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 $10,000 advance and a publishing contract, along with promotion from The Publishing Laboratory at the University of New Orleans. Submit here!

Entry Fee: $28 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: $27 Deadline: August 31

by Kimberly Guerin

 

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At The Masters Review, our mission is to support emerging writers. We only accept submissions from writers who can benefit from a larger platform: typically, writers without published novels or story collections or with low circulation. We publish fiction and nonfiction online year-round and put out an annual anthology of the ten best emerging writers in the country, judged by an expert in the field. We publish craft essays, interviews and book reviews and hold workshops that connect emerging and established writers.



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