We may be getting more rain than snow this winter, but keep your head (and hood) held up high! Curl up with a hot drink, polish up your favorite writing pieces, and find a new home for them in one of these contests!
American Short(er) Fiction Prize
American Short Fiction and judge Danielle Dutton are looking for writers who know their way around flash fiction – could that be you? Stories must be less than 1000 words, but multiple entries are allowed! First place receives $1000 and guaranteed publication, second place receives $750, and all entries are considered for publication. Details here.
Entry Fee: $17 Deadline: February 1
There’s only a little time left to enter Southern Indiana Review’s writing contest for poetry collections! Judged by Michael Waters himself, the first-place winner is awarded $4000 and their collection will be published by Southern Indiana Review Press. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $35 Deadline: February 1
Nelson Algren Short Story Award
Held annually since 1981, the Chicago Tribune’s prize is a nationally recognized contest for original short fiction. Named for the Chicago literary great Nelson Algren, it has been presented to a number of distinguished authors, and you could be next! Stories must be fiction, less than 8000 words, and completely original. The grand prize winner will receive $3500, five finalists will receive $750, and all entries are considered for publication. Check it out!
Entry Fee: FREE 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 fiction and literary nonfiction writers over the age of 21 who are not enrolled in a college or university. You’ll need a 20 page sample of your prose, but this could be the opportunity for you! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: February 1
If you want to be a part of history, now is the time to enter Cagibi’s new contest – you could be published in their very first print issue! There are three categories, in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and they’re interested in writing with quirky personalities and unexpected directions. Chantel Acevedo judges fiction, Major Jackson judges poetry, and Sheila Kohler judges nonfiction. Prose may be up to 4000 words, and up to three poems may be submitted. First place in each category receives $100 and publication, but all entries are considered for publication! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: February 15
Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction
Sarabande Books is celebrating 25 years of publishing excellence, and you can be a part of the celebration! Their contest is open to any short fiction writer in English, and submissions can vary from short story collections to novellas. Judged by Sarabande’s founders Sarah Gorham and Jeffrey Skinner, they’re awarding $2000, publication of the manuscript, a Sarabande Writing Residency, and a standard royalty contract to the winner! All finalists are considered for publication. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $28 Deadline: February 15
William Van Dyke Short Story Prize
If you have a story to tell, Ruminate wants to hear it! The first-place prize is $1500 and publication, and the runner-up receives $200 and publication. Submissions need to be 5500 words or less, but there are no limits on the number of entries per person. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 15
This annual contest from Fish Publishing is a true challenge – can you write a compelling and resolved story in 300 words or less? Judged by Pamela Painter, first place receives $1354 and publication, and the other nine finalists are published as well. See more here!
Entry Fee: $19 Deadline: February 28
Occurring twice a year, this is the winter 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 28,000 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: February 28
Glimmer Train Very Short Fiction Contest
Don’t worry, it’s alright to do a double take! 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, and second place receives $500. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $16 Deadline: February 28
This is the second year for Red Hen Press’ contest, whose prize is for any and all women writers with a previously unpublished, original work of prose! Acceptable submissions include novels, short story collections, memoirs, and essay collections, between 45,000 and 80,000 words. The winner, selected by judge Elizabeth Bradfield, receives $1000 and publication by Red Hen Press. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: February 28
by Kimberly Guerin