Many plants and animals are still in hibernation mode, but here are some great opportunities for you to shake off those winter doldrums! They cover a wide range of literary types, so make sure to check them all out!
FEATURED! Winter Short Story Award for New Writers
Last call for The Masters Review‘s Winter Short Story Award for New Writers! We’re looking for emerging writers who can take chances and be bold. Entries may be fiction or creative nonfiction, and they must be under 6,000 words. The winner receives $3,000, publication, and agency review, and the runners-up also receive cash prizes, publication, and agency review. Judged by Bret Anthony Johnston. Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 2
American Short(er) Fiction Prize
American Short Fiction and judge Tony Tulathimutte are looking for writers who know their way around flash fiction—could that be you? Stories must be under 1,500 words, but multiple entries are allowed! First place receives $1,000 and guaranteed publication, and all entries are considered for publication. Details here.
Entry Fee: $18 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 $5,000 and four months of lodging. They’re looking for writers in any creative genre in the literary arts, who are over the age of twenty-one but not enrolled in a college or university. You’ll need a twenty page sample of your prose, but this could be the opportunity for you! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: February 1
Slippery Elm Prize
This annual contest from Slippery Elm Literary Journal wants to find the best in both poetry and prose! Timothy Geiger and Lara Lillibridge are judging the applications, with a three poem or a 5,000 word maximum per entry. The winner of each contest receives $1,000, and all entries are considered for publication in the 2025 print issue. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: February 1
Michael Waters Poetry Prize
There’s only a little time left to enter Southern Indiana Review’s writing contest for poetry collections! Entries must be written in English and be fewer than 100 pages. Judged by Monica Youn, the first-place winner is awarded $6,000 and their collection will be published by Southern Indiana Review Press. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $35 Deadline: February 3
The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction
Sarabande Books has opened their annual contest, but the time is already ticking down! Their contest is open to any short fiction writer in English, and submissions can vary from short story collections to novellas. Judged by Ed Park, they’re awarding $2,000, publication of the winning manuscript, and a standard royalty contract! All finalists are considered for publication. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $34 Deadline: February 15
Autumn House Press Fiction Prize
Applicants for this prize are asked to submit unpublished full-length fiction manuscripts. The final judge is Alexandra Kleeman. The winner receives publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $35 Deadline: February 28
Flash Fiction Prize
This annual contest from Fish Publishing is a true challenge—can you write a compelling and resolved story in 300 words or fewer? Judged by Tania Hershman, first place receives $1,130 and publication, and the other nine finalists are published as well. See more here!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 28
Women’s Prose Prize
Here is a contest for any and all writers who identify as women, who have a previously unpublished, original work of prose! Acceptable submissions include novels, short story collections, memoirs, and essay collections, between 25,000 and 80,000 words. The winner, selected by Alyssa Graybeal, receives $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press. Learn more here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 28
by Kimberly Guerin