It’s time for summer to really get started, and you can start riding that wave as well! Grab your favorite stories, polish them up, and send them off to one of these great contests!
FEATURED! Spring 2022 Memoir Prize
Narratively, the storytelling platform and production company, has put out the call for a revealing and emotional first-person nonfiction narrative! They want an honest in-depth glimpse into your life, between 2000 and 7000 words. The Grand Prize winner receives $3000, and two finalists receive $1000 each. All three top entries will also be published, and Narratively will work to adapt the stories into larger projects. Judged by the great Ashley C. Ford, Nicole Rocklin, and Glynn Washington. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 27
Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize
American Short Fiction and wonderful judge Kristen Arnett are looking for writers who are confident, concise, and creative – could that be you? Stories must be between 2000 and 6500 words, but multiple entries are allowed. First place receives $2500 and guaranteed publication in an upcoming issue. Additionally, the continued partnership with Tasajillo Residency means that the winner will also receive an all-expenses-paid writing retreat! Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1
Salamander 2021 Fiction Prize
Offered through Suffolk University, Salamander is working with Jamie Quatro to discover amazing new fiction! Each submission must be less than 30 pages, include a two-page cover sheet, and be entirely unpublished. First prize is $1000, second prize is $500, and all entries are considered for publication. Learn more here.
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: June 1
Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction
This annual short fiction contest is made possible through the generous support of the McGlinn and Hansma families, and they are looking for superbly crafted short stories! The winner will receive $2500 and an award dinner on the campus of Rosemont College, second place receives $750, and third place receives $500. Entries should be 8000 words or less, and simultaneous submissions are allowed. More here!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: June 15
New American Fiction Prize
If you have an unpublished fiction manuscript, then this is opportunity knocking! New American Press and Weike Wang are currently accepting submissions for this prize. A full-length fiction work of outstanding merit will be selected, and the winner will receive a publication contract, including a $1500 advance, 25 author’s copies, and promotional support. Do it!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: June 15
Spokane Prize for Short Fiction
Willow Springs Books could be the perfect home for your newest manuscript of short stories, if you have enough nerve to try! Each submission needs to contain at least three distinct stories, totalling at least 98 pages, as well as a cover letter. First place wins $2000 and publication, under the direction of poet Christopher Howell. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $27.50 Deadline: June 15
Aura Estrada Short Story Contest
In memory of Aura Estrada, Boston Review is honoring her story by supporting other emerging writers. Any author writing in English is eligible, although entries should not exceed 5000 words in length and must be unpublished. All entries must deal with this year’s theme of Speculation, in whatever way best resonates with them. Jordy Rosenberg is judging, and the winning author will receive $1000 and publication! Submission details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 30
Bard Fiction Prize
This amazing prize is offered to a promising emerging writer through Bard College, and the winners receive a stipend of $30,000, an appointment as writer-in-residence on campus for one semester, and the opportunity to give a public lecture. Be aware, though, they’re looking for writers who are 39 years old or younger. You’ll need to have published a book in order to apply, but this is the chance of a lifetime! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: June 30
Barrow Street Press Book Contest
If you have been hoping for a chance to show the world your talent for poetry, your wait is definitely over with this competition! Judged by the incomparable Tina Chang, the best previously unpublished manuscript of poetry in English will receive $1500 and publication. Each collection should be between 50-80 pages, but you are allowed multiple submissions. Don’t wait!
Entry Fee: $28 Deadline: June 30
Drue Heinz Literature Prize
This contest has some very stringent requirements, but the prize is almost beyond belief! In order to be eligible for the University of Pittsburgh Press’ award, you must have been published by a reputable journal, magazine, or publisher, before you can submit your collection of short fiction for consideration. The winner of this award, however, will have that manuscript published, and then receive $15,000! Details here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: June 30
Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction
The University of North Texas Press offers this prize every year, and this could be the year for you! Entries can be a combination of flash fiction, short stories, and novellas, from 100 to 200 book pages in length. Authors may submit multiple applications, and simultaneous submissions are allowed. The winner receives $1000 and publication by UNT Press! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: June 30
2022 LAR Literary Awards
Here is a great chance for writers of all stripes, as the Los Angeles Review’s contest rewards authors in creative nonfiction, short fiction, flash fiction, and poetry! Chelsea Catherine judges creative nonfiction, Landon Houle judges short fiction, Thea Prieto judges flash fiction, and Joshua Rivkin judges poetry. The winner in each category receives $1000 and publication – Make sure you submit to the correct category! Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 30
Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction
If you think you’re ready to medal in writing flash fiction, then this is the contest for you! The Lascaux Review is accepting three stories per submission, less than 1000 words each. All finalists in this contest will be published, but the winner also receives $1000 and a bronze medallion for their efforts. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: June 30
by Kimberly Guerin