We all know that April is the cruelest month, but the more optimistic of us also know that its showers bring May flowers, so set a goal to submit to any of these ten literary contests with deadlines this month, and see what blooms.
New South – Two prizes of $1000 each are given annually for a poem and a short story or essay by this journal based at Georgia State University. This year the prose award is judged by acclaimed author and Best New American Stories vet Rebecca Makkai. Check it out. Entry Fee: $15 Due April 15
Crab Orchard Review – Three prizes of $2000 each are given to the winner of their contests in Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction. Winners are guaranteed publication in the Winter/Spring issue of COR. Finalists are awarded $500 and an offer of publication. Go for it. Entry Fee: $15 Due April 21
Sixfold – This unique contest offers prizes up to $1000 for a short story or group of up to 5 poems. Judging is done via 3 rounds of voting from the hundreds of writers who have entered the contest. Turnaround for entries is a quick 36 days. Sounds fun! Details here. Entry Fee: $5 Due April 23
DIAGRAM – The New Michigan Press/DIAGRAM offers their annual Chapbook Contest. The winner receives $1000 plus publication for a short manuscript of prose, poetry, or some combination between 18 and 44 pages. Finalist chapbooks are also considered for publication. Entry Fee: $18 Due April 27
Bath Short Story Contest – This upstart literary publication is hosting the third year of its International Short Story Competition for stories up to 2200 words in length. The first place prize is £1000. Second and third places are awarded £200 and £100 respectively. Guidelines here. Entry Fee: £8 Due April 27
Nimrod International Journal – Two prizes of $2000 each plus publication in NIJ are awarded to works of poetry (3-10 pp) and fiction (7500 words). In addition, winners are given transportation and lodging to attend the awards ceremony and writing contest in Tulsa, OK in October. Runners-up get $1000 plus publication in NIJ. Inquire within. Entry Fee: $20 Due April 30
Glimmer Train – This month the Portland journal runs their Very Short Fiction Contest for works of fiction up to 3000 words in length. Winners are awarded $1500 plus publication and 20 copies of the prize issue. Entry Fee: $15 Due April 30
Winning Writers – Two prizes of $1500 each are given for a short story and an essay. Arthur Powers will judge. Winners are published on the Winning Writers website. Ten honorable mentions will receive $100 each. Check it. Entry Fee: $16 Due April 30
Willow Books – Two prizes of $1500 each are awarded for a poetry collection and a book of fiction or creative nonfiction. The winners will be invited to give a reading at the University of New Haven. Judged by Ruth Ellen Kocher and Andrew X. Pham. Details here. Entry Fee: $25 Due April 30
Late Night Library – The “Debut-lizer Prize” is awarded to debut novels, short story collections, and novellas. A debut is defined as a first book published within the entry category. Winning authors are awarded a prize of $1000 and a featured appearance on Late Night Conversation, a podcast featuring conversations with publishers, authors, editors, and others. Enter here. Entry Fee: $25 Due April 30
Electric Literature – Our friends over at Electric Literature are open for submissions for one month only. Get your story in by the end of the month for a chance to be featured in their Recommended Reading series. No Entry Fee. Due April 30
by Alex Fulton