October hosts an awesome number of opportunities for writers. Here are 13 (spooky!) of our favorite deadlines.
FEATURED: Frontier Poetry Award for New Poets
The deadline for Frontier Poetry’s contest for emerging poets is only a few days away! Don’t miss the chance to have your poem read by 2017 Pulitzer Prize winner and guest judge Tyehimba Jess. Top prize is $2000 plus publication, so for more details and to submit your poems, go here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: September 30
American Literary Review Awards
In this threefold contest offered by American Literary Review, contestants can submit manuscript entries for short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry! Submissions may be up to 8000 words for short fiction, 6500 words for creative nonfiction, or up to three poems, and the winner of each contest receives $1000 and publication. Learn more here.
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: October 1
Aura Estrada Short Story Contest
In memory of Aura Estrada, Boston Review is honouring her memory by supporting other emerging writers. Any author writing in English is eligible, although entries should not exceed 5000 words in length. Viet Thanh Nguyen is judging, and the winning author will receive $1500 and publication! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: October 1
Short Short Fiction Prize
If you believe brevity is the soul of wit, and you’re able to prove it, this is the contest for you! The Southampton Review is accepting submissions under 350 words, and the winner of their contest receives $350 and publication. Second and third place are also rewarded, and entrants may submit as many times as they like. Don’t miss out!
Entry Fee: $5 Deadline: October 1
Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize
In this threefold contest offered by The Missouri Review, contestants can submit entries for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Not only do the winners in each contest receive $5000 and publication, but there is also a reception and reading in their honor! Make sure to choose the correct category when you submit, and good luck! More details here.
Entry Fee: $22 Deadline: October 2
Mary C. Mohr Awards
All three of the Southern Indiana Review’s contests are ending this month, so enter now if you want to receive one of the three $2000 first-place prizes! Susan Perabo is judging the fiction section, Maggie Smith is judging the poetry section, and Reginald Dwayne Betts is judging the nonfiction applicants. All of the winners and a selection of the runners up will be published! See more here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: October 2
Zoetrope: All-Story Short Fiction Competition
This contest is open to all genres of literary fiction, with no formatting restrictions! The entries need to be less than 5,000 words and previously unpublished, and will be judged by Maile Meloy. First prize is $1000, second is $500, and third is $250. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: October 2
A Public Space Emerging Writer Fellowships
This amazing fellowship will be awarded to three writers, who will each receive $1000, publication, mentorship, and a free workspace in New York City. They’re looking for writers who have not yet published or been contracted to write a book-length work, and that could be you! Submit here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: October 15
Amy Lowell Poetry Traveling Scholarship
There is no better chance for American poets who wish to travel than this opportunity, and it’s not too late! Applicants must send in an application and a 40-page poetry sample to the Trustees at the law firm Choate, Hall & Stewart, who will choose up to two recipients. The winner must then leave North America for an entire year, produce at least three poems, and will then be awarded $58,000. Find out more here!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: October 15
Emerging Writer’s Prize in Fiction
The Arkansas International is currently accepting submissions for their contest, but all good things will eventually come to an end. Entries are only open to writers without a full-length book, and must be less than 7500 words. The winning prose piece will be chosen by ZZ Packer, and will receive $1000 and publication. Don’t lose your chance!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: October 15
2017 Memoir Award
Kore Press is currently accepting submissions for our 2017 Memoir Award judged by Cheryl Strayed! The winner will receive a $1000 prize plus publication of a full-length memoir, or memoir in essays. More information about the judging and guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $27.50 Deadline: October 31
Black River Chapbook Competition
Black Lawrence Press presents a great opportunity for poets and fiction writers with short manuscripts! The contest is open to new, emerging, and experienced writers, whose entries will be read blind by the panel of editors. The winner is awarded $500, publication, and 10 copies of their book. Guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: October 31
Kathy Fish Fellowship
Given by SmokeLong Quarterly, this program honors former editor Kathy Fish, a champion for new and emerging writers. Applications must include a short bio and four examples of your flash fiction. The winner will be considered the “writer in residence” for four issues, have the opportunity to work with staff, and receive $500. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $5 Deadline: October 31
Short Story Award for New Writers
Occurring three times a year, this is the fall installment of Glimmer Train’s contest! It’s only open to writers whose fiction has not appeared in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000, and entries are capped at 12,000 words. The winner receives $2500 and publication in Glimmer Train Stories, along with 10 copies of that issue. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: October 31
by Kimberly Guerin