Temperatures have certainly started rising, but there’s no excuse for falling into the summer doldrums just yet…These contests should kick your mind into high gear, and you can truly relax once you’ve submitted your best work!

OPEN SOON! Short Story Award for New Writers

Our own contest is just about to begin, and we’re here to give you an excellent head start! The Masters Review is looking for stories under 7000 words, written by emerging writers who have a knack for nouns and a facility with phrases! The winner receives $3000, publication, and agency review, and the runners-up also receive cash prizes, publication, and review. Don’t let this chance slip by! Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: July 31

Boston Review Annual Poetry Contest

Now open, Boston Review’s Annual Poetry Contest is a big one, with the winner receiving $1500 and publication. Submissions should be kept to five poems, on ten pages or less, and any poet writing in English is eligible! Judged by the astute and insightful Mary Jo Bang. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1

Thomas A. Wilhelmus Short Prose Award

There’s only a little time left to enter Southern Indiana Review’s writing contest for short prose! Each submission should only be 40-80 pages, whether it is a novella, a novel excerpt, or a creative nonfiction piece. The first-place winner is awarded $2000 and their collection will be published by Southern Indiana Review Press. Judged by David H. Lynn. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1

Salamander Fiction Prize

Offered through Suffolk University, Salamander is working with Molly Antopol 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 Each submission must be less than 30 pages, include a two-page cover sheet, and be entirely unpublished.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. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: June 4

Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize

American Short Fiction and brilliant judge ZZ Packer 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! Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 15

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 15

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