2012 Writing Contests

I apologize for the long hiatus. Whether you've also been on a bit of a writing break or are still going full speed ahead (perhaps pumping out one of the infamous NaNoWriMo books for November) check out some writing contests to spark your creativity and perhaps bring some publication and prizes! 

Writing Contests

November Deadlines:

Bacopa Literary Review: Accepts fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Deadline: Nov. 30th

BOA Editions A. Poulin Jr. Poetry Prize: Accepts books of poetry: Deadline: Nov. 30th

The Caribbean Writer Literary Review: Accepts poetry and fiction. Deadline: Nov. 30th

Fish Publishing Short Story Contest: Deadline: Nov. 30th

Glimmer Train Short Story Award for New Writers: Deadline: Nov. 30th

WOW Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest: Deadline: Nov. 30th

December Deadlines

The Fiddlehead's 22nd Annual Literary Contest: Accepts poetry and short stories: Deadline: Dec 1st

Saints and Sinners Short Fiction Contest: Deadline: Dec. 3rd

Perfume River Poetry Review: Accepts poetry. Deadline: Dec.  15th

Crab Creek Review's 2012 Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 15th

Toasted Cheese Literary Journal: Short stories on the theme Heart and Soul: Deadline Dec. 21st

Anderbo RRofihe Trophy Short Story Contest: Deadline Dec. 31st

Dzanc Books Short Story Collection Contest: Deadline: Dec. 31st

Omnidawn Publishing Poetry Contests: Deadline: Dec 31st
 
River Styx 2013 Schlafly Beer Micro-Fiction Contest: Deadline: Dec. 31st

Suspense Magazine 2012 Writing Contest: Deadline: Dec. 31st 

 

 

 

Writing Contests for July and August

Writing contests are less about prizes than they are about learning. When we write and submit to a contest, we're putting our writing on the line and often stretching ourselves to write within a new genre, category or on a topic that is potentially unfamiliar. Admittedly, I can be a tremendous slacker when it comes to writing contests and often veer towards the free ones, but I read an interesting article recently by LinDee Rochelle, the founder of Women Writers Worldwide, who spoke of writing contests as comparable to mini seminars. She cited a variety of perks to entering writing contests from helping to blast writer's block to assisting aspiring writer's with learning to deal with deadlines (read the full article here).

Find out how writing contests help you grow by entering one of the many contests available in July and August...

Deadline: July 31st

Adirondack Review: Fulton Prize for Short Fiction: Reading Fee $10

The Antigonish Review: Sheldon Currie Fiction Prize: Reading Fee  $30

Bright Hill Press: Poetry Chapbook Competition: Reading Fee $15

Creative Nonfiction: True Stories on Topic Southern Sin: Fee $20

Munster Literature Center: Sean O'Faolain Short Story Competition: Reading Fee $20

White Pine Press: Poetry Prize: Reading Fee $20

Deadline : August 1st

Gazing Grain Press: Feminist Poetry Chapbook Contest: $20

Geist: Erasure Poetry Contest: No Fee

Rattle: 2012 Rattle Poetry Prize: Reading Fee $18

Terrain: Poetry, Fiction and Nonfiction Contest: Reading Fee $10

Deadline: August 15th

The Aurorean: Under Graduate/Graduate Haiku: No Fee

Gigiantic Sequins: Poetry and Flash Fiction Contest: Reading Fee $5

Littoral Press: Poetry Prize: Reading Fee $10

Subito Press: Poetry and Fiction Contest: Reading Fee $20

Deadline: August 31st

Black Lawrence Press: Unpublished Collection of Poetry or Short Stories: Reading Fee $25

Bona Fide Books: The Melissa Lanitis Gregory Poetry Prize: Reading Fee $20

Gemini Magazine: Flash Fiction Contest: Reading Fee $4

Glimmer Train: Short Story Award for New Writers: Reading Fee $15

Graywolf Press: Nonfiction Prize: No Fee

NANO Prize: NANO Fiction Prize: Reading Fee $15

WOW Women on Writing: Flash Fiction: Reading Fee $10

A word is a bud attempting to become a twig. How can one not dream while writing? It is the pen which dreams. The blank page gives the right to dream. -Gaston Bachelard

Writing Jobs for Thursday June 21st

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Liberal Arts Grad Writers: Ann Arbor

Medical Copywriter: Ann Arbor

Writer: U of M Ann Arbor

Interview Writers: Detroit Area

Digital Host: Detroit Area

Editorial Assistant: Farmington Hills

Marketing Firm Hiring: Grand Rapids 

Editorial Content Leader: Grand Rapids 

Database Report Writer: Grand Rapids

Editor and Executive Assistant: Grand Rapids

Blogging Writers: Holland

Creative Writer: Houghton

Kent County Star Writers: Kent County

Junior Copywriter: Livonia

Full Time Copywriter: Livonia

Advertising Copywriter: Midland

Service Writer: Monroe

Interactive Marketing Specialist: New Buffalo

Editing and Proofreading Help: Troy

Newsroom Clerk: Saint Joseph

Telecommute - Writing Jobs from Home

Public Relations Freelancer

Golf Writers

Blogger with Home Security Background

Grant Writers

Freelance Writers

Online Content Writer

SEO Copywriter for Law Firm

Site Director for KinderStart

Freelance Journalists

Superstar Business Plan Writer

Freelance Writers for List Website

Professional Editor for Academic Thesis

Unpaid Writing Gigs, Internships and Submissions

Editorial Manager: Ann Arbor

Activist Writers

Travel Show Host Writers

Social Media Interns

The writer has a grudge against society, which he documents with accounts of unsatisfying sex, unrealized ambition, unmitigated loneliness, and a sense of local and global distress. The square, overpopulation, the bourgeois, the bomb and the cocktail party are variously identified as sources of the grudge. There follows a little obscenity here, a dash of philosophy there, considerable whining overall, and a modern satirical novel is born. -Renata Adler

Writing Jobs for Tuesday May15th

Writing jobs are often not easy to come by, but if you get creative, you can make it work. Check out some recent postings for writing jobs in Michigan, home writing gigs and internships. 

Writing Jobs in Michigan 

News Team Analysis: Ann Arbor

Web Editing and Production Assistant: Ann Arbor

Copywriter Needed: Birmingham

Paid Journalism Internship: Detroit

Environmental Reporter: Detroit

Quizzle Copywriter: Detroit

Business Reporter: Detroit

Marketing Writer Wanted: Detroit

Web Content Writer: Keego Harbor

Library Assistant: Manistee

Grant Writer: Muskegon

Marketing Content Specialist: Okemos

Freelance Writers: Saginaw

Telecommute Writing Jobs

Web Research and Summaries

Medical Writer Needed

Search Engine Evaluator

Current Events News Writers

Need Talented Blog Writer

Web Community Needs MacGyver

Web Content Editing

Grant Writer

Freelance Spanish Proofreading

Freelance French Proofreading

Transcribers

Article Writers

Talented Copywriter for Motivational Seminar Co.

Unpaid Writing Jobs and Internships 

Comedy Show Writers: Ann Arbor

Social Media and Marketing Intern: Detroit

Copywriting and Blogging Summer Internship: Keego Harbor

Medical Marijuana Writers

...it will not always happen that the success of a poet is proportionate to his labor.

- Samuel Johnson

Upcoming Writing Contests in 2012

Spring is here -  a time for rebirth and for many writers a spike in motivation. As winter releases her final grappling hold, we begin to see again the life that lays dormant during those barren, chilly months. Of course this year, our usually frozen scape was accentuated by hot sunny days in February and spring-like weekends in December. No less, we move with the rhythms of the earth and today she is telling us that Spring is returning. The rain of the last several days has made everything greener and more vibrant - the perfect sight to induce our creativity and lure us back to our pens, typewriters and keyboards.

Check out some upcoming writing contests below.

Free Writing Contests

AuthorStand Free Writing Contest: Short stories 1,500 to 10,000 words. Deadline May 10th.

The Vocabula Well Written Writing Contest: 200 to 500 words of beautiful writing. Deadline May 31st.

Writing Contests that Include a Reading Fee

Empirical Magazine Spring Writing Contest: Up to three short stories. Fees range. Deadline May 15th.

Abandoned Towers Magazine Writing Contest: Fiction, poetry or flash fiction on the theme Abandoned Towers. Fees vary by category. Deadline May 18th.

Work Magazine Employee of the Year Contest: Work related memoir. Fee $10. Deadline May 18th.

The New Letter Literary Awards: Prizes for poetry, essay and fiction. Deadline May 18th.

Redivider Beacon Street Prize: Best story and poetry. Fee $15. Deadline May 30th.

Pecan Grove Press- The H. Palmer Hall Prize for Short Fiction: Short story manuscripts between 125 and 150 pages. Fee $15. Deadline May 30th.

Writer's Journal Short Story Contest: Short story of 2,000 words or less. Fee $10. Deadline May 30th.

Glimmer Train Short Story Award: Short stories. Fee $15. Deadline is May 31st.

Spilling Ink Short Story Prize: Short story of 1,500 words or less. Fee $10. Deadline May 31st.

The Backwater Prize: Manuscript of original poems. Fee $25. Deadline May 31st.

Calyx- 2012 Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize: Up to 3 unpublished poems. Fee $15. Deadline May 31st.

Crab Creek Review Poetry Contest: Up to 3 unpublished poems. Fee $10. Deadline May 31st.

Pearl- 2012 Pearl Poetry Prize: 48 to 64 pages of original poetry. Fee $25. Deadline May 31st.

WOW Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest: Open prompt fiction of no more than 750 words. Fee $10. Deadline May 31st.

Tiferet Journal Writing Contest: Spiritually focused fiction, poetry and nonfiction. $20 Fee. Deadline June 1st.

Nilsen Prize for a First Novel: Full length fiction manuscript. Fee $25. Postmark by November 1st.

Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.

- Jane Yolen

Writing Jobs for Tuesday April 10th

Writing Jobs in Michigan, From Home and Calls for Submissions!

Michigan Writing Jobs

Copywriter: Ada

Historians Writers: Ann Arbor

Copywriter for Medical Company: Ann Arbor

Reporter: Battle Creek

Technical Writer: Dearborn

Art Director/Creative Manager: Detroit

Copy Editor: Grand Rapids

High School Sports Reporters: Grand Rapids

Marketing Position: Kentwood

Publicity and Editing for Small Author (unique compensation): Northwoods

Creative Ad Writers: Oakland County

Ebay Listing Assistant: Oakland County

Article and Essay Writers: Oakland County


SEO Copywriter: Royal Oak

Book Editing: Royal Oak

News Writer/Producer: Southfield

ConnectCare Report Writer: St. Joseph

Telecommute Writing Gigs

Educational Content

Article Help

Television Transcription

Copy Editor/Writer

Rewrite Travel Articles

Freelance Project

Article and Blog Writers

Blogging Internships

TMT Reporter

Submissions and Unpaid Gigs

Music Website Writers: Paid in Music

Middle Eastern Women's Lit. Journal Seeks Contributions

Call for Fiction and Poetry Submissions

Play Submissions for African American Production

Manuscripts Wanted

It is perfectly okay to write garbage--as long as you edit brilliantly.

- C. J. Cherryh

Writing Happenings in Michigan

Well I have done that passionate writerly pursuit of procrastination and thus have not posted writing events in Michigan for longer than I can remember. I have a myriad of excuses including the publication of my first novel Ula:Born of Shadows, a move down state, a new job doing copy writing and SEO for a local realtor among other things. In truth, I have allowed many of my writing endeavors to slide into the gutter where they've festered with banana peels and coffee grounds.

Since my own 2012 writing goals include attending writing events, book signings and marketing - no matter how much the recluse in me wants merely to draw the curtains and read one of my tattered Stephen King novels, ice cream stained and dog-eared to tatters. So let's do this together, this social writing stuff. Find writing events in Michigan below...

A Rally for Writers: Delta Township (Lansing Area): April 14th

• Day long writing conference with 16 sessions including writers, poets, teachers, editors and publishers discussing writing. Cost: $70 

WSU 7th Annual Made in Michigan Writers Series: Wayne State University: April 17th

• Features new books from Michigan authors, author readings and book signings. 

Mid Michigan Romance Writers 'Retreat from Harsh Reality': April 27-29

• Romance writers retreat featuring guest authors, workshops, critiques and more. 

Peninsula Writers Spring Fling: Grand Rapids: May 5th 

• Day long writing conference at Schuler Books on the topic publishing. 

Grant Writing Class: Detroit: May 3-4 

• Learn to write grants. For beginning and experienced grant writers. Cost: $425 

Bear River Writer's Conference: Camp Michigania: May 31-June 4

• Workshops in fiction, poetry, memoir and essay. 

Author Signings: Since there are so many of these, I have simply linked to a variety of Michigan book stores where you can meet authors and purchase signed books. Check them out and support your writing comrades. 

Nicola's Books: Ann Arbor 

Horizon Books: Traverse City, Petoskey and Cadillac 

Literary Life Bookstore: Grand Rapids 

Kazoo Books: Kalamazoo 

Bestsellers Books and Coffee: Mason 

Mclean & Eakin Bookstore: Petoskey 

The road to ignorance is paved with good editors.

- George Bernard Shaw

Writing Jobs for Thursday March 15th

Writing Jobs in Michigan 

Washtenaw Community College Writing Instructor: Ann Arbor

Webmaster Word Press: Clarkston

Website Content Creation: Dearborn

Proposal Writer: Detroit

Researcher and Writing Star: Grand Rapids

Web Specialist: Grand Rapids

Online Media Specialist: Grand Rapids

Play Writer: Grand Rapids

Senior Writer/Instructional Designer: Rochester Hills

Experienced Script Writer: Rochester Hills

Web Marketing Specialist: Southeast MI

Copy Writers and Editors: St. Louis, MI

Telecommute Writing Gigs 

Content Manager/Writer for Automotive Website

Oncology Editor

Blog Writers

Freelance Copy Editors


Contract Resume Writers

Education Writers

Grant Writer

Unpaid Writing Gigs 

Medical Marijuana Writers: Detroit

Lyricist Wanted: Ludington

Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Will Post Soon

Writers I am so sorry for my absence. My book Ula: Born of Shadows is getting published this month and I have also been traveling in Florida. You will see new job postings soon. Thanks for your patience!

Writing Jobs for Saturday February 11th, 2012

Writers - I apologize for not posting jobs last weekend. I came down with the flu, followed by a cold and am now beginning to feel like a healthy human again. Take a look below for the newest writing jobs and gigs.

Writing Jobs in Michigan 

Admin. Assistant (Lit. Reviews): Ann Arbor

Marketing Assistant/Junior Copywriter: Ann Arbor

Grant Writer: Ann Arbor

Researcher/Logistics Manager: Ann Arbor/Telecommute

Part-Time News Service Communications Specialist: Big Rapids

Marketer with SEO Experience: Canton

Report Writer: Detroit

Technical Writer: East Lansing

SEO Copywriter: Flint

E-Commerce Copywriter" Grand Rapids

Ghostwriters Wanted: Kalamazoo/Telecommute

Web Editor/Content Manager: Keego Harbor

Researcher and Writer: Lansing

Web Help Needed: Muskegon

Web Content Writer: Rochester

Service Writer: Saint Johns

Talented Writers: Southfield

Telecommute Writing Gigs 

News Stories Writers

Activist Writers

Home Based Writer and Customer Service

Editor for Financial Newsletter

Tax Accounting Article Writer

Fashion/Lifestyle Blogger

Family Bloggers

SEO Report Writers

Creative Writer Gig for Undergrad or Grad

Freelance Medical Copywriter

Copy editor

Unpaid Writing Gigs, Writing Submissions and Internships 

Sports Website Writer

Editorial Intern: Ann Arbor

Bridal Blogger Contest

Poetry Competition

Blogging Internship: Troy

Wrestling Bloggers

Detroit Live Magazine Bloggers

Book Publisher Seeks Submissions

The artist is not a person endowed with free will who seeks his own ends, but one who allows art to realize its supreme purpose through him.

- Carl Jung

Writing Jobs for Sunday January 29th, 2012

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Grant Writer: Albion

Liberal Arts Grad Writing Position: Ann Arbor

Michigan Today Editor: Ann Arbor

Senior Copywriter: Bloomfield Hills

Marketing and Promotions Assistant: Brooklyn

Copy and Graphic Designer: Commerce

Plucky Magazine Writer: Dearborn

English Tutor: Dearborn

Hear Magazine is Hiring: Detroit

Grant Writer: Detroit

Technical Writer: Fremont

Editor: Grand Haven

Web Content Author: Grand Rapids

Reporter: Grand Rapids

Full Time SEO Guru: Grand Rapids

Editor/Writer: Holland

Assoc. Professor of English: Muskegon

Social Media Marketing Specialist: Oakland

Editor: Southfield

Social Media Specialist: Tri County

Online Game Site Writers/Editors

Violin Blogger: Wyoming/Telecommute

Telecommute Writing Jobs

Finance Writer

Blogger 

Tech/Gadget Writer

LGBT Contributing Writers

Academic Writing

Professional Resume Writers

Medical Copyeditor

Thriller/Mystery Ghostwriter

Information Newsletter Editor

Misc. Writing Projects

Online Writers

Unpaid Writing Gigs and Submissions 

Sports Internship

Celebrity Magazine Intern: Detroit

The Yes Factory Calls for Submissions

Contributors for Relationship Blog

Creative Nonfiction Contest

Women Travel Writers

I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within.

- Gustave Flaubert

Writing Jobs for Friday January 20th, 2012

Writing Jobs in Michigan 

Marketing Intern: Ann Arbor

Web Editing and Production Assistant: Ann Arbor

Proofreader: Ann Arbor

Web Content Creation: Ann Arbor

Sr. Copywriter: Bloomfield Hills

Social Media Trainee: Birmingham

New Media Specialist: Detroit

Business Reporter: Flint

Television Writer/Producer: Grand Rapids

Copy Editor: Grand Rapids

High School Sports Reporters: Grand Rapids

Experienced Play Writer: Grosse Pointe Park

Reporter/Editor: Lansing

SEO & Social Media Marketing Expert: Mount Clemens

Children's Legal Services Writer: Novi

Business Writer Wanted: Sterling Heights/Telecommute

RFP/Proposal Writer: Troy

Proofreader/Editor: Warren

Telecommute - From Home Writing Gigs

Article Writer

Content Moderation

Freelance Reporter/Interview

Humorous Photography/Blogger

Natural Health Writer

Online Magazine Seeks New Writers

Thrifty Blogger

Prankster Blogger

Auto/Vehicle Writer

Submissions and Unpaid Writing Jobs

Rock and Roll Writers: Detroit Area

Poetry Ezine Accepting Submissions

Fantasy and Science Fiction by Women (pay is $10)

New Publisher Seeks Submissions

Submit to HOOT Literary Magazine

Critique Wanted

‘If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?'

Emily Dickinson

Resources for Michigan Writers

Writer's groups are invaluable to the process. I have recently been spending some time in the Lansing area and have found a myriad of groups and tools that I wanted to extend to you as well. Sometimes writing can be a lonely business, thus the import of writer's groups - not to mention that every piece of writing can benefit from additional eyes and insights.

Check out some of the groups below if you're looking to meet and connect with other Michigan writers.

Writing at the Ledges: A group of Michigan writers who meet in Grand Ledge to talk about and critique each others' work.

Skaaldic Society: Lansing area writers who meet for a monthly writers' group. The Skaaldic Society also hosts Michigan's popular writing conference A Rally of Writers.

Lansing Poetry Club: This group holds regular poetry meetings and scheduled workshops.

MSU Writing Center: The center provides writing workshops and assistance to MSU students and faculty.

Mid-Michigan Prose and Writing Group: An Ann Arbor group that brings local writers together support, constructive criticism and discussion.

Grand Rapids Region Writer's Group: Grand Rapids area writers who meet on the second Saturday of each month.

Motown Writer's Group: Detroit area writer's group.

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. -

Robert Frost

Writing Jobs for Monday Jan. 9, 2012

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Marketing Manager: Ann Arbor

Sociology Tutor/Researcher: Ann Arbor

Grant Research/Writer: Brighton

Part-Time Writer: Detroit

Technical Writer: Detroit

Article Writer: Detroit

Content Marketing/Journalist: Detroit

Medical Editor: Ferndale

Staff Writer: Holland

Technical Writer: Kalamazoo

Sales Writer/Content Creator: Macomb

Video Game Bloggers: Royal Oak/Telecommute

Junior Editor: Shelby Township

Food Writer/Reviewer: Southeast MI

Talented Writers: Southfield

Technical Writer: Sterling Heights

Desktop Publisher: Warren

Telecommute (Write from Home)

Academic Writers

Financial Writer

Marketing Copywriter

Nursing Content Editor

Arts Bloggers

Ethnic Writers

Real Estate Assistant

Personal Finance Bloggers/Writers

Contract Writer

Unpaid - Internships - Writing Submissions 

Social Media Intern: Ann Arbor

Editorial Intern: Birmingham

Writers for Hockey Magazine

Radical Leftist Blogger

UrbanDaddy Internship

Volunteer Writers

'My books aren't trying to fathom the mysteries of human existence. I'm an entertainer.'

Bernard Cornwall

Writing Jobs for Tuesday January 3rd, 2012

Happy 2012 writers!

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Content Writer: Ann Arbor

Social Media Talent: Ann Arbor

Content Development Internship: Birmingham

Technical Writer: Detroit

Copywriter: Detroit

GMA Test Prep Writer: Detroit

Game Writers Wanted: Detroit

Social Media Promoter: Detroit Area

Contract Content Project Editor: Farmington Hills

Multi Media Journalist: Grand Rapids

Real Estate Writer: Grand Rapids

Staff Writer: Holland

Technical Writer 5: Kalamazoo

Freelance Writers: Oakland County

Reporter: Oakland County

Writer for Syndicated TV Show: Pontiac

Reporter: Port Huron

Reporter: Saginaw

Telecommute Writing Jobs (Virtual Writing Gigs) 

Basketball Writers

Grant Writer

Freelance Writers

Poker Bloggers

Education Writers

Content Writers

Morocco Travel Bloggers

Landing Page Copywriter

Journalism Blogger

Tutorial Writers

Transcriptionist 

Unpaid Writing Gigs, Submissions and Internships 

Digital Marketing Internship: Royal Oak

Seeking Women's Erotic Fiction (paid)

Red Wings Blogger

Michigan Beer Reporter Intern: Grand Rapids

Creative History Writers

Interns for Beauty Website

Food Writers

'You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair - the sense that you can never completely put on the page what's in your mind and heart.  You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names.  You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world.  Come to it any way but lightly.  Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.'

Stephen King