Writing Contests: Summer 2015

There's really no end to the many avenues that writers have to improve their skills in the realm of writing. Blogs, articles, short stories, writer's prompts, novels and even greeting cards offer us a seemingly endless supply of ways to pluck from our imaginative pool and twist our words into a stream of prose meant to delight, inform or even terrify our readers. Contests provide us with an opportunity to meander off our finely beaten writerly paths and foray into a new genre - perhaps with a bonus at the end of publication or prize. Try your hand at one of these upcoming writer's contests below....

TLR Prose Poetry Contest: Accepts prose poems. Deadline 8/1/15

The Barthelme Prize for Short Prose: Accepts poetry, flash fiction and micro-essay. Deadline 8/31/15

The Sixth First Line Contest: Accepts starter sentences. Deadline 9/1/15

NANO Fiction Prize: Fiction works of 300 words or fewer. Deadline 9/1/15  

Cahoots Collaboration Contest: Must include a literary element. Deadline 10/1/15

War and Peace Fall Essay Contest: Accepts essays up to 3,000 words. Deadline 10/12/15

Write or Die: Writing Contests for the Summer of 2014

I have a wonderful friend who has begun to write seriously during the past few years, I've written about him on this blog previously. Two years ago, he didn't even believe that it was possible that he could finish a short story, let alone see it published. Now he's publishing a story almost every other month and even getting paid for some of them. When we first started talking regularly, he found it inspiring that I'd published a book and this inspiration, in part, propelled him to start writing. These days, he is the inspiration for me and the truth is that his secret is very simple. He writes. He writes stories, edits and submits them and he does something nearly every day. We writers love to lament our many reasons for not putting the pen to the page, but give yourself permission to drop the excuses, find a space of stillness today and just write...


Pressgang Prize: Deadline 5/30/14

Cloudbank Poetry and Flash Fiction Contest: Deadline 5/31/14

Creative Nonfiction The Memoir Issue: Deadline 5/31/14

American Short Fiction Short Story Contest: Deadline 6/1/14

Split Lip Magazine Chapbook Contest Deadline 6/1/14

2014 New American Fiction Prize: Deadline 6/15/14

Pulp Literature Magpie Award for Poetry: Deadline 6/15/14

Jewish Literary Journal Competition for Fiction, Poetry and Creative Nonfiction: Deadline 6/15/14

Vallum Magazine Award for Poetry: Deadline 6/15/14

Lucille Clifton Poetry Prize: Deadline 6/15/14

Literary Juice Flash Fiction Contest: Deadline 6/30/14

Bacopa Literary Review: Deadline 6/30/14

Blue Lyra Review Contest for Nonfiction and Long Poem: Deadline 6/30/14

Matrix LitPop Awards: Deadline 7/1/14

The Rattle Poetry Prize: Deadline 7/15/14

Fairy Tale Review Prose and Poetry Contest: Deadline 7/15/14

Stone Canoe Journal Annual Prize: Deadline 7/31/14

Blue Earth Review Flash Fiction Contest: Deadline 8/1/14

The Geist Tobacco Lit Writing Contest: Deadline 9/1/14

I didn't start out writing to give children hope, but I'm glad some of them found it.
-Beverly Cleary

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 Events and Contests

Generally, I like to divide these categories up, but to streamline this post, I'm going to bring you events and contests at once. 

Michigan Writer's Events

Ann Arbor: The Author's Forum Presents Ghost Writers: Dec. 7th 

Ann Arbor: Meet Several Local Authors, such as Jonathan Rand, in December at Nicola's Books. 

Detroit Area: Visit the Motown Writer's Network Monthly Calendar to see a variety of writing groups and events in the Detroit Metro area.

Lyons: Leaven Center presents The Sacred in Everyday Life: A Writing Workshop for Women: January 13-15

Marquette: Visit the Regional Author Extravaganza at Snowbound Books in December 

Writing Contests

Beecher Magazine Fiction and Poetry Contest: Deadline Dec. 7

Hunger Mountain Ruth Stone Poetry Contest 

Crab Creek Review Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 15 

Toasted Cheese Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 21 

Bayou Magazine Fiction and Poetry Contest: Deadline Dec. 31

Boulevard Short Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 31

River Styx Micro-Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 31

Gemini Magazine Poetry Contest: Deadline Jan 3 

Diore Press Fiction and Poetry Chapbook Contest: Jan. 9 

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it; Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Writing Contests: Short Story Contests, Poetry, Essay and More

Writing contests inspire a lot of feelings for most of us writers. Some people love them and salivate at the mere thought of crafting a string of prose about a frighteningly random topic like 'cart wheeling on the moon.' Other writers tremble at the thought of that blank page, even when the category is open-ended and they have a word folder stuffed with worthy submissions. Whether you live in the former or the latter category, writing contests give you an opportunity to share your voice, your story and your perspective. Check out the contests below and remember to stretch yourself. It's easy to stick with your genre, but it's great for your craft if you try out the opposite instead.



Writing Contests for Multiple Genres 

• Our Stories:The Generation XYZ Contest: Deadline 9/30/11

• Prescott College: 2011 National Writing Contest: Deadline 9/30/2011 

• Inscape Magazine: Writing Contest: Deadline 10/26/2011 

• Black Lawrence Press: The Black River Chapbook Competition: Deadline 10/31/2011 

• Glimmer Train: Family Stories: Deadline 10/31/2011 

Fiction Writing Contests (And Flash Fiction)

• Zoetrope: All Story Fiction Contest: Deadline 10/3/2011 

• Indiana Review: 2011 Fiction prize: Deadline 10/15/2011 

• Inkwell: 14th Annual Short Fiction Contest: Deadline 10/31/2011

• Kore Press: Short Fiction Chapbook Award: Deadline 10/31/2011 

• The New Renaissance: The Louise E. Reynolds Memorial Fiction Awards: Deadline 10/31/2011  

Poetry Contests 

• New Issues Poetry and Prose: The 2010 Green Rose Prize: Deadline 9/30/11

• Pudding House: Poetry Chapbook Competition: Deadline 9/30/11

• Red Hen Press: Ruskin Art Club Poetry Award: Deadline 9/30/11 

• Fordham University: Poets Out Loud Prize: Deadline 10/15/2011 

• Silverfish Review Press: Gerald Cable Book Award: Deadline 10/15/2011 

Essay Contests

• Review of English Studies: 2011 RES Essay Prize: Deadline 9/30/2011

• Diagram: Essay Contest: Deadline 10/31/2011 

'Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.'

William Wordsworth

Summer Writing Contests and Submissions

Yes it is summer at long last. These are the few months that we endure cold, harrowing winters in Michigan for and they are absolutely worth it! That being said, summers are not the easiest time to write. Free time seems much better spent reading at the beach or swimming out to some sand bar to lounge like a lizard and watch the fat clouds roll by. If, however, you are more diligent than I, look below for some contests and markets open to submissions.

Contests:


Creative Nonfiction.org: True Crime Essays : Fee - $20: Prize - $1,000

Rattle Poetry Prize: Fee -$18: Deadline- Aug. 1st 2011

Terrain.org 2nd Annual Contest: Submit poetry, fiction or nonfiction: Fee- $10: Deadline- Aug. 1st 2011

8th Annual Gival Press Short Story Award: Submissions of original, unpublished short stories: Fee- $25: Deadline- Aug. 8th 2011.

H.O.W. Journal is Hosting Three Contests: Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry: Fee- ranges from $5-$20: Deadline- Aug. 15th 2011.

Smartish Pace Erskine J. Poetry Prize: Fee-$5: Deadline- Aug. 15th 2011


Memoir Journal: Prize for Prose and Poetry, Graphic Memoir and Photography: No Fee: Deadline- Aug. 16th 2011.

Gemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest: Entry Fee- $4: Deadline- Aug. 31st 2011.


Submissions

Cliterature: Theme is Madness: Submit up to ten pages of poetry, prose or creative nonfiction. Deadline: Aug. 12th

Spittoon Literary Journal: Accepts poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction.

Specter Literary Magazine: Accepts fiction and poetry.

Palehouse: Submissions for Letters to Los Angeles: Deadline - Sept. 2011

Subliminal Interiors: Accepts poetry, nonfiction and photography.

Extended Play: Accepts long pieces of poetry and prose.

Lyndsey D'Arcangelo My Story is Out: High School Years: High School stories by individuals 25 and younger. Deadline: Jan. 1 2012.

The Ides of March: Accepts poetry with a historical slant.

Heavy Feather Review: Accepts poetry, short fiction, photography, comics, creative nonfiction and hybrids.

Writing Jobs for Saturday April 23rd

Happy Easter Weekend writers!

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Help w/Personal Statement: Ann Arbor

Medical Equipment Writer: Ann Arbor

Copywriter for Press Releases: Ann Arbor

Writer: Ann Arbor (U of M)

Communications Specialist: Dearborn

Freelance Article Writers: Detroit

IT/Cisco Blog Writer Needed: Detroit/Telecommute

Technical Writer: Detroit

Creative Writing Instructor: Interlochen

Web Content Writer: Keego Harbor

Writer/Editor: Lansing/Telecommute

Writer/Communications Specialist: Lansing

Writer Wanted: Lansing

Editorial/Publishing Assistant: Livonia

Writer: Mt. Pleasant (CMU)

Writer for Business Handbook: Oakland County

Scientific Technical Writer: Rochester

Editor/Writer: Southfield

Part Time Marketing Internship: Sterling Heights

Summer Internship in Social Media: Troy

Telecommute

Article Writer

Freelance Copywriter

Skilled Writer

Ghost Writer Wanted: Ann Arbor/Telecommute

Medical Editor

Business and Finance Writers for Demand Studios

Luxury Blogger Needed

Creative Writer w/Stock Trading Knowledge 

Market Research Analysts 

Proofreaders 

Copywriter/Writer/Editor w/ Web Building Experience

Editor Needed for Small/Low Pay Gig

Unpaid

Journalist/Writer Intern: Tri County Area

Music Writers/Interns 

Submissions/Contests

Poetry Contest

Mixer Publishing Accepting Submissions 

On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.  ~Douglas Horton

Writing Contests/Submissions To Get the Creative Juices Flowing

Despite the latest havoc that Mother Nature has wreaked on us here in northern Michigan, the writing (for most of us) still must go on. Look below for some new writing contests and calls for submissions for fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.

Submissions

Rhino (Annual Journal and Poetry Forum): Seek submissions of poetry, poetry translations and flash fiction.

The Single Hound (online literary journal): Accepts submissions for literary works, recipes, food stories, politics, book reviews, creative nonfiction and more.

Cliterature (online literary journal for women): Accepts poetry, short stories, novel excerpts and art work. 

Timber (a journal of new writing): Looks for innovative poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and digital lit. 

Mason's Road (literary journal): Accepting submissions for the next issue with the theme "arc." The reading period ends May 1st. 

Contests 

Biscuit Publishing Short Story Prize: Short stories of 1,000-5,000 words. Entry Fee: $10. Deadline: May 9th. 

sub Terrain 2011 Lush Awards: Poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. Entry Fee: $25. Deadline: May 15th.

Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition: Short stories under 3,500 words. Entry Fee: $15. Deadline: May 15th. 

The New Letters Literary Awards: Prizes for poetry, essay and short fiction. Entry Fee: $15. Deadline: May 18th. 

Frome Festival Short Story Competition: Stories between 1,000 and 2,200 words. Entry Fee: 5 Euros. Deadline: May 31st. 

Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction: Fiction stories up to 8,000 words. Entry Fee: $10. Deadline: June 11th. 

The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.  ~Anaïs Nin