2013 Writing Contests

Writing contests are a fantastic way to discover new genres and reveal your writing to both the reading and writing communities. When searching for a writing contest, consider submitting something in a genre outside of your norm. It helps you to broaden your skills as a writer and also allows you to flex your craft and discover other interests beyond your typical stories or poetry. Many writing contests have specific themes, which can also bring focus where otherwise you might feel conflicted about what story to write. Choose a few contests below and make it your personal writing goal to be more open, more intuitive and more flexible with your writing. And perhaps most importantly don't take it too seriously. Writing is an inward journey so be gentle with yourself and allow the words to flow...

2013 Autmumn House Poetry Contest: Deadline 6/30/13

2013 Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize: Deadline 6/30/13

Hunger Mountain Howard Frank Mosher Short Fiction Prize: Deadline 6/30/13

Literal Latte Short Fiction Contest: Deadline 6/30/13

Teachers and Writers Collaborative 2013 Bechtel Prize Essay: Deadline 7/1/13

Bard Fiction Prize for Published Authors: Deadline 7/15/13

The Cincinati Review Robert and Adele Schiff Awards in Poetry and Prose: Deadline 7/15/13

The 2013 Rattle Poetry Prize: Deadline 7/15/13

The 2013 Wasafiri New Writing Prize: Deadline 7/26/13

Dream Quest One Poetry and Writing Contest: Deadline 7/31/13

2013 Northwind Short Story Contest: Deadline 7/31/13

Subito Press Book Prize: Deadline 8/16/13

When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature.

Ernest Hemingway 

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.