The Many Perks to Writing Contests

I have to be honest, I don't participate in many writing contests. Life has taken me on a journey that seems to plummet toward and then dramatically swerve away from the public world of writing. I've gone from blogging daily and submitting several stories or articles to contests monthly, to working at a Digital Marketing Agency and Writing Copy, to focusing solely on writing and marketing my novel Ula published in 2012, to these days, journaling and slogging through my sequel while also substitute teaching and teaching yoga. It's an unpredictable life - something I love about it - but writing is always alive within me. It transforms, finds pools of thriving life and then recedes and dries in the desert sun. Despite the changes that my writing has undergone in my life, I return to it in one form or another and I am grateful when a unique opportunity to share my perspective, or craft a new story, comes along.

Several months ago, I submitted a very short piece of writing to Spirituality and Health Magazine as they were offering a contest to win a trip to Maui. Essentially, they asked readers to write about a spiritual practice and I wrote about nature. Nature is near and dear to my heart and I am never lost for words when it comes to waxing poetic about the trees and flowers and lakes that surround me. Much to my surprise and delight, I won the contest. Thus a few weeks ago, I spent an absolutely majestic ten days in Maui with my boyfriend. The prize included a five night stay at the tranquil, yoga-retreat center Lumeria and offered us a wonderful opportunity to relax, unwind and get centered during our visit. I wrote about meditation in my previous post and the powerful affect it can have on our writing. I felt this even more strongly as I pondered the winding path that life takes us on and how writing had taken me to a community designed to help us connect with the consciousness that lives beyond our individual identities. For me, it was evidence that my writing is most poignant when it is truly a reflection of my heart, and the writing contests that I have won have nearly always reflected this.

My good friend Jon loves science fiction. He began writing just a couple of years ago and hesitantly at first. A single father, in his late thirties, he did not necessarily feel capable of entering the mysterious and oft frightening world of writing. Despite his apprehensions, he began to write. He wrote science fiction stories and submitted them to flash fiction contests online. He got a few rejections and then he started winning. Suddenly, every time I talked with him, he told me about his latest contest win. The prizes ranged from $10 to $50, but ultimately the joy for Jon had nothing to do with winning some cash and everything to do with realizing his dreams and knocking down the walls he'd built around them. Since then he has written stories for published anthologies and in November he participated in NaNoWriMo (National novel Writing Month) and completed 50,000 words to a future novel.

When we open ourselves to the possibilities of where our writing might guide us, the whole world becomes available. There is no telling who will be touched by your words and what dark path, that you'd never gazed upon, might suddenly become illuminated. If you're searching for an opportunity, a contest, an inspiration, anything - try out one of the contests below; perhaps you will discover a new path awaiting you.


Inspiration Travel Writing Contest - No Entry Fee - Deadline: 2/14/14

Disquiet Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry Prize - $15 Fee - Deadline: 2/15/14

Penny Fiction Flash Fiction Writing Competition - No Fee - Deadline: 2/17/14

SF/LFA Short Fiction Contest - No Entry Fee - Deadline: 3/4/14

theNewerYork Press Kissing Flash Fiction Contest - Fee ? - Deadline 2/28/14

Shanti Arts Inspired Stories Competition - $15 Fee - Deadline 3/1/14

Phoebe Winter Writing Contest - $17 Fee - Deadline 3/8/14

Ginsoko Flash Fiction Contest - $5 Fee - Deadline 3/1/14

Lunch Ticket Creative Nonfiction - No Fee - Deadline 3/30/14

Writing criticism is to writing fiction and poetry as hugging the shore is to sailing in the open sea.

John Updike 

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 

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

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 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

Awesome Websites for Writers

Finding the best websites for writers is virtually impossible because best differs for all of us. However, the point of this blog is to pass along the resources that I use as a writer and to discover new ones. Below are some of my favorite websites for writers with a quick description of each. Please leave me a comment if you can think of a good site to add to the list. You can also check out my previous post Websites for Writers from May for more great resources.

Copyblogger: I work for a digital marketing agency and write a lot of copy. I really enjoy the fresh, funny articles on Copy Blogger that are filled with great information.

Good Reads: This is a social network for readers. You can read reviews, chat with other readers, add friends etc. Good Reads is a great way to find awesome books and awesome readers. On a side note - if you're looking for great places to buy a book, check out these independent Michigan bookstores.

Fiction Writer's Mentor: Mentoring and advice from published author Tracey Culleton.

Ink Provoking: Keeping it fresh is imperative for writers, especially when you seem to stick with the same genre etc. This site has great writing prompts.

New Pages: This site is fantastic. At New Pages you will find writing contests, writers' markets, submissions and other great stuff.

The Writers Manifesto: This is a blog about freelance writing with some good articles and tips.

Writing Forward: This site has it all: writing tips, exercises, grammatical info., and resources. Writing Forward also has great comment sections with more valuable information from writers.

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 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

Writing the Short Story

Short stories are a fiction writer's toe in the water. They are short, or can be, poignant and usually must pack a punch if they're going to see publication beyond the tattered notebook in your top drawer. However, any writer who has written or attempted to write a short story knows that those 1,500 words may be the hardest you'll ever write. There simply is not enough space to delve as deeply as you want to - not enough pages to build to climax and then wrap it up in some meaningful way.

I have written and struggled to write short stories for years. I have obsessed over the words, closed the file and then refused to look at it for months afterwards, Eventually when I get some much need space, I can return to the work, edit it and start submitting. I get rejected frequently, but those few journals that say they're considering it and even one that accepted a short story and then later published someone else's - somehow keep the flame alive.

T.C. Boyle, fiction author and English Professor at the university of Southern California, stresses that "there are no rules," when it comes to writing short fiction. Boyle says that fiction is an art (I'm sure we all agree) and that it is merely an individual work by an individual person. Understanding this helps us to let go of a need to mimic greater writers or to drown ourselves in the self-deprecating tendencies that arise when we review and edit our own stories. Boyle, in his courses, advises students to read a lot - and not just the classics, but contemporary writers also. Additionally, he is a supporter of writing what you don't know (not the normal writing advice) because he believes that fiction is a process of discovery. (Read the full article here at Writers Digest.com)

Writing advice is everywhere these days, but read it anyway. Read it because in doing so - you're reading, you're seeing someone else's style and maybe you're gleaning some piece of advice that has not crossed your desk before. Then go for a walk in nature, return to your computer and let the words flow. If you like what you've written - look below for some online journals and magazines seeking submissions. 

Literary Laundry (submit shorts stories, poems and one act dramas) 

Burner (wants blood pumping poetry, short fiction and nonfiction)

Gertrude Journal (accepts poetry, fiction, nonfiction and art)

Inter-rupture (looking for poetry, fiction and art)

Soundzine (seeking poetry and flash fiction on the theme Luck) 

Dragnet Magazine (looking for literary short fiction and art)

Ghost Ocean Magazine (submit flash fiction and poetry)

Red Fez Publications (wants poetry, fiction, nonfiction and art)

Anomalous Press (accepts poetry, fiction and nonfiction) 

Contests 

Echoes of the Right to God - Accepts Essays, Fiction and Poetry - No Entry Fee - Deadline: April 16th

Writer Advice Sixth Annual Flash Prose Contest - Accepts Fiction, Memoir and Creative Nonfiction - Entry Fee: $10 - Deadline: April 15th 

Never be bullied into silence.  Never allow yourself to be made a victim.  Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.  ~Harvey Fierstein

Wake Up with Spring Writing Contests

Okay writers - February is drawing to a close and March is nipping at our heels. Let's follow the words of Doug Larson, "Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush," and seize this great moment of renewal to pour some new energy into our writing. Look at the contests below and find something that resonates with you, and then find another one and another one. Submit again and again and you may find that all of your efforts now continue to feed you as winter dies and life is born again. 


The Southeast Review - The World's Best Short Story Contest - Fee:$15 - Deadline: March 15th


Arts and Letters Short Story Competition - Fee:$15 - Deadline: March 15th


Gulf Coast Contest for Poetry, Fiction and Nonfiction - Fee:$23 - Deadline: March 15th


Fish Publishing One Page Flash Fiction Contest - Fee:$14 - Deadline: March 20th


The Pinch Literary Awards in Fiction and Poetry - Fee:$20 - Deadline: March 15th 


Ninth Annual Glass Woman Prize for Short Fiction of Creative Nonfiction by a Woman - Fee:Free - Deadline: March 21st


Narrative Magazine Winter 2011 Story Contest - Fee:$20 - Deadline: March 31st


Grain Magazine's Annual Short Writing Contest - Fee:$40 - Deadline: April 1st


The Gemini Magazine Short Story Competition - Fee:$4 - Deadline: March 31st


Personal Essay/Creative Nonfiction Contest - Fee:$10 - Deadline: April 15th


GCWA's Let's Write Literary Contest - Fee$8 - Deadline: April 15th


My First Car Contest - Fee: Free - Deadline: March 4th

Contests for Writers

I'm sitting here this morning sipping my coffee and realizing that the snow may be keeping all of us writers close to home. So let's, at least, get something done. Check out these contests and consider writing something out of your genre. If you always stick to horror, write some poetry. It's a great way to stretch your abilities and your mind. Also - I would love to hear your comments about success with contests, markets or jobs and if you have a blog, website or even Facebook page - let me know and I will link to your site.

Free

American Kennel Club Fiction Contest - Deadline Jan. 31st

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest - Deadline April 1st

Diamond Cutters Short Story Entries - No Deadline

Entry Fee Required

Creative Nonfiction Essays - $25 fee - Deadlines Jan. 31st and March 16th

Michael Steinberg Essay Contest - $15 fee - Deadline Feb. 28th

Julia Peterkin Award for Fiction - $15 fee - Deadline Feb. 15th

2011 Confrontation Poetry Prize - $10 fee - Deadline Jan. 31st

Glimmer Train Short Fiction Award - $15 fee - Deadline Jan. 31st

Assoc. of Christian Writers Short Story Competition - $5 fee 

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise.  The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.  ~Sylvia Plath