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NewPages Blog :: Writing Contests

Discover writing and book contests from literary magazines, independent publishers, university presses, creative writing programs, and more.

Contest :: 2022 Colorado Prize for Poetry

Screenshot of Colorado Prize for Poetry flier for the NewPages Fall 2021 LitPak
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Deadline: January 14, 2022
$2,500 honorarium and book publication: Submit book-length collection of poems to the Colorado Prize for Poetry by January 14, 2022 (we will observe a 5-day grace period). $25 reading fee (add $3 to submit online) includes subscription to Colorado Review. Final judge is Gillian Conoley; friends and students (current or former) of the judge are not eligible to compete, nor are Colorado State University employees, students, or alumni. Complete guidelines at coloradoprize.colostate.edu or Colorado Prize for Poetry, Center for Literary Publishing, 9105 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-9105.

Contest :: Test Site Poetry Prize Call for Manuscripts Engaging the Perilous Conditions of Life in the 21st Century

Interim 2021 Test Site Poetry Prize bannerDeadline: November 15, 2021
We’re looking for manuscripts of at least 48 pages that engage the perilous conditions of life in the 21st century, as they pertain to issues of social justice and the earth. Because we believe the truth is always experimental, we’ll especially appreciate books with innovative approaches. Beginning in 2021 and going forward, Interim will be publishing two books in their Test Site Poetry series—one title publicized as the winner of the Test Site Poetry Series and the other as the Betsy Joiner Flanagan Award in Poetry. Both winners will receive $1,000 and publication by the University of Nevada Press. www.interimpoetics.org/test-site-poetry-series

Contest :: Submit to the Inaugural Emma Howell Rising Poet Prize

drawing of a heron standing on one leg with willow springs books written to the right of itDeadline: January 15, 2022
Background: The contest is in honor of Emma Howell who was born in Portland, Oregon, and died in 2001, at the age of twenty. She left behind a single volume of poetry: Slim Night of Recognition. This prize is an effort to promote the publication of young poets, to honor Emma’s memory, as well as honor the time and effort her father, Christopher Howell, former Director of Willow Springs Books, has put into our press. Prize: $2,000 + manuscript publication. Eligibility: Poets 35 years old and younger who have not yet published a book-length poetry manuscript. Submit: bit.ly/3aE00R3.

Contest :: 2022 Jeff Marks Memorial Poetry Prize

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Deadline: December 1, 2021
december magazine seeks entries for our 2022 Jeff Marks Memorial Poetry Prize. Grace Cavalieri is judging. Prize: $1,500 & publication (winner); $500 & publication (honorable mention). All finalists will be published in the 2022 Spring/Summer awards issue. Submit up to 3 poems per entry. $20 entry fee includes copy of the awards issue. Submit October 1 to December 1. For complete guidelines please visit our website decembermag.org/2022-jeff-marks-memorial-poetry-prize.

October 2021 eLitPak :: 31st Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize: Deadline Extended

Screenshot of Missouri Review flier for the NewPages October eLitPak
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Deadline: October 18, 2021
Missouri Review’s Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize has extended its deadline to October 18. Winners in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction receive $5,000 and publication. All entrants receive a 1-year digital subscription and a free copy of the digital anthology Private Lives. All-access entrants receive an additional decade of TMR digital issues, complete with audio recordings. All entries considered for publication.

View the full October 2021 eLitPak Newsletter.

October 2021 eLitPak :: Sandy Crimmins National Prize for Poetry

Screenshot of Philadelphia Stories flier for the NewPages October 2021 eLitPak
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The Sandy Crimmins National Prize for Poetry features a first place prize of $1,000 and three Runners Up prizes of $250 each. We especially encourage poets from underrepresented groups and backgrounds to send their work. Find more information at our website.

View the full October 2021 eLitPak Newsletter.

October 2021 eLitPak :: Tartt First Fiction Award

Screenshot of Livingston Press September, October, November, December 2021 flier for the NewPages eLitPakThis year’s co-winners were Judy Juanita of Oakland, CA. and Schuyler Dickson of Houlka, MS. Their respective books will come out in June. The deadline for the new contest is December 31. Please see our website for details. And see our forthcoming books, also. Credit cards accepted.

View the full October 2021 eLitPak Newsletter.

Contest :: Carve Magazine 2021 Prose & Poetry Contest

Screenshot of CARVE's flier for their 2021 Prose & Poetry Contest
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Deadline: November 15, 2021
Carve Magazine‘s Prose & Poetry Contest is open October 1 – November 15. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but work must be in English. Max 10,000 words for fiction and nonfiction; 2,000 words for poetry. Prizes: $1,000 each for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. All 3 winners published in Spring 2022. Entry fee $17 online only. Guest judges are Lydia Conklin for fiction; Julietta Singh for nonfiction; and Jihyun Yun for poetry. www.carvezine.com/prose-poetry-contest/

Contest :: Last Month to Enter the 2021 Dillydoun International Fiction Prize

Dillydoun 2021 International Fiction PrizeDeadline: October 31, 2021
The 2021 Dillydoun International Fiction Prize: Enter Now Via Submittable. Deadline: October 31, 2021. Winners announced by November 30, 2021. 8,000 word max, no minimum. All genres welcome. Entry Fee: $25. CASH PRIZES: 1st – $2,000; 2nd – $1,000; 3rd – $500; Honorable Mentions – $50. Winners and honorable mentions will be published in the print anthology, and will receive one free contributor copy. All other entries will be considered for publication in a TDR Issue/TDR Daily. All TDR publications are considered at the end of the year for our Best of the Best print anthology. Writer may refuse offer to publish.

Contest :: November 15 Deadline for Interim’s Test Site Poetry Prize

Interim 2021 Test Site Poetry Prize bannerDeadline: November 15, 2021
We’re looking for manuscripts of at least 48 pages that engage the perilous conditions of life in the 21st century, as they pertain to issues of social justice and the earth. Because we believe the truth is always experimental, we’ll especially appreciate books with innovative approaches. Beginning in 2021 and going forward, Interim will be publishing two books in their Test Site Poetry series—one title publicized as the winner of the Test Site Poetry Series and the other as the Betsy Joiner Flanagan Award in Poetry. Both winners will receive $1,000 and publication by the University of Nevada Press. www.interimpoetics.org/test-site-poetry-series

September 2021 eLitPak :: The Gival Press Poetry Award

Screenshot of Gival Press' flier for the NewPages September 2021 eLitPak
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2021 Deadline is December 15

The 20th Gival Press Poetry Award, with a prize of $1,000 plus book publication in 2022, deadline is December 15, 2021. Original, unpublished manuscripts of 45+ pages in any style are acceptable. Visit: Submittable for complete details, to pay $20 reading fee, and to upload your manuscript.

View the full September 2021 eLitPak Newsletter here.

September 2021 eLitPak :: Tartt First Fiction Award

Screenshot of Livingston Press September, October, November, December 2021 flier for the NewPages eLitPakThis year’s co-winners were Judy Juanita of Oakland, CA. and Schuyler Dickson of Houlka, MS. Their respective books will come out in June. The deadline for the new contest is December 31. Please see our website for details. And see our forthcoming books, also. Credit cards accepted.

View the full September 2021 eLitPak Newsletter here.

September eLitPak :: NEXT: Visions Towards a Less Divided America

Pangyrus flier for the NewPages September 2021 eLitPakDeadline: October 30, 2021
Submit your best essays taking on the problems of today, and the potential of tomorrow. Whether hopeful or despairing, the strongest essays will find their way into publication, and the contest winner earns both Pangyrus publication and a prize of $1,000.⁠ OUR JUDGE is Jabari Asim, an accomplished poet, playwright, and writer.⁠

View the full September 2021 eLitPak Newsletter here.

September 2021 eLitPak :: Last Call! Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

Screenshot of Winning Writers flier for the NewPages September 2021 eLitPak
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Deadline: September 30, 2021
Submit published or unpublished poems to the Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest sponsored by Winning Writers and co-sponsored by Duotrope. We will award $3,000 for the best poem in any style and $3,000 for the best poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. The top 12 poems will be published online. Final judge: S. Mei Sheng Frazier. Fee: $15 for 1-2 poems.

View the full September 2021 eLitPak Newsletter here.

Contest :: The 2021 Dillydoun International Fiction Prize

2021 Dillydoun International Fiction Prize bannerDeadline: October 31, 2021
The 2021 Dillydoun International Fiction Prize: Enter Now Via Submittable. Deadline: October 31, 2021. Winners announced by November 30, 2021. 8,000 word max, no minimum. All genres welcome. Entry Fee: $25. CASH PRIZES: 1st – $2,000; 2nd – $1,000; 3rd – $500; Honorable Mentions – $50. Winners and honorable mentions will be published in the print anthology, and will receive one free contributor copy. All other entries will be considered for publication in a TDR Issue/TDR Daily. All TDR publications are considered at the end of the year for our Best of the Best print anthology. Writer may refuse offer to publish.

Contest :: Interim to Publish Two Books in Test Site Poetry Series

Interim 2021 Test Site Poetry Prize bannerDeadline: November 15, 2021
We’re looking for manuscripts of at least 48 pages that engage the perilous conditions of life in the 21st century, as they pertain to issues of social justice and the earth. Because we believe the truth is always experimental, we’ll especially appreciate books with innovative approaches. Beginning in 2021 and going forward, Interim will be publishing two books in their Test Site Poetry series—one title publicized as the winner of the Test Site Poetry Series and the other as the Betsy Joiner Flanagan Award in Poetry. Both winners will receive $1,000 and publication by the University of Nevada Press. www.interimpoetics.org/test-site-poetry-series

Contest :: Last Call to Enter 19th Annual Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

drawn lion head on peach colored backgroundDeadline: September 30, 2021
19th year, sponsored by Winning Writers. Win $3,000 for a poem in any style and $3,000 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. Total prizes: $8,000. The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value). Both published and unpublished work accepted. Winning entries published online. Submit two poems for one $15 entry fee. Length limit: 250 lines per poem. Judged by S. Mei Sheng Frazier. This contest is recommended by Reedsy. See past winners, advice from the judge, and submit online at winningwriters.com/tompoetrynp21.

Contest :: 31st Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize Awards $5k per Genre

angel statue outlined against a sunsetDeadline: October 1, 2021
The Missouri Review is pleased to announce that the 31st annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize is now open. Winners in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction receive $5000 and publication, promotion, and an event to be determined later. All entries are considered for publication in TMR, or in our web-exclusive features, BLAST and/or Poem of the Week. Visit our website to learn more: www.missourireview.com/contests/jeffrey-e-smith-editors-prize/.

August 2021 eLitPak :: EVENT Non-Fiction Contest Deadline October 15

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EVENT: A home for writers. A destination for readers. We are now accepting submissions of 5,000 words or less to the annual EVENT Non-Fiction Contest. $3,000 in prizes, plus publication. Entries must be postmarked or submitted online by October 15. Visit our website for full contest guidelines, exclusive online content, and information about our popular Reading Service for Writers.

View the full NewPages August 2021 eLitPak newsletter.

August 2021 eLitPak :: Terrain.org 12th Annual Contests in Poetry, Nonfiction, and Fiction

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More than $3,500 in prizes, with a $1,000 grand prize in each genre and $100 to the finalists. Judges: Poetry: Ellen Bass; Nonfiction: Aimee Nezhukumatathil; Fiction: Maurice Carlos Ruffin. Deadline: Labor Day, September 6, 2021. $20 entry fee per set of 3-5 poems (or a single long poem), story, essay or article. See full guidelines and submit online.

View the full NewPages August 2021 eLitPak newsletter.

August 2021 eLitPak :: Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

Screenshot of Winning Writers' Flier for the NewPages August 2021 eLitPak
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Submit published or unpublished poems to the 19th annual Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest sponsored by Winning Writers and co-sponsored by Duotrope. We will award $3,000 for the best poem in any style and $3,000 for the best poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. The top 12 poems will be published online. Final judge: S. Mei Sheng Frazier. Deadline: September 30.

View the full NewPages August 2021 eLitPak newsletter.

Contest :: 2021 Hal Prize Open to Submissions

2021 Hal Prize banner adDeadline: September 15, 2021
Submissions in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and photography are now being accepted for the 2021 Hal Prize. Judges for the 2021 contest include Lan Samantha Chang (fiction), Faith Adiele (nonfiction), Mark Wunderlich (poetry), and Coburn and Tad Dukehart (photography). First place winners will receive $250 and a Hal Prize mug made by local potter, Clay Bay Pottery; second place receives $100 and third $50. All winners will be printed in the new literary journal, 8142 Review, coming out in November. Submissions are due by Sept. 15. For more information and to submit, visit thehalprize.com.

Contest :: Minds on Fire Open Book Prize—$1,500

astronaut in front of a full moonDeadline: October 31, 2021
Conduit Books & Ephemera is pleased to announce our fourth annual Open Book Prize is accepting submissions. Awarded annually and open to any poet writing in English, regardless of previous publication record, the prize seeks to represent the best contemporary writing in high quality editions of enduring value. Prospective entrants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Conduit, which champions originality, intelligence, irreverence, and humanity. All manuscripts welcome, be they first books or last books. Previously unpublished manuscripts of 48-90 pages should be submitted through our Submittable page. The winning poet will receive $1,500 and 30 author copies. $25.00 Entry Fee

Test Your First Line Prowess!

The First Line typewriter

Literary magazine The First Line recently realized they haven’t asked their readers and writers to supply first lines in a few years and decided to change that with The First Line 2022 First (and Last) Line Contest.

You have until September 15 at 6PM EST to submit up to three first lines and one last line. These must be original and unpublished. Those whose first or last line are selected will receive $100 and five copies of the issue inspired by their line. Pretty cool, huh? Oh, and there is no fee to enter!

Also, The First Line is giving away 22 one-year PDF subscriptions. All you have to do is enter you’re first and last lines and you’ll be put in the running for the subscription, too.

Contest :: Interim Test Site Poetry Series Call for Manuscripts

Interim 2021 Test Site Poetry Prize bannerInterim Test Site Poetry Series Call for Manuscripts

Deadline: November 15, 2021
We’re looking for manuscripts of at least 48 pages that engage the perilous conditions of life in the 21st century, as they pertain to issues of social justice and the earth. Because we believe the truth is always experimental, we’ll especially appreciate books with innovative approaches. Beginning in 2021 and going forward, Interim will be publishing two books in their Test Site Poetry series—one title publicized as the winner of the Test Site Poetry Series and the other as the Betsy Joiner Flanagan Award in Poetry. Both winners will receive $1,000 and publication by the University of Nevada Press. www.interimpoetics.org/test-site-poetry-series

Contest :: $8,000 in Total Prizes Awarded

drawn lion head on peach colored backgroundTom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

Deadline: September 30, 2021
19th year, sponsored by Winning Writers. Win $3,000 for a poem in any style and $3,000 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. Total prizes: $8,000. The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value). Both published and unpublished work accepted. Winning entries published online. Submit two poems for one $15 entry fee. Length limit: 250 lines per poem. Judged by S. Mei Sheng Frazier. This contest is recommended by Reedsy. See past winners, advice from the judge, and submit online at winningwriters.com/tompoetrynp21.

StoryQuarterly Reopens to General Nonfiction Submissions July 31

Screenshot of StoryQuarterly's Issue 53 websiteLiterary magazine StoryQuarterly has decided to do something new – general nonfiction and fiction reading periods versus running multiple contests. This year on July 31, they will begin accepting nonfiction submissions via Submittable. This submission period will run through Sunday, October 17.

They seek personal essays, narrative nonfiction, memoir, flash nonfiction, lyric essays, and other forms of creative nonfiction, preferably under 6,250 words.

Then, they will open up a reading period for fiction only from October 16 through December 19. If you would like to enter their Fiction Contest, that will open August 28 and run through November 7.

While waiting for these submissions opportunities to open up, don’t forget to read Issue 53 featuring work by Sophie Braxton, Nina de Gramont, Viet Dinh, Anthony Tognazzini, Kathleen Heil, Beatrice Baltuck Garrard, Jim Flanagan, Asher Dark, Chaney Kwak, Michelle Gurule, Cassie Mannes Murray, Rachel Toliver, Chris Stuck, Noel Alumit, James Magruder, Miah Jeffra, Rachel Howard, Kathy Anderson, J.E. Sills, and Amelia Martens.

Contest :: Driftwood’s 2021 Adrift Contests End This Week!

photo of Xu Xi and Traci BrimhallDeadline: July 15, 2021
The deadline is almost here! Xu Xi is this year’s Adrift Short Story Contest Guest Judge. The winning story receives $500, ten copies of the issue in which their story appears, and a featured interview. Runner-ups receive $200, five copies, and a featured interview. All stories read for the contest are considered for publication, which means your likelihood of publication and placing in the contest is much higher. For our 2019 contest, we selected three stories to publish. Traci Brimhall heads up the Adrift Chapbook Contest this year! This contest winner will be awarded $500, a royalties contract, twenty copies of their chapbook, and an interview to be published alongside their chapbook. www.driftwoodpress.net

Contest :: Under 2 Weeks Left to Enter 2021 Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers

Screenshot of Nimrod's flier for the 2021 Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers
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Deadline: July 15, 2021
The submission period for Nimrod’s Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers ends on July 15. The Ringold Awards offer prizes of $500 and publication for fiction and poetry. They are open only to writers with no more than two previous publication credits in their genre. For poetry, submit up to five pages; for fiction, one short story, 5,000 words maximum. The contest is open internationally. All finalists will also be published and paid at our normal rates. Manuscripts may be mailed or submitted online: nimrodjournal.submittable.com/submit. Each entry must be accompanied by a $12 entry fee. Email [email protected] or visit artsandsciences.utulsa.edu/nimrod/ for complete rules.

Contest :: 2021 Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

drawn lion head on peach colored backgroundDeadline: September 30, 2021
19th year, sponsored by Winning Writers. Win $3,000 for a poem in any style and $3,000 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. Total prizes: $8,000. The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value). Both published and unpublished work accepted. Winning entries published online. Submit two poems for one $15 entry fee. Length limit: 250 lines per poem. Judged by S. Mei Sheng Frazier. This contest is recommended by Reedsy. See past winners, advice from the judge, and submit onlne at winningwriters.com/tompoetrynp21.

Contest :: Puerto del Sol 2021 Poetry & Prose Contests Currently Open

Puerto del sol 2021 Poetry & Prose Contests bannerDeadline: September 1, 2021
Two months remaining! Puerto del Sol is accepting entries to our annual contest in poetry and prose through September 1. Judges are Eileen Pollack in prose and Todd Dillard in poetry. Winners receive $500 and publication. $9 entry fee includes one-year subscription. All manuscripts entered will be considered for publication. See website for complete guidelines—puertodelsol.org.

Contest :: 1 Month Left to Enter the 2021 Red Wheelbarrow Prize

Red WheelbarrowDeadline: July 31, 2021
The 2021 Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize will be judged by Mark Doty. $1,000 for first place and a letterpress broadside printed by Felicia Rice of Moving Parts Press, $500 for second, $250 for third. Top five published in Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine. Submit up to 3 original, unpublished poems. $15 entry fee. Deadline: July 31, 2021. For complete guidelines, see redwheelbarrow.submittable.com/submit.

Contest :: 1 Month Left to Enter Winter Goose Publishing’s Inaugural Book Awards

Winter Goose Publishing 2021 Book Awards banner$500 & Publication for Fiction and Poetry

Deadline: July 31, 2021
There is still time to enter your fiction or poetry manuscript for a chance to win $500 and publication by Winter Goose Publishing. Honorable mentions may also receive publication. Submissions are being accepted from 5/1 – 7/31. ENTER TODAY before time runs out!

June 2021 eLitPak :: Deadline Extension for 2021 New American Fiction Prize

Screenshot of New American Press's flier for the NewPages June 2021 eLitPak
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Extended Deadline: June 30, 2021
Winner receives $1,500, publication, twenty-five copies, and promotional support. All full-length fiction manuscripts welcome, including novels; novellas; collections of stories, flash fiction, short-shorts; and linked collections. There is no maximum length. To submit, please access our convenient online submission manager. Final judge is Kristen Arnett, the NYT bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things (Tin House, 2019).

June 2021 eLitPak :: Last Call to Win $5,000 for Your Self-Published Book

Screenshot of Winning Writers flier for the NewPages June 2021 eLitPak
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Deadline June 30, 2021
Winning Writers will award a grand prize of $5,000 in its seventh annual North Street Book Prize competition, and $13,750 in all. Co-sponsored by BookBaby and Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Recommended by Reedsy and the Alliance of Independent Authors. $65 entry fee. Submit online or by mail. View full guidelines at our website.

Contest :: Tiferet Extends 2021 Contest Deadline!

Tiferet 2021 Writing Contest extended banner ad
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Extended Deadline: June 30, 2021
The 2021 Tiferet Writing Contest is extending the deadline to submit unpublished poems, stories, and essays to June 30. One prize winner and two honorable mentions will be awarded in each category. The prize winners receive $500 and publication in Tiferet. A $20 fee is required for each entry. You may enter up to six poems, stories of up to 3,000 words, and essays and interviews up to 3,000 words. Our judges for this contest are Christine Valters Paintner (poetry), Laraine Herring (nonfiction), and Murzban F. Schroff (fiction). Learn more at tiferetjournal.com/2021-writing-contest/.

Contest :: Driftwood Press 2021 Adrift Contests

photo of Xu Xi and Traci BrimhallDeadline: July 15, 2021
Xu Xi is this year’s Adrift Short Story Contest guest judge. The winning story receives $500, ten copies of the issue in which their story appears, and a featured interview. Runner-ups receive $200, five copies, and a featured interview. All stories read for the contest are considered for publication, which means your likelihood of publication and placing in the contest is much higher. For our 2019 contest, we selected three stories to publish. Traci Brimhall heads up the Adrift Chapbook Contest this year! This contest winner will be awarded $500, a royalties contract, twenty copies of their chapbook, and an interview to be published alongside their chapbook.

Contest :: 2021 New American Fiction Prize Extended Deadline

Screenshot of New American Press's flier for the NewPages June 2021 eLitPak
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Extended Deadline: June 30, 2021
Winner receives $1,500, publication, twenty-five copies, and promotional support. All full-length fiction manuscripts are welcome, including novels, novellas, collections of stories, flash fiction, short-shorts, and linked collections. Full-length fiction manuscripts tend to be at least 30,000 words. There is no maximum length. To submit, please access our convenient online submission manager. Final judge is Kristen Arnett, the NYT bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things (Tin House, 2019), one of The New York Times top books of 2019 and a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award in fiction.

Arts & Letters 2021 Submission Opportunities

Founded in 1999, Arts & Letters is a nationally circulating journal featuring young, fresh voices as well as established poets and writers. It was founded at Georgia College where it operates out of the MFA program in creative writing. They publish biannually in Spring and Fall with full-color covers designed by Peter Selgin.

They are currently open to submissions for their Unclassifiables contest and Drama Prize. Regular submissions will reopen on August 1. They seek poetry, fiction, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction. They do charge a $3 non-refundable fee. Arts & Letters pays upon acceptance at a rate of $10 per page. Writers also receive a contributor copy and one year subscription.

The Unclassifiables contest is open through July 31 and is for work that blurs, bends, blends, erases, or obliterates genre and other labels. Pieces need to be 5,000 words or less. This year’s judge is Michael Martone. $10 fee. Winner receives $500 and publication.

The Drama Prize is open through June 30 to one-act plays of 30-60 pages that have not yet been produced. $10 fee. Winner receives $500 and travel support to attend the production.

Contest :: 2021 Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize—$1,500 and Publication

Conduit Books & Ephemera logoDeadline: July 5, 2021
Our 4th annual first book prize is open. If you have a manuscript or know someone who does, please give us a shot. Awarded annually to a poet writing in English who has not yet published a full-length poetry book, the prize seeks to represent the best contemporary writing in high quality editions of enduring value. Prospective entrants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Conduit, which champions originality, intelligence, irreverence, and humanity. Previously unpublished manuscripts of 48-90 pages should be submitted through our Submittable page or via the USPS. Bob Hicok is the final judge. Please visit www.conduit.org/book-prizes for details.

Contest :: 2021 Puerto del Sol Prose & Poetry Contest

Puerto del sol 2021 Poetry & Prose Contests bannerDeadline: September 1, 2021
Puerto del Sol will be accepting entries to our annual contest in poetry and prose between May 1 and September 1. Judges are Eileen Pollack in prose and Todd Dillard in poetry. Winners receive $500 and publication. $9 entry fee includes one-year subscription. All manuscripts entered will be considered for publication. See website for complete guidelines—puertodelsol.org. Las year’s winners were Babette Cieskowski with her poem “American Sonnet for My Medical History” and prose “is the watermelon sweet?” by Emily Yang.

Contest :: 15 Days Remain to Enter the 2021 Poet Hunt

Screenshot of The MacGuffin's 26th Annual Poet Hunt
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Poet Hunt 26, Judged by Indigo Moor Closes in 15 Days!!

Deadline: June 15, 2021
Indigo Moor judges the MacGuffin’s 26th Poet Hunt contest, open April 1 through June 15! $500 first prize plus publication; up to two Honorable Mentions will also be published. All entrants receive one copy of this issue. Send no more than five poems per $15 entry fee. Include a cover page that lists your contact info and poem titles. On the following page(s), include your poem(s), beginning each poem on a new page devoid of personally identifiable information to preserve the blind review process. Enter via Submittable, or to enter by email or post, see full rules at schoolcraft.edu/macguffin/contest-rules.

Contest :: Final Month to Enter 2021 North Street Book Prize

sketched lion head surrounded by text reading North Street Book PrizeDeadline: June 30, 2021
Now in its seventh year, the North Street Book Prize is sponsored by Winning Writers and co-sponsored by BookBaby and Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Self-published books in seven categories can win up to $5,000 plus additional benefits. Submit online or by mail. Winning Writers is a partner member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, and this contest is recommended by Reedsy. Entry fee: $65 per book. Free gifts for everyone who enters. Final month to enter! Deadline: June 30. winningwriters.com/northnp21

Contest :: Two Months Left to Enter 2021 Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize

Red WheelbarrowDeadline: July 31, 2021
There’s two months left enter the 2021 Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize judged by Mark Doty. $1,000 for first place and a letterpress broadside printed by Felicia Rice of Moving Parts Press, $500 for second, $250 for third. Top five published in Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine. Submit up to 3 original, unpublished poems. $15 entry fee. Deadline: July 31, 2021. For complete guidelines, see redwheelbarrow.submittable.com/submit.

2021 Tiferet Writing Contest – $1,500 in Prizes!

Tiferet 2021 Writing Contest banner ad
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Deadline: June 15, 2021
The 2021 Tiferet Writing Contest is open to unpublished poems, stories, and essays through June 15. One prize winner and two honorable mentions will be awarded in each category. The prize winners receive $500 and publication in Tiferet. A $20 fee is required for each entry. You may enter up to six poems, stories of up to 3,000 words, and essays and interviews up to 3,000 words. Our judges for this contest are Christine Valters Paintner (poetry), Laraine Herring (nonfiction), and Murzban F. Schroff (fiction). Learn more at tiferetjournal.com/2021-writing-contest/.

Contest :: Last Call for the 2021 Raleigh Review Laux/Millar Poetry Prize

Raleigh Review 2021 Laux/Millar Poetry Prize bannerA firm deadline of June 1, 2021 at midnight EST.
The 2021 Laux/Millar Raleigh Review Poetry Prize deadline is nearing. Dorianne Laux and Joseph Millar are the judges of the finalists. This contest closes to submissions on 01 June 2021 at midnight Eastern Standard Time. Our deadlines are firm at Raleigh Review. Top prize is $500. There is a $15 entry fee to submit, and all entrants will receive a free copy of the fall 2021 prize issue. raleighreview.submittable.com/submit

Contest :: Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Books of 2020

Screenshot of 2021 Silver Falchion Awards Flier
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Deadline: June 15, 2021
Since 2008, the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award competition has recognized the best stories from the previous year. Our judges consist of professional writers, book reviewers, librarians, publicists, and other industry professionals. As this competition was created to help beginning and emerging authors reach new audiences, the focus is on quality, not popularity. There is a $250 cash prize for the best overall work and physical awards are given to the winners of each category. Finalists & semi-finalists will receive written feedback on their work from our judges. Deadline is June 15, 2021. Learn more at killernashville.com/awards/silver-falchion-award/.

Contest :: Under 1 Month Left to Enter Swan Scythe Press’ 2021 Poetry Chapbook Contest

Swan Scythe Press logoDeadline: June 15, 2021
Swan Scythe Press’ 2021 poetry chapbook contest is accepting submissions from March 1 to June 15 (postmark deadline). $18 entry fee. Winner receives $200 and 25 perfect-bound chapbooks. The 2020 winner is Lana Issam Ghannam for Evolution of Stone. For full submission guidelines, visit www.swanscythepress.com and swanscythepress.submittable.com/submit.