2021 APR-JUN Contests & Workshops

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

2021 APR-JUN Contests & Workshops

Below are the Contests for APRIL-JUNE  2021.  Hopefully the new format helps your find what you are looking for faster.  Most of the listing, however, are Multiple Genre.

  • SOME SITES MAY REQUIRE YOU TO JOIN.
  • ★  Indicates Resource New Listing
  • ⭐ Added after mailout.
  • Grayed out – No Contests or Deadline Reached

Added lots of new contests or multiple genre contests to the lists thanks to all who have emailed me.

Mixed Genre

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS

https://www.chantireviews.com/category/contests/  All Contests for All Genre – have to scroll past the 2020 stuff.

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021

Regardless where you are on your writing journey—from wannabe to bestseller—you can benefit from entering contests.
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed keep scrolling.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

ALMOND PRESS

Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.
https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

THE WRITER MAGAZINE

The Writer encourages all of our readers to practice their craft and put their stories in front of the eyes of as many people as possible. Writing contests have always been a vital part of the writing world, giving writers the chance to have their work reviewed by editors and possibly published. Literary journals, universities and even The Writer regularly host writing competitions, helping authors gain exposure and hone their craft.  Choose your inspiration, submit before the deadline, and, as always, keep writing.  Submit your very best essay in 2,000 words or less. Any theme, subject, or genre is fair game, as long as it is nonfiction and falls under 2,000 words.
Many other contests listed be sure to scroll to the bottom and check out the pages

https://www.writermag.com/contests/

NEWFOUND PROSE PRIZE

You know that long story of yours that wickedly exceeds the word counts for journals? Or that micro-essay collection you’ve been crafting that’s still too short to publish as a book? These works deserve to exist in print. Now they have a home.   Deadline: March 15
 
 

PUBLISHING… AND OTHER FORMS OF INSANITY

This January there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

Publishers Accepting Unsolicited Manuscrips:  https://publishehttps://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/p/publishers-looking-for-authors.htmldtodeath.blogspot.com/2021/02/58-calls-for-submissions-in-march-2021.html
Agents Seeking Clients:  https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/p/agents.html
Writing Contests:  https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/p/free-contests.html

THE WRITERS COLLEGE

If you are looking to take your writing to the next level, then entering a writing competition often provides that extra impetus to refine your work.  This is by no means a full list of competitions. Some writing competitions require an entry fee. Others don’t. This seems to be the norm these days and there are credible competitions that require an entry fee. Always check that you are comfortable with sending money to the organizers if this is the case.  Click on More details here (link almost the same color as text)

https://www.thewriterscollege.com/short-story-writing-competitions

NYC MIDNIGHT

Since 2002, NYC Midnight has hosted hundreds of inspiring competitions for storytellers around the world.  Participants are challenged to create original stories, screenplays, or films using assigned elements under time constraints.  If you enjoy a creative challenge, check out our upcoming competitions.
• Short Story Challenge
• Screenwriting Challenge
• Flash Fiction Challenge
• Microfiction Challenge/
• Short Screenplay Challenge

http://www.nycmidnight.com

SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE  

The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce the 2021 San Francisco Writing Contest. The contest is open to all writers everywhere.  The entry fee is $30 per entry and includes a copy of the 2021 SFWC Writing Contest Anthology.  Your entry must fit into one of the following categories:  Sept 2021
* Adult Fiction
* Adult Nonfiction (including memoir)
* Children’s/YA Books
* Poetry

https://www.sfwriters.org/2021-writing-contest-overview/

CHRISTOPHER FIELDEN

Below are tables listing various short story competitions. Some are based in the UK, some are global. Some contests are of high renown (like the BBC Short Story Award or the Bridport Prize), offering huge prizes, and some are lesser known, but offer great opportunities for newer writers to become published authors. I will try and keep this list up to date, but please check the rules and dates on the different competition websites before entering.  PLEASE NOTE: Most of the competitions listed on this page accept entries from writers living anywhere in the world. The country each competition is run from is listed so you know which global market you are submitting to.

https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/short-story-competitions.php#Featured

FAN STORY

A list of several contests for various genre.

https://www.fanstory.com/contestsall.jsp

WRITER’S DIGEST  

(must join to see all posts)
All Contests:  https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions

Annual Writing Competition
ENTER NOW! DEADLINE: 5/7/21 Writer’s Digest’s oldest and most popular competition, the Annual Writing Competition, is open for entries. Winners of the 90th Annual competition will be announced in the Nov/Dec 2021 issue of Writer’s Digest.

https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/annual-writing-competition

SMART BLOGGER

So you want to compete in writing contests for prizes and recognition?  Writing contests are a fun way to evolve your writing skills — and, yes, cash prizes are a nice bonus.  But remember, the emphasis is on fun.  If cash is your primary goal, you should focus your time and energy on landing freelance writing jobs.

https://smartblogger.com/writing-contests/

CANADIAN AUTHORS

A list of contests for 2021

★ BRIDGEPORT PRIZE

For writers everywhere – Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Novels
We are committed to discovering new writers in poetry, short story, flash fiction and the novel. Our alumni reads like a Who’s Who of the literary world: Kate Atkinson MBE, Gail Honeyman and Kit de Waal. Judges have included Roger McGough, Monica Ali and Zoe Heller. Our patron is Fay Weldon. We are a route to being published so send us your words and it could be your name up here next year.
 
Click on+ contest you want from scrolling slideshow or click The Competition in the menu bar to go to specific genre.(menu bar is slow to respond)  Or Choose from The Competition menu for your genre.
 

★ KOTOBEE BLOG

300+ Writing Contests You Need to Enter in 2021 – If there’s one thing we need these days, it’s consistency. Something that proves not everything has changed. Something that gives you a bout of comfort given the current circumstances. So what better way to do that than to know 2021 comes with a host of writing contests for people of all ages from all around the world?

Sort by Genre and Month
blog.kotobee.com/300-writing-contests-2021/

★  STONE SOUP

How to Submit Creative Writing and Art to Stone Soup.  Stone Soup welcomes submissions from around the world by writers and artists ages 13 and younger. All submissions must come to us via Submittable. We do not accept submissions by email or by post.
 

https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/

★ NOTHING IN THE RULEBOOK

41 Writing Competitions for 2021 – Dozens of writing competitions for you to get stuck into during 2021. When we put out our annual compendium of creative writing contests, we were worried it might be the last chance for some of us writers to see our writing win some excellent prizes – what with the threat of total climate collapse and World War III seemingly around the corner. COVID-19 wasn’t even on our radar.

https://nothingintherulebook.com/2021/02/02/41-writing-competitions-for-2021/

★ WRITERS-EDITORS.COM

A varity of contests and genres for 2021.

https://www.writers-editors.com/Writers/Contests/contests.htm

 

Calls for Submissions

PUBLISHING… AND OTHER FORMS OF INSANITY

This January there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

Calls for Submissions
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/p/publishers-looking-for-authors.html

Writing Contests
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/p/free-contests.html

★ STONE SOUP

How to Submit Creative Writing and Art to Stone Soup.  Stone Soup welcomes submissions from around the world by writers and artists ages 13 and younger. All submissions must come to us via Submittable. We do not accept submissions by email or by post.
 

https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/

★ LA SCREEN PLAY AWARDS.COM

SUBMISSIONS:  This is the only screenplay competition founded by a team of working Hollywood professionals with more than 1,000 produced credits and a century of collective industry experience.  Our roster of Senior Judges includes multiple Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and WGA Award Winners.

https://lascreenplayawards.com/

 

Children

BLUE FIRE

Welcome aspiring young authors, and thank you for your interest in the $1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest! We’re looking for an outstanding piece of short fiction that consists of exactly 1000 words. While there are no specific guidelines beyond that, we encourage you to tell a story that matters. Write something you believe in. Tell a story that only you can tell. Our judges have no specific criteria in mind other than to look for excellence. In other words, write something that moves you, that dazzles you, that says precisely what you want to say in precisely the way you want to say it. As long as you do so in precisely 1000 words.  Eligibility:  contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 6-12.

https://www.bluefire.org/about-contest

★ STONE SOUP

How to Submit Creative Writing and Art to Stone Soup.  Stone Soup welcomes submissions from around the world by writers and artists ages 13 and younger. All submissions must come to us via Submittable. We do not accept submissions by email or by post.
 

https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/

Flash Fiction

WOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest

Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 – 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants.

WOW! Women On Writing

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

Fantasy

QUARKNDAGGER.COM

We’ve put together a list of writing contests or places to publish short works. These channels are ideal for young adults (teens), especially those interested in writing sci-fi and fantasy. Scroll through, put it in your calendar and get writing. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, comment below.

https://quarkndagger.com/19-writing-contests-and-publication-outlets-for-young-adults/ 

Fiction

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

⭐ WRITERS UNITE

Must be a follower of Writers Unite! on Web https://writersuniteweb.wordpress.com/  (Click on Follow or join via email.)

Write a fiction story based on the theme “Courage.”

  • Contributors’ work must be original and not posted on any website, social media site, magazine, or traditionally or self-published. No exceptions.
  • Word count must not exceed 3000 words (minimum 1000 words).
  • Story must be fiction and rated G, PG, or R. (No excessive gore or erotica.)
  • Only one submission per author.
  • Stories submitted via email at writersunite16@gmail.com
    Subject Line: “2021 Short Story Contest.”
  • Submissions deadline May 31, 2021 11:59 p.m. E.T.
  • A panel of three experienced authors will judge the stories anonymously.

 

Mystery - Suspense

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS

The Mystery & Mayhem Awards ~ Cozy Mystery Novel Writing Contest ~2021
The search for 2021’s best Cozy & Not-So-Cozy Mystery Fiction Books
Deadline April 30th, 2021
ENTER TO WIN the 2021 CIBA Overall Grand Prize of $1,000 USD for Best Book
https://www.chantireviews.com/services/Cozy-Mystery-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p21521076

ARIZONA MYSTERY WRITERS

Arizona Mystery Writers Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest  http://www.arizonamysterywriters.com/?page_id=3486
http://www.arizonamysterywriters.com/?page_id=1449

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense

Sponsor: Kiss of Death Chapter
Fee: $15 for KOD members, $30 for non-KOD members
Deadline: March 15, 2021 (categories close when caps are reached)
Eligibility: unpublished manuscripts and books published in 2019 and 2020.
Categories: Short Romantic Mystery/Suspense (40K-65K); Long Romantic Mystery/Suspense (65K+); Historical Romantic Mystery/Suspense; Inspirational Romantic Mystery/Suspense; Paranormal Romantic Mystery Suspense; Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.
FMI, visit https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/rwakissofdeath-org-contest/.

Non Fiction

★ CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL

https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

Deadlines:
ANGLES: Angels and miracles are all around us if we keep our eyes open. Have you experienced a divine intervention, answered prayer, or other miraculous occurrence courtesy of someone you think just might have been an angel. Do you have a guardian angel who seems to swoop in and help you when you need it?   June 1, 2021

CHRISTMAS: We are looking for stories about the entire holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s. Please make sure that they are “Santa safe” so that we don’t spoil the magic for precocious readers.  May 15

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS – Gratitude is one of the keys to happiness. Even during the toughest times, if we can find our gratitude and count our blessings we feel better. Back in 2009, when we were going through a deep recession, we received thousands of stories from people who were still counting their blessings and finding their joy.   April 20

HUMOROUS STORIES – Laughter is the best medicine. And we love to publish your funny stories—in all our books. Our first ever book filled with nothing but funny stories was a bestseller, so we’re doing it again, for publication in 2022. We’re looking for those funny stories you tell again and again. The ones that make everyone laugh. August 30

TOUGH TIMES – Tough times won’t last but tough people will. It’s time for us to share our own stories about how we’ve overcome tough times ourselves, both during the pandemic and prior to that. This book will be published November 2, 2021 so we’re hoping the pandemic will be in the rearview mirror at that point.  Story and Poetry March 31

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021

Regardless where you are on your writing journey—from wannabe to bestseller—you can benefit from entering contests.
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

WRITERS ONLINE

Non-fiction competition: 2021 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & Lewitt Studios Essay Prize – Fitzcarraldo Editions are inviting entries for the 2021 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & Lewitt Studios Essay Prize for writers who have yet to secure a publishing deal.  The winner will receive £3,000, a publishing deal and the chance to spend three months at the Mahler & Lewitt Studios in Spoleto, Italy, to work on their book.  Enter a proposal up to 5,000 words for a book length essay (minimum 25,000 words) by the closing date of 15 March.

https://www.writers-online.co.uk/news/non-fiction-competition-2021-fitzcarraldo-editions-mahler-lewitt-stu/

Poetry

POETS & WRITERS WRITING CONTESTS, GRANTS & AWARDS

The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.  Sort by Genre, date, etc., using their filter
https://www.pw.org/grants?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Y29xan-5QIVGKSzCh3cQwAmEAMYAiAAEgJXqvD_BwE

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

ALMOND PRESS

Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.  Scroll to view contests.

https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

★ BRIDGEPORT PRIZE

For writers everywhere – Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Novels
We are committed to discovering new writers in poetry, short story, flash fiction and the novel. Our alumni reads like a Who’s Who of the literary world: Kate Atkinson MBE, Gail Honeyman and Kit de Waal. Judges have included Roger McGough, Monica Ali and Zoe Heller. Our patron is Fay Weldon. We are a route to being published so send us your words and it could be your name up here next year.
 
Click on+ contest you want from scrolling slideshow or click The Competition in the menu bar to go to specific genre.(menu bar is slow to respond)
 

WRITERS ONLINE

Poetry competition: Plough 2021 –  The competition is for original, unpublished poetry up to 40 lines. The first prize is £1,000 and there are second and third prizes of £500 and £250. The entry fee is £5 per poem online, and £6 per poem for postal entries. The closing date is 31 March.

https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/poetry-prize

Romance

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA

https://www.rwa.org/Online/Events/Chapter_Events.aspx

APRIL CONTESTS

2021 Stiletto Contest
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Deadline: April 1, 2021
Eligibility: unpublished and published divisions
Categories: Contemporary short-mid-long, YA/NA, Chicklit/Women’s Fiction
FMI, https://contemporaryromance.org/2021-stiletto-contest/

2nd Annual 25-4-25
Sponsor: Hudson Valley RWA
Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Entry: receive a developmental edit by published and soon-to-be-published authors on the first twenty-five pages of your manuscript for only $25!
Judges: experienced published and unpublished authors
FMI, entry form, rules, and a sample of the scoresheet, please visit http://www.hudsonvalleyrwa.org/25-4-25 or email hudsonvalleycontest@gmail.com.

Book Buyers Best Contest for Published Authors
Sponsor: Orange County (CA) RWA
Fee: $30
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Eligibility: a romance novel traditionally, or independently published in 2020
Judges: readers of romance
Top Pick Judge: librarian or bookseller
FMI, http://OCCRWA.org

 

Science Fiction

BALTIMORE SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY

Check out their contests menu – changes when contests available  April 15, 2021

https://www.bsfs.org/bsfsssc.htm

QUARKNDAGGER.COM

We’ve put together a list of writing contests or places to publish short works. These channels are ideal for young adults (teens), especially those interested in writing sci-fi and fantasy. Scroll through, put it in your calendar and get writing. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, comment below.

https://quarkndagger.com/19-writing-contests-and-publication-outlets-for-young-adults/ 

Screenwriting

PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS

Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read our winning scripts. As a result, dozens of our past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theaters.  April 15
https://pageawards.com/the-contest/how-to-enter/

All Contests:  https://pageawards.com/the-contest/

★ LA SCREEN PLAY AWARDS.COM

SUBMISSIONS:  This is the only screenplay competition founded by a team of working Hollywood professionals with more than 1,000 produced credits and a century of collective industry experience.  Our roster of Senior Judges includes multiple Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and WGA Award Winners.

https://lascreenplayawards.com/

 

Self Publishing

PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS

Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read our winning scripts. As a result, dozens of our past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theaters.  March 15
https://pageawards.com/the-contest/how-to-enter/

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

 

Short Story

ALMOND PRESS

Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.

https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021

Regardless where you are on your writing journey—from wannabe to bestseller—you can benefit from entering contests.

https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

STONEY BOOK SOUTHAMTON

Only undergraduates enrolled full time in United States and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year 2020-2021 are eligible. This Prize has traditionally encouraged submissions from students with an Asian background, but we urge all students to enter.  Deadline: June 1, 2021

https://www.stonybrook.edu/southampton/mfa/special_programs/fiction_guidelines.html

2021 ABR ELIZABETH JOLLEY SHORT STORY PRIZE

Entries are opening soon on 21 January 2021 for the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The Jolley Prize is worth a total of AU$12,500 – first place will receive $6,000, second place will receive $4,000, and third place will receive $2,500.  The Jolley Prize is open to all short story writers writing in English. We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words.  May 3

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/

AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW

Entries are currently open for the 2021 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The Jolley Prize is worth a total of AU$12,500 – first place will receive $6,000, second place will receive $4,000, and third place will receive $2,500.  The Jolley Prize is open to all short story writers writing in English. We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/  contest over for 2021

THE NATIONAL FANTASY FAN FEDERATION

This contest is open to all amateur writers in the field, regardless of whether they’re members of the National Fantasy Fan Federation. For the purposes of this contest, we define an amateur as someone who has sold no more than two (2) stories to professional science fiction or fantasy publications or publishing houses.  Dec, 20, 2020 deadline

http://n3f.org/short-story-contest/ 

ANTHOLOGY MAGAZINE

The Anthology Short Story Award is now open for entries.  Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, it is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Stories submitted must be on the theme of ‘Memories’ and not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish.  Deadline: July 31, 2021

 

★ TCK PUBLISHING

If you enjoy writing short stories, or have just recently started experimenting, entering your work in short story contests can be a great way to hone your talent and get exposure for your work.  Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities out there, and many of them come with a chance to win cash prizes or publication in a magazine! We’ve put together a list of short story contests that you can enter today so you can grow your confidence and your skills.

https://www.tckpublishing.com/short-story-contests/

⭐ WRITERS UNITE

Must be a follower of Writers Unite! on Web https://writersuniteweb.wordpress.com/  (Click on Follow or join via email.)

Write a fiction story based on the theme “Courage.”

  • Contributors’ work must be original and not posted on any website, social media site, magazine, or traditionally or self-published. No exceptions.
  • Word count must not exceed 3000 words (minimum 1000 words).
  • Story must be fiction and rated G, PG, or R. (No excessive gore or erotica.)
  • Only one submission per author.
  • Stories submitted via email at writersunite16@gmail.com
    Subject Line: “2021 Short Story Contest.”
  • Submissions deadline May 31, 2021 11:59 p.m. E.T.
  • A panel of three experienced authors will judge the stories anonymously.
  • https://writersuniteweb.wordpress.com/2021/03/01/welcome-to-writers-unites-2021-short-story-contest/

Students and Teachers

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE, FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, FOR TEACHERS
25 Writing Contests and Publication Opportunities for Teensby Marianna Vertsman, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Have to scroll down the page to see the 2021 Contests.

Have to scroll down the page to see 2021 contests:  https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/10/26/writing-competitions-young-adults

GEEK PARTNERSHIP SOCIETY

A chance to learn about the publication process and its requirements. The submission requirements are not negotiable, nor should this contest be used as a required class exercise by teachers. Teachers, please encourage your students to enter our contest but don’t make it a homework assignment.  Entries must be science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural, and alternate history in short fiction, poetry, or comics.  Deadline: July 1, 2021

https://geekpartnership.org/programs/writing-contest

Teens - Young Adults

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS

TEEN INK: is one of the most popular and diverse writing spaces to get published in high school. The broad categories for publication reflect the diversity of writing that this lively online magazine celebrates. Some publication categories include: community service, travel and culture, the environment, health, reviews of TV shows and video games, and college essays, among the more traditional poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Visit online at: http://www.teenink.com/

AGNI: is Boston University’s well-respected journal. It appears in both print and online. AGNI submissions are not limited to high school writers, but the journal is known to accept and publish lots of work by new writers. Get published in high school at AGNI and you’ve taken an important step to becoming a writer in the real world! Find them online at: http://www.bu.edu/agni/submit.html

THE ADROIT JOURNAL: is run by high school students, college students, and emerging writers. Adroit publishes within “over 21” and “under 21” categories, so your writing will appear alongside great work by writers of any age. Adroit publishes fiction and poetry, and includes art and photography. They will reopen our submission reading period in January 2021. Find them online at: http://www.theadroitjournal.org/

EMBER: only published twice a year, but this beautiful and dreamy journal of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction appeals to all age groups. Although it doesn’t exclusively publish young writers, submissions from writers and artists ages 10 to 18 are strongly encouraged. Submissions open in February of 2021. For more details, visit them online at: http://emberjournal.org/

POLYPHONY LIT: invites submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction from high school students worldwide. Student editors provide feedback to all submissions, including the ones not accepted for publication. Submissions are open from July 1 2020 – April 30, 2020. More details can be found at https://www.polyphonylit.org/.

SELECT YOUTH CONTESTS

HOT DISH MAGAZINE, an online journal serving up a bubbling mixture of poetry and fiction by teens (grades 9–12), wants your voice to be heard! We award cash prizes for fiction, poetry, and the Hot Dish Challenge. Our submission period is October-January. Visit us at www.hotdishmagazine.com.

GIRLS RIGHT THE WORLD is a literary journal inviting young, female-identified writers and artists, ages 14–21, to submit work for consideration for the fourth annual issue. We believe girls’ voices transform the world for the better. We accept poetry, prose, and visual art of any style or theme. We ask to be the first to publish your work in North America; after publication, the rights return to you. Please include a note mentioning your age, where you’re from, and a bit about your submission. Send your best work, in English or English translation, to girlsrighttheworld@gmail.com between September 1 and December 31.  https://www.girlswritenow.org/contests/

THE LUMIERE REVIEW is a literary magazine dedicated to shining the light on all voices (particularly young creatives) through poetry, prose, and art. We’ll be running our first annual writing contest for poetry and prose, which will be open for submission from December 1st to January 15th. Updates will be made on our social media accounts (@lumierereview on twitter and instagram). Details on the contest guidelines can be found at https://lumierereview.com/contest.

PRINCIPIA PERSPECTIVES WRITING CONTEST is an annual writing contest that centers around a specific theme each year. This year, the theme is family. What stories define “family” for you? We don’t limit “family” to blood relatives; any person, group of people, or community that fulfills that role is an option. We also don’t want to limit you to COVID-19 stories—the purpose here is not to reflect on the pandemic, but rather, family. Anything goes as long as the theme is addressed in a thoughtful manner. The contest is open to middle and high schoolers. View contest details and guidelines at https://www.principiatutors.com/principia-perspectives-contest.

NEWS PAGES

Where young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit the publication’s website. Ages can include elementary, teen, or early college. This is an ad-free resource: publications and writing contests listed here have not paid to be included. This guide is maintained by Editor Denise Hill, a teacher who loves to encourage young writers.

Sort Deadline by Month:  https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide-to-contests

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE, FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, FOR TEACHERS
25 Writing Contests and Publication Opportunities for Teens by Marianna Vertsman, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Have to scroll down the page to see the 2021 Contests.

Have to scroll down the page to see 2021 contests:
 https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/10/26/writing-competitions-young-adults

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE

Several different contests and different sites.

http://hshla.org/writing-contests

QUARKNDAGGER.COM

We’ve put together a list of writing contests or places to publish short works. These channels are ideal for young adults (teens), especially those interested in writing sci-fi and fantasy. Scroll through, put it in your calendar and get writing. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, comment below.

https://quarkndagger.com/19-writing-contests-and-publication-outlets-for-young-adults/ 

Worklshops / Chapter Events

Romance Writers of America
APRIL 2021 ONLINE WORKSHOPS

The Creative Brilliance Academy Part 2
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: April 1–30, 2021
Presenter: Deb Riley-Magnus
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Ground You Readers from Page 1
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: April 4–30, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

How to Write Sports Romances (Craft)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: April 4–30, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Take Your Characters from Flat to Fabulous
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: April 4–30, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Manage Your Social Media with HootSuite
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: April 5–11, 2021
Presenter: Denise Alicea
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Bling Your Book! Self-Editing for Novelists
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: April 5–30, 2021
Presenter: Preslaysa Williams
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

On Your Mark, Get Set — Starting Your Novel in the Right Place
Sponsor: From the Heart Romance Writers
Fee: free, FTHRW members; $25, non-members
Dates: April 5–30, 2021
Registration Deadline: April 2, 2021
Presenter: Catherine Chant
FMI, http://fthrw.com/workshops

Reflective Writing: A Journal Workshop for Writers
Sponsor: NEORWA
Fee: $20
Date: April 5–30, 2021
Presenter: Joy E. Held
FMI, http://www.neorwa.com/online-workshops/upcoming-meetings

Weapons and your Characters: Let’s Get Real
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: April 5–30, 2021
Presenter: M.A. Taylor
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Writing the Comedic Mystery
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: April 12–23, 2021
Presenter: Beth Daniels
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

The Novel Brain Map: How to Create Intricate Plots and Unforgettable Characters
Sponsor: Georgia Romance Writers
Fee: free, GRW members; $25, non-members
Date: April 17, 2021
Presenter: Shirley Jump, NYT and USA Today bestselling author
FMI, visit http://georgiaromancewriters.org

Twitter Pitching: #FUN
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: April 17, 2021, at 8 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. CST / 5 p.m. PST
Presenter: Mariah Ankenman
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Plan to Succeed
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: April 24, 2021, at 1 p.m. EST/12 p.m. CST/10 a.m. PST
Presenter: Camille Pagán
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

CHAPTER EVENTS
Local RWA chapters offer a number of  workshops. 

Aged to Perfection – “Where the Heck Do I Start?” (Self-Publishing)
Begin Date: 04/01/2021     End Date: 04/30/2021
Thinking about self-publishing? Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of taking on what some call a monumental task?  Then you definitely need this workshop which will introduce you to self-pub in a non-frightening way, give you a basic understanding of what to expect during the process, and help you be prepared to navigate the steps.
Register: https://a2psr.rwa.org/A2PSR/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=A2PAPR21_2

VIEW THE REST OF THE CHAPTER EVENTS HERE:  (over 24 pages)  https://www.rwa.org/Online/Events/Chapter_Events/Online/Events/Chapter_Events.aspx?hkey=5ed926dc-351f-476d-9c1a-fa8ccb35671a#Contests

 

⭐ Added After Mailout on April 1, 2021

No additional contests yet.

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

SUBSCRIBE to our Mailing List to receive notification of new Contests and Posts.

* indicates required
/ / ( mm / dd / yyyy )
Email Format

2021 MAR-MAY Contests & Workshops

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

2021 MAR-MAY Contests & Workshops

Hello Writing Corner Contest Group Member.  Below are the Contests for MARCH – MAY 2021.  I’m trying a new format that, hopefully, helps your find what you are looking for faster.  Most of the listing, however, are Multiple Genre.

  • I have added several new contest sites.  If you would like me to add a site, please let me know.
  • SOME SITES MAY REQUIRE YOU TO JOIN.
  • ★  Indicates Resource New Listing
  • ⭐ Added after mailout.
  • I also received notification that there are 20 New Literary Agents Seeking Writers  Here’s your chance to get published.

Added lots of new contests or multiple genre contests to the lists thanks to all  who have emailed me.

Mixed Genre

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS

https://www.chantireviews.com/category/contests/  All Contests for All Genre

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021

Regardless where you are on your writing journey—from wannabe to bestseller—you can benefit from entering contests. You need to scrool down to see the 2021 contests.
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

ALMOND PRESS

Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.
https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

THE WRITER MAGAZINE

The Writer encourages all of our readers to practice their craft and put their stories in front of the eyes of as many people as possible. Writing contests have always been a vital part of the writing world, giving writers the chance to have their work reviewed by editors and possibly published. Literary journals, universities and even The Writer regularly host writing competitions, helping authors gain exposure and hone their craft.  Choose your inspiration, submit before the deadline, and, as always, keep writing.  Submit your very best essay in 2,000 words or less. Any theme, subject, or genre is fair game, as long as it is nonfiction and falls under 2,000 words.
Deadline March 10, 2021   Many other contests listed be sure to scroll to the bottom and check out the pages

https://www.writermag.com/contests/

PUBLISHING… AND OTHER FORMS OF INSANITY

This January there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

58 Calls for Submissions:  https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2021/02/58-calls-for-submissions-in-march-2021.html
62 Writing Contests:  https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2021/02/52-writing-contests-in-march-2021-no.html

THE WRITERS COLLEGE

If you are looking to take your writing to the next level, then entering a writing competition often provides that extra impetus to refine your work.  This is by no means a full list of competitions. Some writing competitions require an entry fee. Others don’t. This seems to be the norm these days and there are credible competitions that require an entry fee. Always check that you are comfortable with sending money to the organizers if this is the case.  Click on More details here (link almost the same color as text)

https://www.thewriterscollege.com/short-story-writing-competitions

NYC MIDNIGHT

Since 2002, NYC Midnight has hosted hundreds of inspiring competitions for storytellers around the world.  Participants are challenged to create original stories, screenplays, or films using assigned elements under time constraints.  If you enjoy a creative challenge, check out our upcoming competitions.
• Short Story Challenge
• Screenwriting Challenge
• Flash Fiction Challenge
• Microfiction Challenge/
• Short Screenplay Challenge

http://www.nycmidnight.com

SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE  

The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce the 2021 San Francisco Writing Contest. The contest is open to all writers everywhere.  The entry fee is $30 per entry and includes a copy of the 2021 SFWC Writing Contest Anthology.  Your entry must fit into one of the following categories:  Sept 2021
* Adult Fiction
* Adult Nonfiction (including memoir)
* Children’s/YA Books
* Poetry

https://www.sfwriters.org/2021-writing-contest-overview/

CHRISTOPHER FIELDEN

Below are tables listing various short story competitions. Some are based in the UK, some are global. Some contests are of high renown (like the BBC Short Story Award or the Bridport Prize), offering huge prizes, and some are lesser known, but offer great opportunities for newer writers to become published authors. I will try and keep this list up to date, but please check the rules and dates on the different competition websites before entering.  PLEASE NOTE: Most of the competitions listed on this page accept entries from writers living anywhere in the world. The country each competition is run from is listed so you know which global market you are submitting to.

https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/short-story-competitions.php#Featured

FAN STORY

A list of several contests for various genre.

https://www.fanstory.com/contestsall.jsp

WRITER’S DIGEST  

(must join to see all posts)
All Contests:  https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions

Annual Writing Competition
ENTER NOW! DEADLINE: 5/7/21 Writer’s Digest’s oldest and most popular competition, the Annual Writing Competition, is open for entries. Winners of the 90th Annual competition will be announced in the Nov/Dec 2021 issue of Writer’s Digest.

https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/annual-writing-competition

★  NEWFOUND PROSE PRIZE

You know that long story of yours that wickedly exceeds the word counts for journals? Or that micro-essay collection you’ve been crafting that’s still too short to publish as a book? These works deserve to exist in print. Now they have a home.   Deadline: March 15
 
 

★ SMART BLOGGER

So you want to compete in writing contests for prizes and recognition?  Writing contests are a fun way to evolve your writing skills — and, yes, cash prizes are a nice bonus.  But remember, the emphasis is on fun.  If cash is your primary goal, you should focus your time and energy on landing freelance writing jobs.

https://smartblogger.com/writing-contests/

★ CANADIAN AUTHORS

A list of contests for 2021

⭐ BRIDGEPORT PRIZE

For writers everywhere – Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Novels
We are committed to discovering new writers in poetry, short story, flash fiction and the novel. Our alumni reads like a Who’s Who of the literary world: Kate Atkinson MBE, Gail Honeyman and Kit de Waal. Judges have included Roger McGough, Monica Ali and Zoe Heller. Our patron is Fay Weldon. We are a route to being published so send us your words and it could be your name up here next year.
 
Click on+ contest you want from scrolling slideshow or click The Competition in the menu bar to go to specific genre.(menu bar is slow to respond)
 

⭐ KOTOBEE BLOG

300+ Writing Contests You Need to Enter in 2021 – If there’s one thing we need these days, it’s consistency. Something that proves not everything has changed. Something that gives you a bout of comfort given the current circumstances. So what better way to do that than to know 2021 comes with a host of writing contests for people of all ages from all around the world?

Sort by Genre and Month
blog.kotobee.com/300-writing-contests-2021/

⭐  STONE SOUP

How to Submit Creative Writing and Art to Stone Soup.  Stone Soup welcomes submissions from around the world by writers and artists ages 13 and younger. All submissions must come to us via Submittable. We do not accept submissions by email or by post.
 

https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/

⭐ NOTHING IN THE RULEBOOK

41 Writing Competitions for 2021 – Dozens of writing competitions for you to get stuck into during 2021. When we put out our annual compendium of creative writing contests, we were worried it might be the last chance for some of us writers to see our writing win some excellent prizes – what with the threat of total climate collapse and World War III seemingly around the corner. COVID-19 wasn’t even on our radar.

https://nothingintherulebook.com/2021/02/02/41-writing-competitions-for-2021/

⭐ WRITERS-EDITORS.COM

A varity of contests and genres for 2021.

https://www.writers-editors.com/Writers/Contests/contests.htm

 

Calls for Submissions

PUBLISHING… AND OTHER FORMS OF INSANITY

This January there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

58 Calls for Submissions
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2021/02/58-calls-for-submissions-in-march-2021.html

62 Writing Contests
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2021/02/52-writing-contests-in-march-2021-no.html

⭐  STONE SOUP

How to Submit Creative Writing and Art to Stone Soup.  Stone Soup welcomes submissions from around the world by writers and artists ages 13 and younger. All submissions must come to us via Submittable. We do not accept submissions by email or by post.
 

https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/

⭐ LA SCREEN PLAY AWARDS.COM

SUBMISSIONS:  This is the only screenplay competition founded by a team of working Hollywood professionals with more than 1,000 produced credits and a century of collective industry experience.  Our roster of Senior Judges includes multiple Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and WGA Award Winners.

https://lascreenplayawards.com/

 

Children

BLUE FIRE

Welcome aspiring young authors, and thank you for your interest in the $1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest! We’re looking for an outstanding piece of short fiction that consists of exactly 1000 words. While there are no specific guidelines beyond that, we encourage you to tell a story that matters. Write something you believe in. Tell a story that only you can tell. Our judges have no specific criteria in mind other than to look for excellence. In other words, write something that moves you, that dazzles you, that says precisely what you want to say in precisely the way you want to say it. As long as you do so in precisely 1000 words.  Eligibility:  contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 6-12.

https://www.bluefire.org/about-contest

Flash Fiction

WOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest

Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 – 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants.

WOW! Women On Writing

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

Fantasy

QUARKNDAGGER.COM

We’ve put together a list of writing contests or places to publish short works. These channels are ideal for young adults (teens), especially those interested in writing sci-fi and fantasy. Scroll through, put it in your calendar and get writing. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, comment below.

https://quarkndagger.com/19-writing-contests-and-publication-outlets-for-young-adults/ 

Fiction

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

 

Mystery - Suspense

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS

The Mystery & Mayhem Awards ~ Cozy Mystery Novel Writing Contest ~2021
The search for 2021’s best Cozy & Not-So-Cozy Mystery Fiction Books
Deadline April 30th, 2021
ENTER TO WIN the 2021 CIBA Overall Grand Prize of $1,000 USD for Best Book
https://www.chantireviews.com/services/Cozy-Mystery-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p21521076

ARIZONA MYSTERY WRITERS

No 2021 contests listed
Arizona Mystery Writers Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest
http://www.arizonamysterywriters.com/?page_id=1449

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense

Sponsor: Kiss of Death Chapter
Fee: $15 for KOD members, $30 for non-KOD members
Deadline: March 15, 2021 (categories close when caps are reached)
Eligibility: unpublished manuscripts and books published in 2019 and 2020.
Categories: Short Romantic Mystery/Suspense (40K-65K); Long Romantic Mystery/Suspense (65K+); Historical Romantic Mystery/Suspense; Inspirational Romantic Mystery/Suspense; Paranormal Romantic Mystery Suspense; Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.
FMI, visit https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/rwakissofdeath-org-contest/.

Non Fiction

★ CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL

https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

Deadlines:
ANGLES: Angels and miracles are all around us if we keep our eyes open. Have you experienced a divine intervention, answered prayer, or other miraculous occurrence courtesy of someone you think just might have been an angel. Do you have a guardian angel who seems to swoop in and help you when you need it?   March 31

CHRISTMAS: We are looking for stories about the entire holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s. Please make sure that they are “Santa safe” so that we don’t spoil the magic for precocious readers.  May 15

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS – Gratitude is one of the keys to happiness. Even during the toughest times, if we can find our gratitude and count our blessings we feel better. Back in 2009, when we were going through a deep recession, we received thousands of stories from people who were still counting their blessings and finding their joy.   April 20

HUMOROUS STORIES – Laughter is the best medicine. And we love to publish your funny stories—in all our books. Our first ever book filled with nothing but funny stories was a bestseller, so we’re doing it again, for publication in 2022. We’re looking for those funny stories you tell again and again. The ones that make everyone laugh. August 30

TOUGH TIMES – Tough times won’t last but tough people will. It’s time for us to share our own stories about how we’ve overcome tough times ourselves, both during the pandemic and prior to that. This book will be published November 2, 2021 so we’re hoping the pandemic will be in the rearview mirror at that point.  Story and Poetry March 31

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021

Regardless where you are on your writing journey—from wannabe to bestseller—you can benefit from entering contests.
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

WRITERS ONLINE

Non-fiction competition: 2021 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & Lewitt Studios Essay Prize – Fitzcarraldo Editions are inviting entries for the 2021 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & Lewitt Studios Essay Prize for writers who have yet to secure a publishing deal.  The winner will receive £3,000, a publishing deal and the chance to spend three months at the Mahler & Lewitt Studios in Spoleto, Italy, to work on their book.  Enter a proposal up to 5,000 words for a book length essay (minimum 25,000 words) by the closing date of 15 March.

https://www.writers-online.co.uk/news/non-fiction-competition-2021-fitzcarraldo-editions-mahler-lewitt-stu/

Poetry

POETS & WRITERS WRITING CONTESTS, GRANTS & AWARDS

The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
https://www.pw.org/grants?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Y29xan-5QIVGKSzCh3cQwAmEAMYAiAAEgJXqvD_BwE

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

ALMOND PRESS

Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.

https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

WRITERS ONLINE

Poetry competition: Plough 2021 –  The competition is for original, unpublished poetry up to 40 lines. The first prize is £1,000 and there are second and third prizes of £500 and £250. The entry fee is £5 per poem online, and £6 per poem for postal entries. The closing date is 31 March.

https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/poetry-prize

Romance

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA

MARCH 2021 CONTESTS

21st Annual FHL Reader’s Choice Award
Sponsor: Faith, Hope and Love Chapter
Fee: $25 FHL members, $35 non-members
Deadline: March 1, 2021
Eligibility: Christian fiction books with a 2020 copyright.
Entry: Four new autographed copies of each entry.
Categories: Long Contemporary, Short Contemporary, Long Historical, Short Historical, Women’s Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Novella
Judges: Readers of Christian fiction
Top Prize: Winner in each category receives an engraved box.
FMI: http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/fhlrca-contest/
Or contest coordinator: Nancy J. Farrier: nancyjfarrier@gmail.com

Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense**
Sponsor: Kiss of Death Chapter
Fee: $15 for KOD members, $30 for non-KOD members
Deadline: March 15, 2021 (categories close when caps are reached)
Eligibility: unpublished manuscripts and books published in 2019 and 2020.
Categories: Short Romantic Mystery/Suspense (40K-65K); Long Romantic Mystery/Suspense (65K+); Historical Romantic Mystery/Suspense; Inspirational Romantic Mystery/Suspense; Paranormal Romantic Mystery Suspense; Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.
FMI, visit https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/rwakissofdeath-org-contest/.

National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA)*
Sponsor: First Coast Romance Writers
Fee: $35 (+$5 for Best First Book entry)
Deadline: March 31, 2021, for registration and payment.
Eligibility: Entries must have an original copyright date and for sale in the United States in 2019 -2020. Entries must be book-length fiction with a minimum of 40,000 words (except romantic novella category).
Entry: Submit a PDF file to the contest coordinator within March 1 – 31, 2021.
Categories: Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense, Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, Romance with Religious Elements, Young Adult Romance, Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance, Erotic Romance, Romantic Novella (Under 40Kwords) and Best First Book Category (in addition to another category) for a $5 fee.
Judges: Romance readers
Final Judges: Librarians, bloggers and booksellers
Prizes: All 2021 finalists will receive a NERFA Finalist web logo and certificate. Winners will receive a NERFA Winner web logo and trophy. Finalists and winners will be announced in the Romance Writers Report and on the FCRW website.
FMI, visit http://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/national-excellence-in-romance-fiction-award/

APRIL CONTESTS

2021 Stiletto Contest
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Deadline: April 1, 2021
Eligibility: unpublished and published divisions
Categories: Contemporary short-mid-long, YA/NA, Chicklit/Women’s Fiction
FMI, https://contemporaryromance.org/2021-stiletto-contest/

2nd Annual 25-4-25
Sponsor: Hudson Valley RWA
Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Entry: receive a developmental edit by published and soon-to-be-published authors on the first twenty-five pages of your manuscript for only $25!
Judges: experienced published and unpublished authors
FMI, entry form, rules, and a sample of the scoresheet, please visit http://www.hudsonvalleyrwa.org/25-4-25 or email hudsonvalleycontest@gmail.com.

Book Buyers Best Contest for Published Authors
Sponsor: Orange County (CA) RWA
Fee: $30
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Eligibility: a romance novel traditionally, or independently published in 2020
Judges: readers of romance
Top Pick Judge: librarian or bookseller
FMI, http://OCCRWA.org

 

Science Fiction

BALTIMORE SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY

Check out their contests menu – changes when contests available

https://www.bsfs.org/bsfsssc.htm

QUARKNDAGGER.COM

We’ve put together a list of writing contests or places to publish short works. These channels are ideal for young adults (teens), especially those interested in writing sci-fi and fantasy. Scroll through, put it in your calendar and get writing. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, comment below.

https://quarkndagger.com/19-writing-contests-and-publication-outlets-for-young-adults/ 

Screenwriting

PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS

Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read our winning scripts. As a result, dozens of our past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theaters.  March 15
https://pageawards.com/the-contest/how-to-enter/

⭐ LA SCREEN PLAY AWARDS.COM

SUBMISSIONS:  This is the only screenplay competition founded by a team of working Hollywood professionals with more than 1,000 produced credits and a century of collective industry experience.  Our roster of Senior Judges includes multiple Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and WGA Award Winners.

https://lascreenplayawards.com/

 

Self Publishing

PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS

Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read our winning scripts. As a result, dozens of our past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theaters.  March 15
https://pageawards.com/the-contest/how-to-enter/

REEDSY BEST WRITING CONTESTS OF 2021

Several contests for 2021 listed.
https://https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/

 

Short Story

ALMOND PRESS

Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.

https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021

Regardless where you are on your writing journey—from wannabe to bestseller—you can benefit from entering contests.

https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

STONEY BOOK SOUTHAMTON

Only undergraduates enrolled full time in United States and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year 2020-2021 are eligible. This Prize has traditionally encouraged submissions from students with an Asian background, but we urge all students to enter.

https://www.stonybrook.edu/southampton/mfa/special_programs/fiction_guidelines.html

2021 ABR ELIZABETH JOLLEY SHORT STORY PRIZE

Entries are opening soon on 21 January 2021 for the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The Jolley Prize is worth a total of AU$12,500 – first place will receive $6,000, second place will receive $4,000, and third place will receive $2,500.  The Jolley Prize is open to all short story writers writing in English. We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words.  May 3

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/

AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW

Entries are currently open for the 2021 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The Jolley Prize is worth a total of AU$12,500 – first place will receive $6,000, second place will receive $4,000, and third place will receive $2,500.  The Jolley Prize is open to all short story writers writing in English. We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/  contest over for 2021

THE NATIONAL FANTASY FAN FEDERATION

This contest is open to all amateur writers in the field, regardless of whether they’re members of the National Fantasy Fan Federation. For the purposes of this contest, we define an amateur as someone who has sold no more than two (2) stories to professional science fiction or fantasy publications or publishing houses.  July 1, 2021 deadline

http://n3f.org/short-story-contest/

ANTHOLOGY MAGAZINE

The Anthology Short Story Award is now open for entries.  Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, it is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Stories submitted must be on the theme of ‘Memories’ and not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish.

 

★ TCK PUBLISHING

If you enjoy writing short stories, or have just recently started experimenting, entering your work in short story contests can be a great way to hone your talent and get exposure for your work.  Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities out there, and many of them come with a chance to win cash prizes or publication in a magazine! We’ve put together a list of short story contests that you can enter today so you can grow your confidence and your skills.

https://www.tckpublishing.com/short-story-contests/

⭐ WRITERS UNITE

Must be a follower of Writers Unite! on Web https://writersuniteweb.wordpress.com/  (Click on Follow or join via email.)

Write a fiction story based on the theme “Courage.”

  • Contributors’ work must be original and not posted on any website, social media site, magazine, or traditionally or self-published. No exceptions.
  • Word count must not exceed 3000 words (minimum 1000 words).
  • Story must be fiction and rated G, PG, or R. (No excessive gore or erotica.)
  • Only one submission per author.
  • Stories submitted via email at writersunite16@gmail.com
    Subject Line: “2021 Short Story Contest.”
  • Submissions deadline May 31, 2021 11:59 p.m. E.T.
  • A panel of three experienced authors will judge the stories anonymously.

Students and Teachers

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE, FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, FOR TEACHERS
25 Writing Contests and Publication Opportunities for Teensby Marianna Vertsman, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Have to scroll down the page to see the 2021 Contests.

Have to scroll down the page to see 2021 contests:  https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/10/26/writing-competitions-young-adults

GEEK PARTNERSHIP SOCIETY

A chance to learn about the publication process and its requirements. The submission requirements are not negotiable, nor should this contest be used as a required class exercise by teachers. Teachers, please encourage your students to enter our contest but don’t make it a homework assignment.  Entries must be science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural, and alternate history in short fiction, poetry, or comics.

https://geekpartnership.org/programs/writing-contest

Teens - Young Adults

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS

TEEN INK: is one of the most popular and diverse writing spaces to get published in high school. The broad categories for publication reflect the diversity of writing that this lively online magazine celebrates. Some publication categories include: community service, travel and culture, the environment, health, reviews of TV shows and video games, and college essays, among the more traditional poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Visit online at: http://www.teenink.com/

AGNI: is Boston University’s well-respected journal. It appears in both print and online. AGNI submissions are not limited to high school writers, but the journal is known to accept and publish lots of work by new writers. Get published in high school at AGNI and you’ve taken an important step to becoming a writer in the real world! Find them online at: http://www.bu.edu/agni/submit.html

THE ADROIT JOURNAL: is run by high school students, college students, and emerging writers. Adroit publishes within “over 21” and “under 21” categories, so your writing will appear alongside great work by writers of any age. Adroit publishes fiction and poetry, and includes art and photography. They will reopen our submission reading period in January 2021. Find them online at: http://www.theadroitjournal.org/

EMBER: only published twice a year, but this beautiful and dreamy journal of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction appeals to all age groups. Although it doesn’t exclusively publish young writers, submissions from writers and artists ages 10 to 18 are strongly encouraged. Submissions open in February of 2021. For more details, visit them online at: http://emberjournal.org/

POLYPHONY LIT: invites submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction from high school students worldwide. Student editors provide feedback to all submissions, including the ones not accepted for publication. Submissions are open from July 1 2020 – April 30, 2020. More details can be found at https://www.polyphonylit.org/.

SELECT YOUTH CONTESTS

HOT DISH MAGAZINE, an online journal serving up a bubbling mixture of poetry and fiction by teens (grades 9–12), wants your voice to be heard! We award cash prizes for fiction, poetry, and the Hot Dish Challenge. Our submission period is October-January. Visit us at www.hotdishmagazine.com.

GIRLS RIGHT THE WORLD is a literary journal inviting young, female-identified writers and artists, ages 14–21, to submit work for consideration for the fourth annual issue. We believe girls’ voices transform the world for the better. We accept poetry, prose, and visual art of any style or theme. We ask to be the first to publish your work in North America; after publication, the rights return to you. Please include a note mentioning your age, where you’re from, and a bit about your submission. Send your best work, in English or English translation, to girlsrighttheworld@gmail.com between September 1 and December 31.  https://www.girlswritenow.org/contests/

THE LUMIERE REVIEW is a literary magazine dedicated to shining the light on all voices (particularly young creatives) through poetry, prose, and art. We’ll be running our first annual writing contest for poetry and prose, which will be open for submission from December 1st to January 15th. Updates will be made on our social media accounts (@lumierereview on twitter and instagram). Details on the contest guidelines can be found at https://lumierereview.com/contest.

PRINCIPIA PERSPECTIVES WRITING CONTEST is an annual writing contest that centers around a specific theme each year. This year, the theme is family. What stories define “family” for you? We don’t limit “family” to blood relatives; any person, group of people, or community that fulfills that role is an option. We also don’t want to limit you to COVID-19 stories—the purpose here is not to reflect on the pandemic, but rather, family. Anything goes as long as the theme is addressed in a thoughtful manner. The contest is open to middle and high schoolers. View contest details and guidelines at https://www.principiatutors.com/principia-perspectives-contest.

NEWS PAGES

Where young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit the publication’s website. Ages can include elementary, teen, or early college. This is an ad-free resource: publications and writing contests listed here have not paid to be included. This guide is maintained by Editor Denise Hill, a teacher who loves to encourage young writers.

Sort Deadline by Month:  https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide-to-contests

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE, FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, FOR TEACHERS
25 Writing Contests and Publication Opportunities for Teensby Marianna Vertsman, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Have to scroll down the page to see the 2021 Contests.

Have to scroll down the page to see 2021 contests:
 https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/10/26/writing-competitions-young-adults

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE

Several different contests and different sites.

http://hshla.org/writing-contests

QUARKNDAGGER.COM

We’ve put together a list of writing contests or places to publish short works. These channels are ideal for young adults (teens), especially those interested in writing sci-fi and fantasy. Scroll through, put it in your calendar and get writing. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, comment below.

https://quarkndagger.com/19-writing-contests-and-publication-outlets-for-young-adults/ 

Worklshops / Chapter Events

Romance Writers of America
MARCH 2021 ONLINE WORKSHOPS

World Building
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: March 1–12, 2021
Presenter: Tim Waggon
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Creating Unforgettable Worlds: World-building in Speculative Fiction
Sponsor: NEORWA
Fee: $20
Date: March 1–26, 2021
Presenter: Midnight Voss
FMI, http://www.neorwa.com/online-workshops/upcoming-meetings/

Heroines (Craft/Characters)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: March 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

New Beginnings & Left Turns (Plotting)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: March 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Story Bootcamp
Sponsor: RWA Online Chapter
Fee: $15 (free for our chapter members)
Date: March 1–26, 2021
Presenter: Peter Andrews
FMI, https://rwaonlinechapter.org/workshops-3/

Those Who Forgot History – Using Backstory to Enhance Your Novel (Craft)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: March 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

To Be or Not to Be & Other Editing Quandaries (Editing)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: March 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

The US Intelligence Community – Brave, Smart Heroes and Exciting Plots Await You
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: March 1–26, 2021
Presenter: Kristie Wolf
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Writing About Explosive and Narcotics Detection Dogs
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: March 1–26, 2021
Presenter: Robin Greubel MBA, ACC, Master K9 Trainer
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Character Torture 101: Writing Conflict
Sponsor: Western New York Romance Writers
Fee: $20–40
Date: March 1–31, 2021
Presenter: Linnea Sinclair
FMI, http://www.wnyrw.org/workshops/

The Creative Brilliance Academy Part 1
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: March 1–31, 2021
Presenter: Deb Riley-Magnus
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Diving 7 Miles Deep
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: March 1–31, 2021
Presenter: Katie McCoach
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Starting in the Right Place: Where Does the Story Begin?
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: March 1–31, 2021
Presenter: Beth Daniels
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

The Secrets to Getting More Book Reviews
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: March 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. CST /10 a.m. PST
Presenter: Penny Sansevieri
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

The Indie Authors’ Guide to Indie Editor
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: March 15–26, 2021
Presenter: Jen Graybeal
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Growth Hacking a Bestseller
Sponsor: Central PA Romance Writers
Fee: $35, CPRW members; $50, non-CPRW members
Date: March 27, 2021, 2–10 p.m. EST via Zoom
Presenter: Liz Pelletier, Entangled Publishing CEO & Publisher
FMI, visit https://cprw.rwa.org/CPRW/Events/CPRW/Education/Education.aspx or email info@cprw.org.

CHAPTER EVENTS
Local RWA chapters offer a number of  workshops. 

Heart of California – Quilting 101/Plotting
Begin Date: 03/01/2021    End Date: 03/31/2021
Quilting 101, Plotting -Patchworking the Perfect Plot through Relationship Arcs with Suzanne Johnson/Susannah Sandlin Do storyboards, sticky notes, spreadsheets and index cards give you hives? Does your manuscript wander in circles – yet you’re afraid ,,,
Register: https://hcrw.rwa.org/HCRW/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HCRWMAR_21

Aged to Perfection – Freedom and Framework: Story Planning for Pantsers
Begin Date: 03/01/2021     End Date: 03/31/2021
Flying by the seat of your pants to write the first draft for your book feels so freeing. It’s a time to play, to experiment, to try out new ideas. What fun! But diving into a project as big as a novel without any plan at all often means a lot of extra work after the draft is completed as you scramble to revise hundreds of pages that might have no cohesion, inconsistent characters, or a wandering plot
Register:  https://a2psr.rwa.org/A2PSR/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=A2PMAR_2

Heart of California Spring Conference featuring Farrah Rochon
Begin Date: 03/13/2021     End Date: 03/13/2021
Heart of Carolina Romance Writers is incredibly pleased to welcome USA Today Bestselling author of The Boyfriend Project Farrah Rochon as the main speaker of their 2021 Spring Conference. Farrah hails from a small town just west of New Orleans. She has garnered much acclaim for her Holmes Brothers and New York Sabers series.
Register:  https://hcrw.rwa.org/HCRW/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HCRWMAR21

Aged to Perfection – “Where the Heck Do I Start?” (Self-Publishing)
Begin Date: 04/01/2021     End Date: 04/30/2021
Thinking about self-publishing? Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of taking on what some call a monumental task?  Then you definitely need this workshop which will introduce you to self-pub in a non-frightening way, give you a basic understanding of what to expect during the process, and help you be prepared to navigate the steps.
Register: https://a2psr.rwa.org/A2PSR/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=A2PAPR21_2

VIEW THE REST OF THE CHAPTER EVENTS HERE:  (over 24 pages)  https://www.rwa.org/Online/Events/Chapter_Events/Online/Events/Chapter_Events.aspx?hkey=5ed926dc-351f-476d-9c1a-fa8ccb35671a#Contests

 

⭐ Added After Mailout on March 1, 2021

⭐ WRITERS UNITE

Must be a follower of Writers Unite! on Web https://writersuniteweb.wordpress.com/  (Click on Follow or join via email.)

Write a fiction story based on the theme “Courage.”

  • Contributors’ work must be original and not posted on any website, social media site, magazine, or traditionally or self-published. No exceptions.
  • Word count must not exceed 3000 words (minimum 1000 words).
  • Story must be fiction and rated G, PG, or R. (No excessive gore or erotica.)
  • Only one submission per author.
  • Stories submitted via email at writersunite16@gmail.com
    Subject Line: “2021 Short Story Contest.”
  • Submissions deadline May 31, 2021 11:59 p.m. E.T.
  • A panel of three experienced authors will judge the stories anonymously.

⭐ BRIDGEPORT PRIZE

For writers everywhere – Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Novels
We are committed to discovering new writers in poetry, short story, flash fiction and the novel. Our alumni reads like a Who’s Who of the literary world: Kate Atkinson MBE, Gail Honeyman and Kit de Waal. Judges have included Roger McGough, Monica Ali and Zoe Heller. Our patron is Fay Weldon. We are a route to being published so send us your words and it could be your name up here next year.
 
Click on+ contest you want from scrolling slideshow or click The Competition in the menu bar to go to specific genre.(menu bar is slow to respond)
 

https://bridportprize.org.uk/

⭐ KOTOBEE BLOG

300+ Writing Contests You Need to Enter in 2021 – If there’s one thing we need these days, it’s consistency. Something that proves not everything has changed. Something that gives you a bout of comfort given the current circumstances. So what better way to do that than to know 2021 comes with a host of writing contests for people of all ages from all around the world?

Sort by Genre and Month
blog.kotobee.com/300-writing-contests-2021/

 

⭐ STONE SOUP

How to Submit Creative Writing and Art to Stone Soup.  Stone Soup welcomes submissions from around the world by writers and artists ages 13 and younger. All submissions must come to us via Submittable. We do not accept submissions by email or by post.
 

https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/

⭐ NOTHING IN THE RULEBOOK

41 Writing Competitions for 2021 – Dozens of writing competitions for you to get stuck into during 2021. When we put out our annual compendium of creative writing contests, we were worried it might be the last chance for some of us writers to see our writing win some excellent prizes – what with the threat of total climate collapse and World War III seemingly around the corner. COVID-19 wasn’t even on our radar.

https://nothingintherulebook.com/2021/02/02/41-writing-competitions-for-2021/

⭐ WRITERS-EDITORS.COM

A variety of contests and genres for 2021.

https://www.writers-editors.com/Writers/Contests/contests.htm

⭐ LA SCREEN PLAY AWARDS.COM

SUBMISSIONS:  This is the only screenplay competition founded by a team of working Hollywood professionals with more than 1,000 produced credits and a century of collective industry experience.  Our roster of Senior Judges includes multiple Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and WGA Award Winners.

https://lascreenplayawards.com/

 

NEW FORMAT POLL

Do you like the new format?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

SUBSCRIBE to our Mailing List to receive notification of new Contests and Posts.

* indicates required
/ / ( mm / dd / yyyy )
Email Format

2021 FEB-APR Contests & Workshops

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

2021 FEB-APR Contests & Workshops

Hello Writing Corner Contest Group Member.  Below are the Costests for FEB 2021- APP 2021.

I have added several new contest sites.  If you would like me to add a site, please let me know.

SOME SITES MAY REQUIRE YOU TO JOIN.

I also received notification that there are 20 New Literary Agents Seeking Writers  Here’s your chance to get published.

ADDED AFTER MAIL OUT

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA

FEBRUARY 2021 CONTESTS

The Carolyn Readers Choice Award
Sponsor: North Texas RWA
Fee: $25–30
Deadline: February 18, 2021
Entry: works published in 2020
Judges: readers only
Prize: shared ad
FMI, https://ntrwa.org/contests/the-carolyn/

FEBRUARY 2021 ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Brilliant Tag Lines (Business)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: February 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Heroes (Craft)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: February 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Horses and Their Involvement in Life – England 1790 to 1820
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20 KOD Members / $25 RWA Members / $35 Non Members
Date: February 1–26, 2021
Presenter: Kim Lambert
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Keeping Secrets (Craft)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: February 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Master Workshop – Amazing Characters
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: February 1–26, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Psychology 101 for Writers
Sponsor: NEORWA
Fee: $20
Date: February 1–26, 2021
Presenter: Margaret Bates
FMI, http://www.neorwa.com/online-workshops/upcoming-meetings/

You Are the Detective: Writing Believable, Realistic Murder
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: February 1–26, 2021
Presenter: Wesley Harris
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

How to Make a Character Bible 
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: February 8–19, 2021
Presenter: L.D. Barnes
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Construct Complex Characters Readers Care About
Sponsor: Central PA Romance Writers Fee: $10 CPRW member, $20 non-member
Dates: February 15–28, 2021
Presenter: Reese Ryan
FMI, https://cprw.rwa.org/CPRW/Education/Education or email info@cprw.org

CHAPTER EVENTS
Local RWA chapters offer a number of  workshops. 

Kiss of Death 2021 Coffin Workshops
Begin Date: 01/01/2021   End Date: 12/01/2021
Register: https://kod.rwa.org/KOD/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=CHAPKOD21

Heart of California Writer’s Wellness
Begin Date: 02/01/2021   End Date: 02/26/2021
Writer’s Wellness, A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity: Good self-care is the new multi-vitamin! Writers should still take a multi-vitamin, and Writer Wellness is a complimentary plan to help you stay on target for writing and life. WW is a lifestyle technique for anyone who loves to create with activities to stimulate creativity and health by encouraging regular journal writing, exercise, relaxation, good nutrition, and creative play.
Register: https://hcrw.rwa.org/HCRW/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HCRWFEB21

Aged to Perfection – Tips and Tricks for Shining Online
Begin Date: 02/06/2021  End Date: 02/19/2021
We’re all spending more time on screen these days. Whether it’s a Zoom meeting, Instagram interview or Facebook launch party, we all want to look our best. This workshop will provide a checklist of things to do—and NOT to do—to help you be prepared, no matter where you’re virtually appearing. No special equipment necessary.
Register: https://a2psr.rwa.org/A2PSR/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=A2PFEB21_2

Heart of California – Quilting 101/Plotting 
Begin Date: 03/01/2021    End Date: 03/31/2021
Quilting 101, Plotting -Patchworking the Perfect Plot through Relationship Arcs with Suzanne Johnson/Susannah Sandlin Do storyboards, sticky notes, spreadsheets and index cards give you hives? Does your manuscript wander in circles – yet you’re afraid ,,,
Register: https://hcrw.rwa.org/HCRW/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HCRWMAR_21

Aged to Perfection – Freedom and Framework: Story Planning for Pantsers
Begin Date: 03/01/2021     End Date: 03/31/2021
Flying by the seat of your pants to write the first draft for your book feels so freeing. It’s a time to play, to experiment, to try out new ideas. What fun! But diving into a project as big as a novel without any plan at all often means a lot of extra work after the draft is completed as you scramble to revise hundreds of pages that might have no cohesion, inconsistent characters, or a wandering plot
Register:  https://a2psr.rwa.org/A2PSR/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=A2PMAR_2

Heart of California Spring Conference featuring Farrah Rochon
Begin Date: 03/13/2021     End Date: 03/13/2021
Heart of Carolina Romance Writers is incredibly pleased to welcome USA Today Bestselling author of The Boyfriend Project Farrah Rochon as the main speaker of their 2021 Spring Conference. Farrah hails from a small town just west of New Orleans. She has garnered much acclaim for her Holmes Brothers and New York Sabers series.
Register:  https://hcrw.rwa.org/HCRW/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HCRWMAR21

Aged to Perfection – “Where the Heck Do I Start?” (Self-Publishing)
Begin Date: 04/01/2021     End Date: 04/30/2021
Thinking about self-publishing? Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of taking on what some call a monumental task?  Then you definitely need this workshop which will introduce you to self-pub in a non-frightening way, give you a basic understanding of what to expect during the process, and help you be prepared to navigate the steps.
Register: https://a2psr.rwa.org/A2PSR/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=A2PAPR21_2

VIEW THE REST OF THE CHAPTER EVENTS HERE:  (over 24 pages)  https://www.rwa.org/Online/Events/Chapter_Events/Online/Events/Chapter_Events.aspx?hkey=5ed926dc-351f-476d-9c1a-fa8ccb35671a#Contests

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS
https://www.chantireviews.com/category/contests/

The Mystery & Mayhem Awards ~ Cozy Mystery Novel Writing Contest ~2021
The search for 2021’s best Cozy & Not-So-Cozy Mystery Fiction Books
Deadline April 30th, 2021
ENTER TO WIN the 2021 CIBA Overall Grand Prize of $1,000 USD for Best Book
https://www.chantireviews.com/services/Cozy-Mystery-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p21521076

THE WRITE LIFE CONTESTS LIST
https://thewritelife.com/writing-contests/

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

REEDSY BEST WRTING CONTESTS OF 2021
https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/
Several contests for 2021 listed.

POETS & WRITERS WRITING CONTESTS, GRANTS & AWARDS
https://www.pw.org/grants?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Y29xan-5QIVGKSzCh3cQwAmEAMYAiAAEgJXqvD_BwE

ARIZONA MYSTERY WRITERS
Arizona Mystery Writers Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest
http://www.arizonamysterywriters.com/?page_id=1449

No 2021 contests listed

PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS
Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read our winning scripts. As a result, dozens of our past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theaters.

https://pageawards.com/the-contest/how-to-enter/

ALMOND PRESS
Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.

https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

2021 ABR ELIZABETH JOLLEY SHORT STORY PRIZE
Entries are opening soon on 21 January 2021 for the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The Jolley Prize is worth a total of AU$12,500 – first place will receive $6,000, second place will receive $4,000, and third place will receive $2,500.  The Jolley Prize is open to all short story writers writing in English. We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/

THE WRITER MAGAZINE
The Writer encourages all of our readers to practice their craft and put their stories in front of the eyes of as many people as possible. Writing contests have always been a vital part of the writing world, giving writers the chance to have their work reviewed by editors and possibly published. Literary journals, universities and even The Writer regularly host writing competitions, helping authors gain exposure and hone their craft.  Choose your inspiration, submit before the deadline, and, as always, keep writing.  Submit your very best essay in 2,000 words or less. Any theme, subject, or genre is fair game, as long as it is nonfiction and falls under 2,000 words.
Deadline March 10, 2021

https://www.writermag.com/contests/

PUBLISHING… AND ORTHER FORMS OF INSANITY
This January there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2020/12/42-writing-contests-in-january-2021-no.html

GIRLS WRITE NOW
Girls Write Now is a dynamic, multi-generational community of writers on a mission. For more than 20 years, our nationally award-winning programs have provided creative, critical and digital writing training, college and career readiness, personalized mentoring, and massive opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

https://www.girlswritenow.org/contests/

THE WRITERS COLLEGE
If you are looking to take your writing to the next level, then entering a writing competition often provides that extra impetus to refine your work.  This is by no means a full list of competitions. Some writing competitions require an entry fee. Others don’t. This seems to be the norm these days and there are credible competitions that require an entry fee. Always check that you are comfortable with sending money to the organizers if this is the case.

https://www.thewriterscollege.com/short-story-writing-competitions

BLUE FIRE
Welcome aspiring young authors, and thank you for your interest in the $1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest! We’re looking for an outstanding piece of short fiction that consists of exactly 1000 words. While there are no specific guidelines beyond that, we encourage you to tell a story that matters. Write something you believe in. Tell a story that only you can tell. Our judges have no specific criteria in mind other than to look for excellence. In other words, write something that moves you, that dazzles you, that says precisely what you want to say in precisely the way you want to say it. As long as you do so in precisely 1000 words.

https://bluefire.org/about-contests

NEWS PAGES
Where young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit the publication’s website. Ages can include elementary, teen, or early college. This is an ad-free resource: publications and writing contests listed here have not paid to be included. This guide is maintained by Editor Denise Hill, a teacher who loves to encourage young writers.

https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide-to-contests

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE, FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, FOR TEACHERS
25 Writing Contests and Publication Opportunities for Teensby Marianna Vertsman, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
Have to scroll down the page to see the 2021 Contests.

https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/10/26/writing-competitions-young-adults

NYC MIDNIGHT
Since 2002, NYC Midnight has hosted hundreds of inspiring competitions for storytellers around the world.  Participants are challenged to create original stories, screenplays, or films using assigned elements under time constraints.  If you enjoy a creative challenge, check out our upcoming competitions.
•  Short Story Challenge
•  Screenwriting Challenge
• Flash Fiction Challenge
• Microfiction Challenge/
• Short Screenplay Challenge

http://www.nycmidnight.com

AUSTRAILIAN BOOK REVIEW
Entries are currently open for the 2021 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The Jolley Prize is worth a total of AU$12,500 – first place will receive $6,000, second place will receive $4,000, and third place will receive $2,500.  The Jolley Prize is open to all short story writers writing in English. We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/elizabeth-jolley-story-prize/current-jolley?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI67Lw7szC7gIVyweICR0dZAX8EAAYAiAAEgJKO_D_BwE

GEEK PARTNERSHIP SOCIETY
chance to learn about the publication process and its requirements. The submission requirements are not negotiable, nor should this contest be used as a required class exercise by teachers. Teachers, please encourage your students to enter our contest but don’t make it a homework assignment.  Entries must be science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural, and alternate history in short fiction, poetry, or comics.

https://geekpartnership.org/programs/writing-contest

THE NATIONAL FANTASY FAN FEDERATION
This contest is open to all amateur writers in the field, regardless of whether they’re members of the National Fantasy Fan Federation. For the purposes of this contest, we define an amateur as someone who has sold no more than two (2) stories to professional science fiction or fantasy publications or publishing houses.

http://n3f.org/short-story-contest/

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOL HOUSE
Several different contests and different sites.

http://hshla.org/writing-contests

WRITERS ONLINE
Poetry competition: Plough 2021 –  The competition is for original, unpublished poetry up to 40 lines. The first prize is £1,000 and there are second and third prizes of £500 and £250. The entry fee is £5 per poem online, and £6 per poem for postal entries. The closing date is 31 March.

https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/poetry-prize

Non-fiction competition: 2021 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & Lewitt Studios Essay Prize – Fitzcarraldo Editions are inviting entries for the 2021 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & Lewitt Studios Essay Prize for writers who have yet to secure a publishing deal.  The winner will receive £3,000, a publishing deal and the chance to spend three months at the Mahler & Lewitt Studios in Spoleto, Italy, to work on their book.  Enter a proposal up to 5,000 words for a book length essay (minimum 25,000 words) by the closing date of 15 March.

https://www.writers-online.co.uk/news/non-fiction-competition-2021-fitzcarraldo-editions-mahler-lewitt-stu/

BALTIMORE SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY
No contests listed for this year.

https://www.bsfs.org/bsfsssc.htm

SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE  
The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce the 2021 San Francisco Writing Contest. The contest is open to all writers everywhere.  The entry fee is $30 per entry and includes a copy of the 2021 SFWC Writing Contest Anthology.  Your entry must fit into one of the following categories:
* Adult Fiction
* Adult Nonfiction (including memoir)
* Children’s/YA Books
* Poetry

https://www.sfwriters.org/2021-writing-contest-overview/

CHRISTOPHER FIELDEN
Below are tables listing various short story competitions. Some are based in the UK, some are global. Some contests are of high renown (like the BBC Short Story Award or the Bridport Prize), offering huge prizes, and some are lesser known, but offer great opportunities for newer writers to become published authors. I will try and keep this list up to date, but please check the rules and dates on the different competition websites before entering.  PLEASE NOTE: Most of the competitions listed on this page accept entries from writers living anywhere in the world. The country each competition is run from is listed so you know which global market you are submitting to.

https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/short-story-competitions.php#Featured

QUARKNDAGGER.COM
We’ve put together a list of writing contests or places to publish short works. These channels are ideal for young adults (teens), especially those interested in writing sci-fi and fantasy. Scroll through, put it in your calendar and get writing. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, comment below.

https://quarkndagger.com/19-writing-contests-and-publication-outlets-for-young-adults/ 

FAN STORY
A list of several contests for various genre.

https://www.fanstory.com/contestsall.jsp?sc=1&wct=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlemU1M_C7gIVCbKGCh3rhwvHEAMYASAAEgJNpvD_BwE

WRITERS DIGEST  (must join to see all posts)
Join the 1st February Flash Fiction Challenge
We’re four days into February now, but there’s still plenty of time to join and catch up on our first ever February Flash Fiction Challenge! Each morning, editor Moriah Richard shares a prompt and example short short story; then, writers from around the world write their own, some sharing in the comments and others writing along silently at home. Find the prompts and guidelines for this free challenge here.
Read More…

Annual Writing Competition
ENTER NOW! DEADLINE: 5/7/21 Writer’s Digest’s oldest and most popular competition, the Annual Writing Competition, is open for entries. Winners of the 90th Annual competition will be announced in the Nov/Dec 2021 issue of Writer’s Digest.

https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/annual-writing-competition

Added After Mail Out

ANTHOLOGY MAGAZINE

The Anthology Short Story Award is now open for entries.  Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, it is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Stories submitted must be on the theme of ‘Memories’ and not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish.
 

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

SUBSCRIBE to our Mailing List to receive notification of new Contests and Posts.

* indicates required
/ / ( mm / dd / yyyy )
Email Format

2021 JAN – MAR Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

2021 JAN – MAR Contests

Hello Writing Corner Contest Group Member.  Below are the Costests for JAN 2021- MAR 2021

FYI:  Yahoo has closed all groups as of January 2021. 

  • If you received an email from the MailChimp group, you have been added to the subscribers list.   You can unsubscribe at any time.
  • If you did not receive an email from MailChimp you will need to subscribe to receive emails of the latest contests posted.

SOME SITES MAY REQUIRE YOU TO JOIN.

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA

JANUARY 2021 CONTESTS

Booksellers’ Best Award
Sponsor: Greater Detroit RWA
Fee: $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members; add’l $7 to enter Patti Shenberger First Book Award.
Deadline: January 8, 2021
Entry: Get your published book in front of booksellers and librarians. Enter your published book with copyright or first US printing date between December 2019 – December 2020. Each title may only be entered in one category (plus the First Book category).
Judges: Booksellers and librarians.
FMI, visit http://www.gdrwa.org/contest/

HOLT Medallion
Sponsor: Virginia Romance Writers (VRW)
Fee: $30
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Entry: Published fiction in one of the established categories.
Judges: Romance readers. Each book will be judged by at least three judges.
For more information, please visit our website at http://virginiaromancewriters.com/holt-medallion/ or contact our coordinators at HOLTMedallion@gmail.com.

JANUARY 2021 ONLINE WORKSHOPS

The Book Writing Checklist Class
Sponsor: Central Ohio Fiction Writers
Fee: $25, COFW members; $30, RWA members; $35 for all others
Dates: January 1–31, 2021
Presenters: Linnea Sinclair and Stacey Kade
FMI, http://cofwevents.org.

The Book Marketing Audit
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: January 4–15, 2021
Presenter: Kilby Blades
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin.

Adding the Unexpected: Subverting Readers Expectations
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
January 4–29, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/.

Pre Writing for Authors (Craft)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
January 4–29, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/.

Researching & Writing Historical Fiction (Craft)
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
January 4–29, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/.

Researching for Authors
Sponsor: RWA Online Chapter
Fee: $15
Date: January 4–29, 2021
Presenter: Margaret Bates
FMI: https://rwaonlinechapter.org/

What You Need to Know About Forensic Science
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: January 4–29, 2021
Presenter: Elise Lehman
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin 

Writer’s Block Is NOT a Disease
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
January 4–29, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/.

How to Get Your Novel “Pitch” Perfect
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: January 11–22, 2021
Presenter: Mia P. Manansala
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Master Class – Growth Hacking a Bestseller by Liz Pelletier, Publisher & CEO of Entangled Publishing
Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: January 16, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/.

Using Newsletter Magnets to Grow Your Business
Sponsor: Western New York Romance Writers
Fee: $10
Date: January 16, 2021, 2:00–3:30 p.m. (EST) via Zoom
Presenter: Lucy Lennox
FMI, http://www.wnyrw.org/workshops/.

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS
https://www.chantireviews.com/category/contests/

The Mystery & Mayhem Awards ~ Cozy Mystery Novel Writing Contest ~2021
The search for 2021’s best Cozy & Not-So-Cozy Mystery Fiction Books
Deadline April 30th, 2021
ENTER TO WIN the 2021 CIBA Overall Grand Prize of $1,000 USD for Best Book
https://www.chantireviews.com/services/Cozy-Mystery-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p21521076

THE WRITE LIFE CONTESTS LIST
https://thewritelife.com/writing-contests/

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

REEDSY BEST WRTING CONTESTS OF 2021
https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/
Several contests for 2021 listed.

POETS & WRITERS WRITING CONTESTS, GRANTS & AWARDS
https://www.pw.org/grants?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Y29xan-5QIVGKSzCh3cQwAmEAMYAiAAEgJXqvD_BwE

ARIZONA MYSTERY WRITERS
Arizona Mystery Writers Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest
http://www.arizonamysterywriters.com/?page_id=1449

No 2021 contests listed

PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS
Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read our winning scripts. As a result, dozens of our past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theaters.

https://pageawards.com/the-contest/how-to-enter/

ALMOND PRESS
Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.

https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

2021 ABR ELIZABETH JOLLEY SHORT STORY PRIZE
Entries are opening soon on 21 January 2021 for the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The Jolley Prize is worth a total of AU$12,500 – first place will receive $6,000, second place will receive $4,000, and third place will receive $2,500.  The Jolley Prize is open to all short story writers writing in English. We seek original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/elizabeth-jolley-story-prize/current-jolley?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjY-spf3q5wIVjZ6fCh2OqAlYEAAYASAAEgKEpfD_BwE

THE WRITER MAGAZINE
The Writer encourages all of our readers to practice their craft and put their stories in front of the eyes of as many people as possible. Writing contests have always been a vital part of the writing world, giving writers the chance to have their work reviewed by editors and possibly published. Literary journals, universities and even The Writer regularly host writing competitions, helping authors gain exposure and hone their craft.  Choose your inspiration, submit before the deadline, and, as always, keep writing.  Submit your very best essay in 2,000 words or less. Any theme, subject, or genre is fair game, as long as it is nonfiction and falls under 2,000 words.
Deadline March 10, 2021

https://www.writermag.com/contests/

PUBLISHING… AND ORTHER FORMS OF INSANITY
This January there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2020/12/42-writing-contests-in-january-2021-no.html

GIRLS WRITE NOW
Girls Write Now is a dynamic, multi-generational community of writers on a mission. For more than 20 years, our nationally award-winning programs have provided creative, critical and digital writing training, college and career readiness, personalized mentoring, and massive opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

https://www.girlswritenow.org/contests/

THE WRITERS COLLEGE
If you are looking to take your writing to the next level, then entering a writing competition often provides that extra impetus to refine your work.  This is by no means a full list of competitions. Some writing competitions require an entry fee. Others don’t. This seems to be the norm these days and there are credible competitions that require an entry fee. Always check that you are comfortable with sending money to the organizers if this is the case.

https://www.thewriterscollege.com/short-story-writing-competitions

BLUE FIRE
Welcome aspiring young authors, and thank you for your interest in the $1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest! We’re looking for an outstanding piece of short fiction that consists of exactly 1000 words. While there are no specific guidelines beyond that, we encourage you to tell a story that matters. Write something you believe in. Tell a story that only you can tell. Our judges have no specific criteria in mind other than to look for excellence. In other words, write something that moves you, that dazzles you, that says precisely what you want to say in precisely the way you want to say it. As long as you do so in precisely 1000 words.

NEWS PAGES
Where young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit the publication’s website. Ages can include elementary, teen, or early college. This is an ad-free resource: publications and writing contests listed here have not paid to be included. This guide is maintained by Editor Denise Hill, a teacher who loves to encourage young writers.

https://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/young-writers-guide-to-contests

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
STUFF FOR THE TEEN AGE, FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, FOR TEACHERS
25 Writing Contests and Publication Opportunities for Teensby Marianna Vertsman, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)

https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/10/26/writing-competitions-young-adults

NYC MIDNIGHT
Since 2002, NYC Midnight has hosted hundreds of inspiring competitions for storytellers around the world.  Participants are challenged to create original stories, screenplays, or films using assigned elements under time constraints.  If you enjoy a creative challenge, check out our upcoming competitions.
•  Short Story Challenge
•  Screenwriting Challenge
• Flash Fiction Challenge
• Microfiction Challenge
• Short Screenplay Challenge
http://www.nycmidnight.com/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=106707908&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–UW3EsizdEPS7cypAOwCT2KGNyrWBP_NmglbdpH7EHV_hwfR1PD-CPUL_kIMGA-VOXtTUBNacp4orbOQTLqciHc6GUoYnpIpeSLjlc2Qbs5LDwSmk&utm_content=106707908&utm_source=hs_email

Writing Contests Group
WritingCorner.com

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

SUBSCRIBE to our Mailing List to receive notification of new Contests and Posts.

* indicates required
/ / ( mm / dd / yyyy )
Email Format

2020 DEC-JAN Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

2020 DEC-JAN Writing Contests

Hello Writing Corner Contest Group Member.  Below are the Costests for Dec 2020 – Jan 2021

SOME SITES MAY REQUIRE YOU TO JOIN.

Enjoy, and stay safe.

MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA
ST. MARTIN’S MINOTAUR/ MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA FIRST CRIME NOVEL COMPETITION

Rules for the 2021 St. Martin’s Minotaur/ Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA

DECEMBER – NO CONTESTS

JANUARY 2021 CONTESTS

*Booksellers’ Best Award

Sponsor: Greater Detroit RWA
Fee: $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members; add’l $7 to enter Patti Shenberger First Book Award.
Deadline: January 8, 2021
Entry: Get your published book in front of booksellers and librarians. Enter your published book with copyright or first US printing date between December 2019 – December 2020. Each title may only be entered in one category (plus the First Book category).
Judges: Booksellers and librarians.
FMI, visit http://www.gdrwa.org/contest/

*HOLT Medallion

Sponsor: Virginia Romance Writers (VRW)
Fee: $30
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Entry: Published fiction in one of the established categories.
Judges: Romance readers. Each book will be judged by at least three judges.
For more information, please visit our website at http://virginiaromancewriters.com/holt-medallion/ or contact our coordinators at HOLTMedallion@gmail.com.

JANUARY 2021 ONLINE WORKSHOPS

The Book Writing Checklist Class
Sponsor: Central Ohio Fiction Writers
Fee: $25, COFW members; $30, RWA members; $35 for all others
Dates: January 1–31, 2021
Presenters: Linnea Sinclair and Stacey Kade
FMI, http://cofwevents.org.

The Book Marketing Audit
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: January 4–15, 2021
Presenter: Kilby Blades
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin.

Researching for Authors
Sponsor: RWA Online Chapter
Fee: $15
Date: January 4–29, 2021
Presenter: Margaret Bates
FMI: https://rwaonlinechapter.org/

What You Need to Know About Forensic Science
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: January 4–29, 2021
Presenter: Elise Lehman
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

How to Get Your Novel “Pitch” Perfect
Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: January 11–22, 2021
Presenter: Mia P. Manansala
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Using Newsletter Magnets to Grow Your Business
Sponsor: Western New York Romance Writers
Fee: $10
Date: January 16, 2021, 2:00–3:30 p.m. (EST) via Zoom
Presenter: Lucy Lennox
FMI, http://www.wnyrw.org/workshops/.

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS
https://www.chantireviews.com/category/contests/

The Mystery & Mayhem Awards ~ Cozy Mystery Novel Writing Contest ~2021
The search for 2021’s best Cozy & Not-So-Cozy Mystery Fiction Books
Deadline April 30th, 2021
ENTER TO WIN the 2021 CIBA Overall Grand Prize of $1,000 USD for Best Book
https://www.chantireviews.com/services/Cozy-Mystery-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p21521076

THE WRITE LIFE CONTESTS LIST
https://thewritelife.com/writing-contests/

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

REEDSY BEST WRTING CONTESTS OF 2020
https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/
Several contests for 2020 listed.

POETS & WRITERS WRITING CONTESTS, GRANTS & AWARDS
https://www.pw.org/grants?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Y29xan-5QIVGKSzCh3cQwAmEAMYAiAAEgJXqvD_BwE

ARIZONA MYSTERY WRITERS
Arizona Mystery Writers Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest
http://www.arizonamysterywriters.com/?page_id=1449

The annual story contest is open for submissions from February to June.  Anyone can enter – and anyone can win! Send in your short story in mystery, suspense, or thriller style. Entries may be up to 2500 words (about 10 double-spaced pages). It’s loads of fun and a good exercise of your writing skills.

PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS
Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read our winning scripts. As a result, dozens of our past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theaters.

https://pageawards.com/the-contest/how-to-enter/

ALMOND PRESS
Welcome to the most comprehensive list of creative writing competitions, short story competitions, and various events for writers.
Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, associated fees, submission deadlines, and the maximum prize that can be won. Clicking on an item opens a new page featuring a more detailed description and a link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.

https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/

Writing Contests Group
WritingCorner.com

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

SUBSCRIBE to our Mailing List to receive notification of new Contests and Posts.

* indicates required
/ / ( mm / dd / yyyy )
Email Format

2020 OCT-NOV Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

2020 OCT-NOV Writing Contests

Hello Writing Corner Contest Group Member

Sorry about missing July – September.  Personal issues, Covid-19 issues (avoiding) and recovering from surgery.

Below is a list of links to the contests I usually send out. Figured one email from me would be better than several. I apologize for not sending a lot out last month… I was swamped with changes to websites for all my clients due to COVID-19. Fortunately I can now breathe a bit and could take the time to go look up all these contests.

SOME SITES MAY REQUIRE YOU TO JOIN.

Enjoy, and stay safe.

WRITER ADVICE Scintillating Starts Contest
Openings matter. They determine whether a potential agent will represent  your book or move on. Writer Advice’s Scintillating Starts contest is your chance to show Writer Advice how effectively you can grab and hold your readers and get feedback on what is and is not working. Fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction are all eligible. You do not have to have completed the book to enter.

https://writeradvice.com/latest-contest-information/

MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA
ST. MARTIN’S MINOTAUR/ MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA FIRST CRIME NOVEL COMPETITION

Rules for the 2021 St. Martin’s Minotaur/ Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA

OCTOBER – NO CONTESTS OR EVENTS

NOVEMBER CONTESTS

35th Annual Hook, Line & Sinker
Sponsor: Hudson Valley RWA
Fee: $10 through September 15; $15, September 16 – November 1
Deadline: November 1, 2020
Eligibility: Published and unpublished romance and YA authors
Entry: Hone your skills for hooking an editor or an agent. Submit the first three pages of your unpublished romance manuscript. All romance genres accepted. Electronic entries only.
Judges: Experienced published and unpublished authors
Final judge: Rhonda Penders, President, The Wild Rose Press
Trophies awarded 1st through 3rd places
FMI, entry form, rules, and a sample of the scoresheet, please visit www.hudsonvalleyrwa.org or email hudsonvalleycontest@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Blurbs and Tag Lines

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Online Chapter
Fee: $15 CRW Members/$25 RWA Members/$35 Non-RWA Members
Date: November 1–24, 2020
Presenter: Linnea Sinclair
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Fights in Fiction

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Online Chapter
Fee: $15 CRW Members/$25 RWA Members/$35 Non-RWA Members
Date: November 1–29, 2020
Presenter: Merien Grey
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Shuffling the Cards: Dealing Yourself More Writing Time in the Game of Life

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Online Chapter
Fee: $15 CRW Members/$25 RWA Members/$35 Non-RWA Members
Date: November 1–29, 2020
Presenter: Beth Daniels
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Fall in Love with NaNoWriMo

Sponsor: NEORWA
Fee: Free
Date: November 1–30, 2020
Presenter: NEORWA
FMI, http://www.neorwa.com/online-workshops/upcoming-meetings/

The Taoist’s Guide to Staying Sane in the Writing Business

(Two week workshop)
Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW Member $25| Non-Member $35
Date: November 2–16, 2020 (no workshops on Thanksgiving)
Presenter: Jeffe Kennedy
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#NOV4.

Critical Lens

Sponsor: Central PA Romance Writers
Fee: $15, CPRW member; $30, non-member
Dates: November 2–22, 2020
Presenter: LaQuette
FMI, https://cprw.rwa.org/CPRW/Education/Education or email info@cprw.org

Expand Your Creativity through Reflective Writing

Sponsor: Southern Tier Authors of Romance
Fee: $25 RWA Members | $30 Non-RWA Members
Date: November 2–27, 2020
Presenter: Joy Held
FMI, https://starrwa.org/on-line-workshops/

Hearing Voices 101: Creating Distinctive Characters

Sponsor: RWA Online Chapter
Fee: $15
Date: November 2-27
Presenter: Midnight Voss
FMI: https://rwaonlinechapter.org/

Plotting Your Novel BootCamp

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW Member $55| Non-Member $65
Date: November 2–30, 2020 (no workshops on Thanksgiving)
Presenter: Susan Palmquist
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#NOV1.

Writing the Psychologist Protagonist and Beyond

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 KOD Members/$30 Non Members
Date: November 2–30, 2020
Presenter: Bill Percy
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Writing the Sensational Inspirational

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15 KOD Members/$30 Non Members
Date: November 2–30, 2020
Presenter: Katy Lee
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Writing a Synopsis BootCamp

Sponsor: Outreach International Romance Writers
Fee: OIRW Member $55| Non-Member $65
Date: November 2–30, 2020 (no workshops on Thanksgiving)
Presenter: Susan Palmquist
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#NOV2.

Mastering Amazon: Ads, Your Backlist, and the Perfect Book Launch [WEBINAR]

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Online Chapter
Fee: $15 CRW Members/$25 RWA Members/$35 Non-RWA Members
Date: November 17, 2020, 5 p.m. Pacific/8 p.m. Eastern
Presenter: Penny Sansevieri
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS
https://www.chantireviews.com/category/contests/

THE WRITE LIFE CONTESTS LIST
https://thewritelife.com/writing-contests/

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

REEDSY BEST WRTING CONTESTS OF 2020
https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&category=&sorted%5Bcol%5D=updated_at&search=science+fiction&commit=Search

POETS & WRITERS WRITING CONTESTS, GRANTS & AWARDS
https://www.pw.org/grants?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Y29xan-5QIVGKSzCh3cQwAmEAMYAiAAEgJXqvD_BwE

Writing Contests Group
WritingCorner.com

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

SUBSCRIBE to our Mailing List to receive notification of new Contests and Posts.

* indicates required
/ / ( mm / dd / yyyy )
Email Format

2020 MAY-JUN Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

2020 MAY-JUN Writing Contests

Hello Writing Corner Contest Group Member

Below is a list of links to the contests I usually send out. Figured one email from me would be better than several. I apologize for not sending a lot out last month… I was swamped with changes to websites for all my clients due to COVID-19. Fortunately I can now breathe a bit and could take the time to go look up all these contests.

Enjoy, and stay safe.

WRITER ADVICE Flash Fiction
https://writeradvice.com/latest-contest-information/

WOMENS FICTION, 2020 RISING STAR FOR PUBLISHED AUTHORS
https://writeradvice.com/latest-contest-information/

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA

May Contests

*The Beverley Award for Published Romance
Sponsor: Colorado Romance Writers
Fee: $35
Deadline: May 1, 2020
Entry: this contest named for the late Jo Beverley focuses on the initial hook of the story. Novels and novellas published in 2019, nine categories. Electronic entries only.
Judges: romance readers, authors, and librarians.
FMI, go to http://coloradoromancewriters.com/.

**On the Far Side Contest
Sponsor: Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal RWA
Fee: $20–25
Deadline: May 10, 2020
Entry: back-cover-style blurb and up to the first twenty pages of an unpublished manuscript. Finalists will be asked to include an unjudged synopsis for agents and editors.
Final Judges: please see website for complete list of final-round judges.
FMI, visit https://ffprwa.com/contests/on-the-far-side-contest/ or email the contest coordinator at OTFS@ffprwa.com.

25-4-25
Sponsor: Hudson Valley Romance Writers of America
Fee: $25
Deadline: May 31, 2020
Entry: first 25 pages of your manuscript to receive detailed line and developmental edits.
Judges and Final Judges: published and soon-to-be-published members of HVRWA.
FMI, visit https://www.hudsonvalleyrwa.org/25-4-25.html. Questions? hudsonvalleycontest@gmail.com.

June Contests
No June contests submitted.

July Contests

The Carla Contest
Sponsor: Mid-America Romance Authors
Fee: $25
Deadline: July 1, 2020, 11:59 p.m. CDT
Entry: traditional or self-published books with original copyright date of 2019 (minimum length 40,000 words).
Judges: contest will have no more than five finalists from all categories. First round will be judged by readers.
Final Judges: final judging by a librarian
FMI (entry form, rules, score sheet, contact, website info), visit http://www.mararwa.com/.

The Emerald City Best Blurb Contest 2020
Sponsor: Greater Seattle RWA
Fee: $10.00
Dates: Opens June 1. Deadline: July 8, 2020 11:59 PM PST
Entry: published and unpublished authors welcome; back-cover blurb up to 250 words. Must be written by the author.
Judges: RWA members.
Final Judges: editors and agents attending the Emerald City Writers Conference.
FMI, visit https://gsrwa.org.

The Writer 2020 Contest
Sponsor (chapter name): Land of Enchantment Romance Authors of New Mexico (LERA)
Fee: $25 for members | $35 for nonmembers
Deadline: July 31, 2020, or until cap is met
Eligibility: Open to all authors (both published and unpublished). Cap set at 45 entries. Entries must meet all rules for entry. Visit leranm.com for instruction on entry.
Entry: The opening five thousand (5,000) words of an unpublished romance novel.
Categories: All subgenres of romance, all heat levels, any pairings/combos are welcome. Diverse stories and authors are encouraged to enter. Please indicate which sub-genre and heat level your submission falls into from the list on http://leranm.com.
Judges: Three first-round, trained judges that include at least one published author or PRO member. Score sheets and feedback will be emailed to all contestants at the end of the contest.
Final Judges: Visit http://leranm.com for a list of final judges.
Top Prize: All selected first-round finalists will receive personalized mentoring by a PAN judge. Their updated manuscripts will be entered into the final round and the winner will be named “The Writer for 2020.” See prizes at http://leranm.com.
FMI, please visit http://leranm.com or email: Dianne Lindstrom at lerathewritercontest@leranm.com

CONFERENCES

May Conferences and Workshops
Strengths for Writers with Becca Syme
Sponsor: Missouri Romance Writers of America
Location: Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Creve Coeur, Missouri
Fee: $45–65
Date: May 16, 2020
Presenter: Becca Syme of The Better-Faster Academy
Topic: All Day Writer Strengths and Strategic Planning workshop
Workshop Features: Top 5 Clifton Strengths test, lunch included
FMI, email vp-programs@morwa.org or visit http://www.morwa.org/.

June Conferences and Workshops
Special Operations Writers’ Conference
Sponsor: Danica Winters, Troy Kechely, Special Operations Training, Empire Arms, and MTRWA
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Bozeman, Montana (discounted rooms available)
Fee: $350 and add-on courses available
Date: June 12–14, 2020
Speakers: Joseph Elliot, character reference and screenwriter for Netflix’s show MindHunter, Ann Leslie Tuttle, Elizabeth Pelletier, Nicole Resciniti, Lesley Sabga, Danica Winters, retired FBI agents, special operations specialists, military contractors (including retired Blackwater Operatives), Navy SEALs, DELTA force members, K-9 trainers and bomb dogs, Gallatin County Dive Team, and many more.
Conference Features: fees include general registration, dinners, breakfast, beverages. Lunch on your own.
FMI, visit http://www.SpecialOperationsWritersConference.com.

July Conferences and Workshops
Contemporary Romance Writers Summer Conference
Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers RWA
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Fee: $235 CRW Members / $245 Others
Date: July 24-27, 2020
Kharma Kelley, Shree Aier, Melanie Greene, Win Day, Miranda Darrow (feature Kharma Kelley)
Conference Features: Craft and Career Workshops, DEI Keynote with Kharma Kelley, Bias and Writing Masterclass with Shree Aier, Stiletto Contest Awards Night, Multi-Author Book Signing
FMI, visit https://contemporaryromance.org/events/summer2020conference/

CHANTICLEER CONTESTS
https://www.chantireviews.com/contests/

THE WRITE LIFE CONTESTS LIST
https://thewritelife.com/writing-contests/

Cozy Mystery Novel Writing Contest ~2020
https://www.chantireviews.com/services/Cozy-Mystery-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p21521076

SPRING 2020 SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://www.writermag.com/contests/

JERRY JENKINS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WRITING CONTESTS THROUGH 2021
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-contests/

REEDSY BEST WRTING CONTESTS OF 2020
https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&category=&sorted%5Bcol%5D=updated_at&search=science+fiction&commit=Search

POETS & WRITERS WRITING CONTESTS, GRANTS & AWARDS
https://www.pw.org/grants?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Y29xan-5QIVGKSzCh3cQwAmEAMYAiAAEgJXqvD_BwE

Writing Contests Group
WritingCorner.com

Subscribe writingcontests-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe writingcontests-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

Love Contests?
Click to Join the Writing Contests Group

A Guide to Assessing Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS, Writing Contests

RESOURCES-TIPS: For writers of all genre who want to write, and the readers who love them.

If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn't matter a damn how you write.
- Somerset Maugham

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary -- it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.
- Somerset Maugham

Anecdotes don't make good stories. Generally I dig down underneath them so far that the story that finally comes out is not what people thought their anecdotes were about.
- Alice Munro

If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rejection slips, or form letters, however tactfully phrased, are lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil -- but there is no way around them.
Isaac Asimov

To write fiction, one need a whole series of inspirations about people in an actual environment, and then a whole lot of work on the basis of those inspirations.
- Aldus Huxley

Get it down.  Take changes.  It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.
- William Faulkner

Books aren't written, they're rewritten.  Including our own.  It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it.
- Michael Crichton

Any man who keeps working is not a failure.  He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer.
- Ray Bradbury

A Guide to Assessing Writing Contests

by Kerry Hanslits

Did you know that entering a writing competition is your best opportunity to achieve publication, payment and recognition for your work? Most writers don’t know this and many will only enter writing competitions that do not charge a fee, but following the majority in this instance means that you will miss out on opportunities to give your work an edge in the marketplace.

Whether you are a poet or a short story writer, there are hundreds of contests available to you that provide cash prizes and meaningful publication. And if you are a novelist, there are contests that open doors and make careers without you ever sending a query letter to an agent. Yet, everyday, writers ignore these opportunities because they believe in myths. The most common myth that writers embrace is “entry fee equals scam” when more often the opposite is true these days. Most bonafide organizations cannot afford to offer writing contests with cash prizes without charging an entry or reading fee. It simply isn’t within their budget to offer cash prizes, pay judges, buy advertising and provide funds for the various other overhead costs that are part and parcel of running a contest without subsidizing it with contest entry fees.

Organizations that do offer contests without entry fees should be scrutinized. The cost of running a contest doesn’t disappear simply because there is no entry fee. If the sponsor is footing the entire bill, then one must ask the question of why? Is the money coming from a philanthropist? Is there a specific mission associated with the contest that justifies the cost? Is the contest supported through the sale of services or products to entrants or winners? Does the entry fee include a subscription that will increase the magazine’s circulation numbers?

Every contest must be looked at carefully. You should ask why is it being offered? Who is offering it? What’s in it for you, and a bevy of other questions to ensure that it is indeed an opportunity for you and not a scam. There are contests that exist for no other reason than to relieve you of your money, but there are many that exist for more altruistic reasons. The contests that are most often overlooked by writers are those that exist as sort of a partnership between writer and sponsor. These are the contests that frequently result in the enhancement of a writer’s career, as well as increase the opportunity of publication available to the writer.

I call them a partnership because they are not entirely altruistic in nature, in that most benefit the sponsor in some way. This benefit usually comes by way of a reading or entry fee, which funds the contest or a portion of it. Some organizations even make a profit from the contest, but for most it isn’t much of a profit. It is never as simple as taking the number of entries times the entry fee minus the prizes equals profit. Although I have seen this calculation used as an argument against contest fees, it is naive at best. To avoid the connotations of this myth, some magazines ensure there is no profit by providing entrants with a year’s subscription in exchange for the entry fee. But this too, benefits the magazine in that they can claim larger circulation numbers to garner advertising or other funds that are influenced by a magazine’s popularity. And most hope that the subscription will encourage you to re-subscribe next year or give a gift subscription to someone else.

So it’s obvious that an entry or reading fee helps the sponsor, but what does it do for you? The first thing is does is scare away a lot of your competition. Contests with fees, offered by magazines, consistently attract fewer contest entries than over-the-transom submissions. This means that if you want to be published by The Missouri Review, for example, you have a much better chance of being chosen for publication through their annual Editor’s Prize than you do through an over-the-transom submission to them. Specifically, if you submit a manuscript to The Missouri Review over the transom, your manuscript will compete with approximately 3,600 other manuscripts for publication. If you submit to the Editor’s Prize your manuscript will compete with approximately 1,200 other manuscripts for publication. Consider also, that an over-the-transom submission will garner a maximum of $750 for prose and a maximum of $250 for poetry for publication, whereas the competitions lowest prize is $1,000.Add to this the fact that industry professionals pay particular attention to the winners of the Editor’s Prize and the $15 reading fee becomes insignificant, especially since it gives you a year’s subscription to the magazine.

The Editor’s Prize is not a unique situation, but the ratio of over-the-transom submissions versus contest submission varies by publication. How much attention is paid to the winner by industry professionals varies, prize amounts and pay for regular publication also varies by publication, as does whether or not your reading fee provides you with any bonuses. You also need to consider how many professionally published writers the contest will attract if they are allowed to participate. It is necessary to evaluate each contest for its particular merits and what it has to offer you. What cannot be denied is the added advantage that contest entrants have of being noticed when submitting to a magazine’s contest versus those who submit to the magazine over-the-transom. This consistently exists when writers have a choice of participating in a fee-based contest or submitting their work to the magazine for free over the transom.

There is also value in fee-based contests offered by sponsors who do not run a magazine. There are a multitude of contests offered for novelists where publication is offered as part of the prize-no agent needed. But many of the novel contests are overlooked because publication is not offered. The prize or part of the prize is a meeting with an industry professional or a critique. What authors seem to forget is that if your novel is good, the industry professional is not going to let you get away. And if it needs some work, who better to give you some pointers than someone who works in the industry every day. And the $15 to $50 you will invest to get this opportunity for feedback is a fraction of the cost that you would pay to hire these professionals for the same feedback.

The Paul Gillette Memorial Contest offered through the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, which is designed specifically for unpublished writers, is often overlooked. Yet, this same contest, with its lowly $100 prize and optional low-priced critique, was instrumental in starting the careers of Laura Hayden, Pam McCutcheon, Karen Fox, Leslie O’Kane and Kimberly Willis Holt. Their first published books were winning pieces in the Paul Gillette Memorial Contest, which provided them with feedback and contact with professionals in the industry. The Colorado Gold contest sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Writers Group is similar in nature and the path to success that it has provided to writers.

The opportunities available through contests are everywhere, and the majority of writers are ignoring them. Make that work to your advantage, but keep in mind that not all contests are paths to opportunity. Some are not a direct path to a successful career but may still offer something of value, such as a critique or cash. Others are a scam or a mere millimeter on the legal side of things and offer nothing valuable to the writers who enter or win their competitions even though they sound like they do. Then there are some that are so popular and hyped that they attract 5,000 entries or more. When considering whether or not to enter a contest, it is important to understand the industry in which you aspire to achieve success and your own skill level. This will improve your ability to identify worthwhile contests. Also, ask yourself the series of questions below before entering any contest. There are lots of contests. Find one that’s right for you.

Resources Menu

New Articles
20 Literary Agents Seeking Writers

Love Contests?
Click to Join the Writing Contests Group