This week, we’re shedding some light on writing contests around the state and beyond. We hope that writers find these contests as exciting as we do – they’re great opportunities to hone your craft, get your work out there, and sometimes receive valuable feedback or acknowledgment. So take a look at this roster of current and upcoming contests and see if something is a good fit for your work! And if you have a great experience with a contest, let us know – we’ll be sure to highlight it in the future!
-Amy Rose
Help The Libraries of Lockheart, TX – By Writing A Ghost Story!
The Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story writing contest for 2011 is entering its third year. The only rules are that you write an original, unpublished ghost story and that it be 5000 words or less in length. First place prize of $1000.00, second place prize of $500.00 and third place prize of $250.00 will be awarded. For younger writers, The Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest offers $250.00 for first place for writers aged 12-18. This contest is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas. No publication is involved and writers retain full rights to their stories. Entries are accepted from July 1 to October 1, 2011. Full rules are at www.clarklibraryfriends.com.
Glimmer Train Looking For Short Stories By New Writers
The Glimmer Train Short Story Award for New Writers is open only to writers whose fiction has not been presented in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000. (Entries must be unpublished.) Most submissions to this category run 1,500 to 6,000 words, but can go up to 12,000 words. The contest runs several months of the year, with entries for the May contest being accepted through the last day of the month. First place wins $1,200, publication in Glimmer Train, and 20 copies of the issue. For full details and entry procedures, visit their website.
Check Out 34 Additional Contests, Courtesy of Poets and Writers!
Poets and Writers maintains a great database of contest opportunities that update throughout the year. Although there are contests of all kinds, the majority focus on poetry or short stories. Right now, you can browse 34 new contest opportunities across the country and see if one of them looks right for you! Check it out here.
