June 2011 Writing Contests

Writing journal

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If you have never entered a writing contest, you may want to try it. You never know who’ll read your poems, fiction, non-fiction, short stories, or screenplays. The fees are usually under $100 — some are free. Don’t let a fee of $10, $15, $25, or $50 hold you back. Think about it this way. For a nominal fee, you could win a prize of $500 or more along with a $15,000 publishing deal. You won’t know if you’ll win unless you try!

June writing contests

Tony Hillerman Mystery Novel Competition. A mystery novel contest (60,000 words) that costs you $20 for a chance to win a $10,000 Advance and Publication with St. Martin’s Press. The deadline is June 1. By the way, there’s a mystery short story contest. The deadline is August 15.

Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction. Win $2,000 for works of previously unpublished fiction up to 8,000 words. The deadline is June 11.

Deane Wagner Poetry Contest. Is an annual tradition of the St. Louis Writers Guild. The deadline is June 15. The cost is $10 for the first poem and $5 for additional poems. The is $100 or 40% of the monies received from the contest (whichever is greater).

New Millennium Writings. Is accepting submissions for their for our Thirty-second Consecutive Awards for Fiction, Poetry, and Nonfiction. The fee is $17 per submission. Winners are published in NMW and on the website.

Dream Horse Press National Poetry Chapbook Prize. You can send unsolicited manuscripts all year round; there’s a $10 reading fee. However, for $15 you enter the annual ‘National Poetry Chapbook Prize’ for a chance to win $500.00. The deadline is June 30.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. A major award ($15,000.00) for short fiction. The requirements are as follows: you must have published at least three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals; or published a book-length collection of fiction. The deadline is June 30.

Autumn House Press Poetry and Fiction Contests. “The winners will receive book publication, $1,000 advance against royalties, and a $1,500 travel grant to participate in the 2012 Autumn House Master Authors Series in Pittsburgh.” The fee is $25, deadline is June 30.

Red Hen Press Short Story Award. Win $1000 for your short story! The entry fee is $20 for two short stories; the deadline is June 30.

Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing. Win $1000 for your writing for children; runners up receive $100 each. Send your $20 entry fee by June 30.

Writers of the Future. This contest is out of this world! There’s no entry fee. Prizes are awarded every three months and include $1000, $750, and $500. Annual grand prize of $5000!

Good luck!

Rebecca

Bonuses!

Glimmer Train Press, Inc. — Short Story Award. The deadline  is May 31 so hurry! The fee is $15 per story. First prize is $1200, second place is $500, and third place is $300. They do not accept children’s stories.

Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. Another contest with a deadline of May 31. The entry fee of $25 could score you $1000 cash along with your collection printed by the University of Georgia Press. Not too shabby!

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