Category Archives: Contests August

Tony Hillerman 2010 Mystery Short Story Contest

Deadline: August 15, 2011

Entry Fee: $20

Guidelines: Tony Hillerman Prize, Wordharvest Writing Contests

This contest is a big deal for mystery writers. Stories should be 2,500 words or less, set in New Mexico. This year they’re offering a critique from a judge for $100 if you want to fork over the extra cash.

The winning story will be published in an issue of New Mexico Magazine. The winner also receives $1,000 and two tickets to the awards ceremony at the Tony Hillerman Writers Weekend.

I like the straightforward style of the contest rules. They read,

Decision of the judges is final. No whining allowed.

It doesn’t get much clearer than that!

Good luck and happy writing.

The First Line Fall 2011 Open for Submissions

Deadline: August 1, 2011

Guidelines: The First Line

The First Line publishes several books a year of short stories featuring writing in a wide variety of genres. As the name implies, each issue requires a specific first line. The line for the Fall 2011 issue is:

Edwin spotted them the moment he stepped off the train.

No changes are permitted to the first line. It’s entertaining to see the range of story development from the same initial words.

There is no fee for entries to The First Line literary magazine.

2011 Linda Flowers Literary Award

This press release arrived today announcing the current round of this established contest.

2011 Linda Flowers Literary Award:  North Carolina Humanities Council Calls for Submissions

Deadline: August 15, 2011

Entry Fee: Free

First Place Award: $500

GREENSBORO, NC (June 17, 2011) – The North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, invites original entries of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for the 2011 Linda Flowers Literary Award. The postmark deadline for submissions is August 15, 2011.

The Linda Flowers Literary Award is given annually by the North Carolina Humanities  Council for unpublished writing that portrays North Carolina, its people, and cultures. While authors do not have to be North Carolinians, entries are expected to draw on North Carolina connections and/or memories.

The North Carolina Humanities Council will award the author of the winning entry a cash prize of $500, publication in the Humanities Council’s biannual magazine North Carolina Conversations, and support towards a weeklong writer’s residency at Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines.

There is no entry fee. Entries should be no longer than 2,500 words and five copies of an entry should be submitted. For a complete description and full submission guidelines for the Linda Flowers Literary Award, visit the North Carolina Humanities Council website at www.nchumanities.org.

Entries should be mailed to the North Carolina Humanities Council, Attention: Dr. Shelley Crisp, Executive Director, 122 N. Elm Street, Suite 601, Greensboro, NC, 27401. Questions may be directed to Dr. Crisp at scrisp@nchumanities.org or (336) 334-5383.

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The North Carolina Humanities Council is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Humanities Council supports through grants and public programs vital conversations that nurture the cultures and heritage of North Carolina. In addition to grants and publications, the Council offers the Teachers Institute, a free professional education development program for NC’s K-12 public school teachers; Road Scholars, a speakers bureau bringing scholars and NC communities together to explore issues in the public humanities; Let’s Talk About It, a library discussion series of literature and film in partnership with the North Carolina Center for the Book; Museum on Main Street (MoMS), a traveling exhibition in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution and rural NC towns statewide; NC Roadwork, an initiative encouraging the examination of local NC history related to routes of human passage; and Literature and Medicine, a scholar-facilitated book
discussion group for hospital staff to reflect on the larger mission of medicine. Learn more about the work of the North Carolina Humanities Council at www.nchumanities.org.

The First Line Writing Prompts for 2011

Entry fee: FREE

Deadlines: Quarterly. See the blog post.

Guidelines: The First Line

One of the best ways to get better at writing is to write. Write well, write often, write regularly. One way to do this is to participate in contests or submit to magazines and ezines that have regular deadlines. The First Line is such a good magazine that I always recommend it on the blog. All you have to do is write a story using the first line they declare for that issue. Here are the prompts and deadlines for the year 2011.

Spring 2011: Sam was a loyal employee.

(Submissions due February 1, 2011.)

Summer 2011: “We need to talk.”

(Submissions due May 1, 2011.)

Fall 2011: Edwin spotted them the moment he stepped off the train.

(Submissions due August 1, 2011.)

Winter 2011: It had been a long year.

(Submissions due November 1, 2011.)

Happy writing, and good luck in your pursuit of publication.

Dog Days of Summer Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: August 15, 2010

Entry Fee: Be a follower of The NOT blog.

Guidelines: http://notfromhereareyou.blogspot.com/2010/06/dog-days-of-summer-contest-not-e-chap.html

The NOT blog is looking for writers who know how to tell a story succinctly. In exactly 101 words, write a compelling tale that includes the words “summer” and “heat.” The prize? Inclusion in the e-chapbook to be released on September 1, 2010.

This might be a perfect way to while away a bit of poolside time with the laptop. When you’re finished, send your entry in the body of an email to michaeljsolender@gmail.com. Include Dog Days Entry, the title of your story, and your name in the subject.

Good luck and happy writing!

Past Loves Day Story Contest

Deadline: August 17, 2010

Entry Fee: FREE

Guidelines: http://www.ourpastloves.com/contest

Personal memoir is growing in popularity, especially stories that create an emotional resonance with readers. Write your true story of a former sweetheart, in 700 words or less for this contest.

This is the fourth annual Past Loves Story Contest, according to sponsors Kate and Leon and they are also in the process of putting together an anthology. You can read the winning entries from the past three years at the website, which will give you an idea of what they’re looking for. As with any love story, emotion drives the plot, and the theme is how that person affected or changed your life. What nicer thing to write about than love?

Science Fiction – What If? Short Story Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: August 31, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.readme.us.com/contest.html

 

A writing teacher once advised me to always take my writing to the next level by asking a key question, “What if?” If your story is about a dog running away, ask yourself, “What if it happened on a trip 3,000 miles from home?” Then, “What if the dog walked and hitched rides all the way back?” Perhaps, “What if he encountered wild animals, or a dogcatcher, or impassable mountains?” That’s how a story is born.

For this contest, think of a science fiction concept, then ask yourself, “What if?” Write your story to answer that question in 5,000 words or less. If Read Me Publishing chooses your entry as a winner, you’ll receive a small cash prize and publication in their upcoming anthology. Submissions must be done online. In the subject line, type Submission: WHAT IF CONTEST.

In addition, Read Me Publishing accepts year-round submissions of short stories through their online sister site, Short Story Library. Read Me Publishing is a micro press that publishes ebooks and print books through POD (Print on Demand technology.) After reading a few of the tales at Short Story Library, you’ll be familiar with what editor Casey Quinn considers good writing, and you’ll be ready to submit.

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Family Circle Fiction Contest

Deadline: August 31, 2009

Entry Fee: FREE

Guidelines: http://www.parents.com/family-life/fitness/stress-relaxation/fiction-contest-winners/?page=12

 

            You may have a story ready to submit to this contest in your computer files right now. Family Circle Magazine sponsors this annual writing contest, although they don’t publicize heavily for it. The guideline page is titled “Fiction Contest Winners,” but don’t be misled. The entry rules are on the same page as the winning entries. They are looking for stories up to 2,500 words, on any topic that would appeal to their demographic of readers.

The winner receives $750 plus publication in Family Circle Magazine. In addition, the prize includes a voucher for one class and a one-year subscription at mediabistro.com. All submissions must be mailed through the postal service with an arrival date of no later than September 7, 2009. They will accept up to two original stories from each writer.

Here is the address:

Family Circle Fiction Writing Contest
c/o Family Circle Magazine
375 Lexington Avenue
9th Floor, New York, NY 10017

 

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Past Loves Day 2009 Writing Contest

Contest: Past Loves Day 2009 Writing Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: August 16, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.ourpastloves.com/contest

Celebrate Past Loves Day on September 17, 2009 by reminiscing about a sweetheart or romance and how that person changed your life. Did you have a favorite song? A favorite getaway? A favorite food? Write a creative non-fiction story about your experience in 700 words or less. The tone should be casual, as if you were telling the story to a close friend. For examples, you may read past winning entries. They accept entries by email and by snail mail. Winners receive cash prizes and publication on the website.

Writing on Walls III Writing Contest

Entry Fee: $15

Deadline: August 1, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.storyteller1.upcsites.org/page/page/4382383.htm

This is another contest sponsored by Storyteller Magazine. Winners receive cash prizes ranging from $200 to $75. All contributors receive a free copy of the anthology once it is published. The guidelines are sparse; stories up to 3,000 words are accepted in any genre.