$8,700 IN PRIZES AND PUBLICATION by Fix, Grist’s solutions lab

Deadline: May 5, 2022 / No entry fee

Submissions are now being accepted for Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors, the annual climate fiction contest from Fix, Grist’s solutions lab. There is no fee to enter. Submit your short story by May 5, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. PST. 

Imagine 2200 seeks unpublished short stories of 3,000 to 5,000 words that envision the next 180 years of clean, green, and just futures. Judges include Hugo Award-winning writer Arkady Martine, esteemed editor and author Sheree Renee Thomas, and professor Grace L. Dillon , who coined the term “Indigenous futurism.” Imagine 2200 draws inspiration from Afrofuturism, as well as Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, disabled, feminist, and queer futures, and the genres of hopepunk and solarpunk. 

While we’re looking for hopeful stories, we also don’t expect you to be overly optimistic or naïve. One hundred and eighty years of equitable climate progress will require hard work, struggle, and adaptation, and we invite you to show those as well. 

In addition, we’re especially interested in cultural authenticity (a deep sense of place, customs, cuisine, and more), rich characters with intersecting identifies, and stories that challenge the status quo in which wealth and power are built on extraction, oppression, and violence. 

The top three winners will be awarded $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000, respectively, and nine finalists will receive a $300 honorarium. Those 12 authors will be published in an immersive digital collection this fall. Conjure your wildest dreams for society – all the justice, resilience, and abundance you can imagine – and put those dreams on paper.

There’s no fee to enter, so if you’re ready to get writing, you can find our submissions portal here. If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach us at imaginefiction@grist.org. 

About Grist

Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Our goal is to use the power of storytelling to illuminate the way toward a better world, inspire millions of people to walk that path with us, and show that the time for action is now. 

Announcing: the twenty-first annual: Great Poetry Exchange!

“The mission of the Poetry Super Highway
is to expose as many people to as many
other people’s poetry as possible.”

What? Send a Book / Get a Book. In February 2022, the Poetry Super Highway will coordinate a free exchange of poetry books amongst poets worldwide. It’s not a contest. There are no judges, entry fees, winners, or losers. Last year, 89 poets participated, both sending their books and receiving one from another randomly selected participant.

By agreeing to participate, someone will be exposed to your poetry, and you will be exposed to someone else’s poetry.

How? To participate you must volunteer to mail one copy of one poetry book that you have written to one other person participating. Just one book. In exchange, you will receive in the mail one copy of one poetry book written by another participating poet.

E-books are not eligible for the Great Poetry Exchange. (Save those for our annual E-Book Free-For-All in November.) Your book must be a physical entity. Even if it’s self-published, or one of one that you printed from your computer and stapled together.

To join in:

Go to http://poetrysuperhighway.com/psh/great_poetry_exchange/. Make sure you’ve read all the guidelines and click on “ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM” to enter your book’s information

In early March, we will randomly assign the books to each participant and email to you the name and address of the person you are supposed to send your book to.

We will also list your book and description on this web page along with the link to your website for all to see. In addition we will list the new books in our weekly e-mailed update which goes out to thousands of people.
 

What else?

Please note, as the Great Poetry Exchange is open to everyone on planet Earth, it’s possible that you will be required to send your book to someone outside of your own country which will, of course, cost you more in postage than it would to send it domestically.

Also, we’ll ask that yousend us an e-mail in March once your book has actually been sent so we can keep track and make sure that all participants who send a book also get one.

You also must agree to send out your book within 2 weeks of being notified of who to send your book to.

Please note, it’s a circular exchange: You will (probably) be sending a book to a different person than you will be receiving one from.

Get all the details at http://poetrysuperhighway.com/psh/great_poetry_exchange/

Last call for entries! – 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Call for Entries – Over $10,000 in Monetary prizes, 80+ categories

Call for Entries: 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Deadline: February 11, 2022 If you would like to receive greater recognition, monetary prizes, awards, and exposure for your books, here is an opportunity not to miss. Enter the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Calling all indie book authors and publishers – including small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors who have a book written in English released in 2020, 2021, or 2022 or with a 2020, 2021, or 2022 copyright date to enter the most rewarding book awards program. Offering 80+ Categories – More than 80 Awards – with over 80 monetary prizes totaling more than $10,000 in cash, including $1,500 cash prizes plus trophies for best fiction book and best non-fiction book, $750 cash prizes plus trophies for second-best fiction book, and non-fiction book and $500 cash prizes plus trophies for third-best fiction book and non-fiction book!

80+ Categories for 2022

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is the largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers and the only book awards program of its kind offering more monetary prizes, more awards, more recognition, and more exposure including exposure to a leading Literary Agent for possible representation in areas such as distribution, foreign rights, film rights, and other rights! Presented by Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG) in conjunction with Marilyn Allen of Allen O’Shea Literary Agency, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards was established to recognize and honor the top independently published books of the year. IBPPG was formed to provide support and recognition for the independent book publishing profession, and we encourage all independent authors and publishers to enter their books in the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards so that they too can earn recognition and receive other benefits from having an award-winning book!

Awards given to the Finalists and Winners of the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards are: ▪$1,500 cash prize and trophy for the best Fiction Book ▪$1,500 cash prize and trophy for the best Non-Fiction Book ▪$750 cash prize and trophy for the second-best Fiction Book ▪$750 cash prize and trophy for the second-best Non-Fiction Book ▪$500 cash prize and trophy for the third-best Fiction Book ▪$500 cash prize and trophy for the third-best Non-Fiction Book ▪$100 Cash Prize & Gold Medal for all 80+ category Winners ▪Finalist Medals for each finalist in the 80+ categories

Winners and Finalists will also receive: ▪An invitation to the gala awards reception. ▪Exposure for a full year at Next Generation Indie Book Awards as a Winner or Finalist. ▪All Winners will be listed in the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Catalog which will be distributed to thousands of book buyers, media, and others! ▪The opportunity to display Finalist or Winner gold award stickers on your book. ▪Other benefits of an award-winning book (such as potential increased revenue).

PLUS, the top 80 books will be sent to be reviewed by New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of Allen O’Shea Literary Agency or one of Ms. Allen’s co-agents for possible representation in areas that could generate even more revenue for your book (unless an entrant prefers not to have their book forwarded to the agent). Ms. Allen has over 25 years of sales and marketing experience, including serving as Senior Vice President, Associate Publisher, and Director of Marketing for Harper Collins and directing sales and marketing teams for Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books, and Avon Books. Ms. Allen has had the pleasure of working with many best-selling authors including Stephen King, Ken Follett, Barbara Kingsolver, John Gray, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more.” Independently-published books have become a major source for quality fiction and non-fiction, but often go unrecognized by the mainstream publishing industry,” notes Marilyn Allen. “Finally, an award program has been created to recognize talented authors from this important segment of our industry. Our agency represents over 100 authors and we’re always looking for new talent, so it is a great pleasure to be part of this program. We look forward to reviewing the works of the 80 best candidates and helping these authors gain the recognition they deserve.”

Deadline for the 2022 awards program – February 11, 2022.

How to enter, visit: https://indiebookawards.com/

FIRST PAGES PRIZE 2022 – SUBMISSIONS OPEN MARCH 1 – APRIL 10TH (24TH EXTENDED)

OPEN TO UN-AGENTED WRITERS WORLDWIDE, THE FIRST PAGES PRIZE INVITES YOU TO ENTER YOUR FIRST FIVE PAGES (1250 WORDS) OF A LONGER WORK OF FICTION OR CREATIVE NONFICTION.

Prizes

• Five prizes are awarded annually to emerging writers.
• The competition is for writers who are NOT currently represented by a literary agent.
• The winners receive:a. A cash award (1st – $2,000, 2nd – $1,500, 3rd – $1000, 4th – $750, 5th – $750 in US dollars)b. A tailored edit up to the first 100 pages to support the completion of their full manuscript (must be completed before end of prize year)c. Consultation with an agent via Zoom
• Cash prizes are not transferable. The developmental edit and agent consultation are not transferable or redeemable.

Eligibility – Entrants

• Eligible writers from anywhere in the world may enter.
• Entrants must be individuals, not a company or organization.
• Entrants must be over 18 years of age at the time of entering their work.
• Entrants must be currently unagented. If you are represented by or signed with an agent, you are NOT eligible to enter.
• Entrants may submit more than one entry. Each entry needs to be submitted as a separate entry and you need to pay the fee for each entry.
• Entrants must submit the work using their name, not a pen name. A pen name may be used when announcing their win, if requested.
• By entering, entrants accept that their email address is added to the mailing list of the First Pages Prize.
• By entering, winners accept that quotes from their entry and their photo and bio details may be used to promote the First Pages Prize.
• This competition is NOT OPEN to members of the board or employees of The First Page Prize, Inc., The de Groot Foundation, the reviewers or judge. Family members of the aforementioned are also NOT eligible.

Eligibility – Entries

1. Entries are blinded. The entrant’s name MUST NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript of the entry to ensure judging anonymity. The entrant’s full name MUST NOT be part of the story title. Any entry failing to comply with this rule is immediately disqualified without refund of entry fee.
2. Must be your unpublished, original work.
3. Must be written in English.
4. Entries may be for works of Fiction or Creative Non-Fiction.
5. Must not infringe upon the copyright of any person or entity.
6. No entry will be returned or kept after the winners have been announced.
7. Entries will be acknowledged upon completion of submission.
8. Copyright remains with the author.
9. Entries (or drafts of entries) that previously entered the First Pages Prize and did not place 1st, 2nd or 3rd or 4th or 5th are eligible to enter.

Works that are not Eligible

1. Previously published entries (including on a website, Wattpad or any other online or offline platform).
2. Entries (or drafts of entries) that won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in any other competition.
3. Translated works.
4. SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS are possible, however, if your entry wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in another competition you must withdraw from the First Pages Prize by emailing info@firstpagesprize.com. Your entry fee will be refunded (minus processing + transaction fees) unless you submit a different entry (within the period).

How to Enter

1. All submissions must be made through the Submittable platform https://firstpagesprize.submittable.com/submit
2. Please submit the first pages (1,250 words maximum) of a longer work of fiction or creative non-fiction.
3. Kindly double space your pages, using Times New Roman 12-point font.
4. Entries for the 2022 competition open on March 1, 2022 at 00:00 am Pacific Standard Time and close on April 10, 2022 at 23:59 (11:59 p.m.) Pacific Standard Time. An extended entry period opens on April 10, 2022 at 00:00 am Pacific Standard Time and closes on April 24, 2022 at 23:59 (11:59 p.m.) Pacific Standard Time. Please check a time zone converter to avoid disappointment and inability to enter http://www.timebie.com/std/pst.php or https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com 
5. Only submissions received and paid for within the entry periods will be considered.
6. Entries that are not paid for, are incomplete, corrupted or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
7. The entry fee is $20 US dollars per entry. The extended entry fee is $35 US dollars per entry.
8. No alteration may be made to the entry once it is submitted.

By entering this competition, each entrant agrees to be bound by the competition guidelines, terms and conditions.

Review & Judging Process

1. All entries to the First Pages Prize are submitted to a blinded review process. Reviewers and judge do not know the identity of entrants submitting.
2. Each entry is read by multiple reviewers.
3. Our judging criteria are: quality of writing (including character development and originality), a sense of story or bigger narrative emerging, and how much the reviewers and judge are hooked by the writing.
4. Our review and judging process adheres to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics (see below).
5. Only winners will be contacted.
6. No individual feedback will be provided except to the top five Finalists.
7. The decisions of the reading panel and judge are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the judging process.

Thank you for entering. We look forward to reading your pages.

Visit the website: https://www.firstpagesprize.com/new-page-1

Aldo & Estella Leopold Residency

Deadline: Apply by February 25, 2022

The Aldo & Estella Leopold Residency is an inspiring one-month retreat for environmental writers. Based at “Mi Casita,” Aldo and Estella Leopold’s first home in Northern New Mexico, the Residency provides a space for writers and respected thinkers committed to reshaping the cultural story about the relationship between humans and nature.

Two residents per year are selected from a field of candidates who complete the application process. Each receives a $750 stipend to offset travel and living costs.

Interested applicants may submit a maximum two-page resume along with a maximum 500-word statement of interest describing how your work at Mi Casita will extend the legacy of Aldo and Estella Leopold. Also, please indicate how you heard about the Residency Program.

Please email application materials to Jeff Pappas (LWP Board Member and Residency Coordinator) at jeff_pappas@hotmail.com. A processing fee of $20 is required to qualify for review, to be submitted at the time of application.

Contact information: Rachel Landman, Program Coordinator, The Leopold Writing Program
rachel.leopoldwriting@gmail.com

URL/link:

https://www.leopoldwritingprogram.org/residency.html

Write your best poems and short stories to win cash prizes totaling $1275.00!

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who enjoys expressing innermost thoughts and feelings into the beautiful literary art of poetry or writing a story that’s worth telling everyone! Welcome to all, having the ability to dream… Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1275.00! All works must be original. https://www.dreamquestone.com

Guidelines:

Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.

And/or write a short story, 5 pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries, short screenplays, and screenwriting). Also, all entries must be either typed or legibly hand-printed.

Multiple and simultaneous poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Postmark deadline: March 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM

All contest winners will be published on May 22, 2022

Prizes(USD):

Writing First Prize is $500. Second: $250. Third: $100.

Poetry First Prize is $250. Second: $125. Third: $50.

Entry fees(USD): $5 per poem, $10 per story

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, mailing address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: “DREAMQUESTONE.COM”

Mail to:

Dream Quest One

Poetry & Writing Contest

P.O. Box 3141

Chicago, IL 60654

Visit https://www.dreamquestone.com for details on how to enter!

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember, in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One

Fabula Press’ Nivalis 2022 Short Story Competition

Deadline: Midnight, April 14, 2022

There is no theme for the contest; also, barring a few exceptions, we are flexible about genre. So while we are heavy on ‘literary fiction’, we would welcome a Poesque tale of horror, an enchanting work of historical fiction, or even light science fiction.

Word Count: Minimum 2000, maximum 6000 words. Slightly longer stories may be considered on merit.

Format: Stories must be in English, in a readable (Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond, etc.), 12 point font. Format should be as .doc, .docx, or .pdf document. The contest will be blind judged, so the submitted document should only contain the name of the story, and no other information about the author.

Key Dates: The winter contest window opened will close at midnight, April 14, 2022.

Results will be announced in July 2022.

Simultaneous submission: Allowed, but authors must let us know if the story is accepted elsewhere before our results are announced.  

Prior publishing: Submitted stories must not have been previously published either online or offline. However, stories published in local journals, book club publications, etc. with a circulation of no more than 1000 will be exempted from this requirement.

Entry fee: US$ 10. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may submit, but every entry must be accompanied by the entry fee.

Judges: The panel of judges includes literary agents, authors, and essayists.

Prizes:

First Prize: US$500

Second Prize: US$250

Third Prize: US$150

All other longlisted authors selected for publication in the contest anthology shall be paid an honorarium of US$75 each.

How to enter, visit: https://www.pressfabula.com/

Please read the detailed terms and conditions on the submissions page before submitting, and for any queries please reach out to editors@pressfabula.com

Note: You may mention that you’ve heard of the Fabula Press’ Nivalis 2022 Short Story Competition from our CreativeWritingContests page listings. Warm wishes and my utmost gratitude to you all.

Something I Can Sink My Teeth Into

Deadline: February 28, 2022, at 11:59 PM

Don’t you just love the taste of blood in the morning? We’re seeking stories that capture all things you love about vampires. So give us those paranormal protagonists, those cruel counts, and those unruly undeads. Works up to 3,000 words will be considered.

First Prize: $600 – Feedback from the judges/Tales team, promotional placement across all Tales platforms, inclusion in our email list, new story cover, and “Award Winner” badge.

Second Prize: $300 – Promotional placement across all Tales platforms, inclusion in our email list, new story cover, and “Award Winner” badge.

Third Prize: $100 – Promotional placement across all Tales platforms, inclusion in our email list, new story cover, and “Award Winner” badge.

All winning stories will be greenlit for Tales Publication.

Contact information: brooke@talescreator.com

How to enter, visit: https://talescreator.com/contest/something-i-can-sink-my-teeth-into/