QUARTERLY CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST

QUARTERLY CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST

OVERVIEW:

WOW! is proud to introduce our newest essay contest! Writers have been asking us to host an essay contest for many years, and we’ve finally listened. The mission of this essay contest is to inspire creative nonfiction and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. Your story must be true, but the way you tell it is your chance to get creative. We are open to all styles of essay—from personal essay to lyric essay to hybrid essay, and beyond! Please make sure you download our Contest Terms & Conditions PDF below for complete guidelines. Get creative, dig deep, and let’s have some fun! We look forward to reading your work!

WORD COUNT:

Maximum: 1000

Minimum: 200

The title is not to be counted in your word count. We use MS Word’s word count to determine the submitted entry’s word count.

TOPIC:

OPEN TOPIC!

You can write about any subject you want to explore, as long as it’s within the word count and nonfiction. If you’re feeling inspired, write something new, or dig out those essays you started way back when and tailor them to the word count.

Click to Download the CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST Terms & Conditions PDF

CONTEST DEADLINES
Q2: November 1 – January 31st, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time) – NOW OPEN!

ENTRY FEE: $12.00

This is not a reading fee. Entry fees are used to award our winners as well as administrative costs.

We are limiting the number of entries to a maximum of 300 essays. Please enter early to ensure inclusion. If we reach 300 entries, we will disable the PayPal buttons.

OR

Buy Entry with Critique: $25.00

ADDITIONAL OPTION: Due to popular demand, we now have two options for your entry. For an additional $13.00 you can purchase a critique of your contest entry.

Upon the close of our contest, and after the winners are announced, you will receive a critique from one of our roundtable judges on three categories:

• Subject
• Content
• Technical

You will be provided with your scores (1-5) in each category, and personal editorial feedback as well. There’s also an additional category that does not get scored: Overview. That is the general impression your story had on the reader. Please be patient upon the close of our contest and allow time for our editors to thoroughly critique your piece. We send out critiques after the contest winners are announced.

PRIZES!

FIRST PLACE:

• $500.00 cash prize
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

SECOND PLACE:

• $300.00 cash prize
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

THIRD PLACE:

• $200.00 cash prize
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

7 RUNNERS UP:

• $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing

10 HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• Name, state, and title entry published on WOW! Women On Writing

Click to Download the CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST Terms & Conditions PDF

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF. Download the latest version at http://www.adobe.com

Please read the contest terms & conditions in full before submitting your entry. Please make sure you read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) before sending us an email.

Best of luck!

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

Q1 2017 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

How to enter, visit: http://wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#EssayContest

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Lex:lead Scholarship Competition – 2017

NO ENTRY FEE.

Deadline: November 30, 2017

Lex:lead is a group of international lawyers and friends who support economic development focusing on the world’s least developed countries. We offer an annual essay competition on topics of law and development to the world’s least developed countries. In this way we transfer one-time US$500 awards to students addressing our fundamental question: What can law do to reduce poverty and foster economic growth? Candidates must have citizenship in an eligible country and be a law student enrolled in studies in an eligible country at the time of award. Up to ten awards will be granted in February 2018.

Visit the website:

http://www.lex-lead.org/Scholarships.php

 

Deadline April 30: $1,500 For a Story, $1,500 For an Essay

$1,500 For a Story, $1,500 For an Essay The deadline is April 30, 2017 to enter this year’s Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. We’ll award 12 cash prizes totaling $4,000. The winning entries will be published on our website. The top winners will receive prominent exposure on our home page. Key contest information: New final judge: Judy Juanita (see her advice) Top prizes: Best Story, $1,500; Best Essay, $1,500 Submit as many entries as you like Entry fee: $18 per entry Enter online using Submittable Length limit: 6,000 words per entry Subject: Any Previously published work OK? Yes Writers from all countries eligible Past winning entries with judges’ remarks: See our archives Questions? Please email adam@winningwriters.com. Can’t Enter Online? If you are using a mobile device, or are otherwise having difficulty using our online entry system, you may mail your entry to: Winning Writers Attn: Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222      Northampton, MA 01060-3961      USA Please include a check or money order for $18 payable to Winning Writers, and note your email address and phone number with your payment. You may mail multiple submissions in a single envelope with one combined payment. Please send US funds drawn on a US bank, or send your fee as US currency.

The Radiant Peace Education Awards

Fall 2016 (Twenty-sixth Annual)

All students in grades 1-8 — from public and private schools, home schools, youth and after-school groups, and abroad — are welcome to enter the Fall 2016 national program of The Radiant Peace Education Awards^®! The Radiant Peace Education Awards program gives students an opportunity to express themselves about Radiant Peace in their own lives in essays, art, videos and projects.

This year’s entries must be postmarked by December 7, 2016, with winners being announced in January 2017. All participants receive beautiful iron-on Radiant Peace Patches, and outstanding entries will also receive certificates and cash awards! Winner’s classrooms will also receive cash awards. In addition, many of the most creative or exceptional entries will be displayed in The International Museum of Radiant Peace.

Printable information is available here in PDF format: the complete packet of information (4 pages), which includes the guidelines, permission form and entry checklist; and the permission form and checklist only for submitting entries (2 pages). If you have any questions or need copies faxed or mailed, please contact the Foundation office.

The next program, open to students in grades 1-12, will be offered with a spring 2017 postmark deadline. Materials will be posted online by the end of January. If you are not already on the mailing list, please contact the Foundation office to ensure that you receive an announcement.

Visit the website: 

http://www.radiantpeace.org/trpea/invitation.html

New Letters Literary Awards

Deadline: May 18, 2016.

New Letters invites you to submit fiction, essays, or poetry to the New Letters Literary Awards. Winners receive $1,500 for best essay, $1,500 for best poetry, and $1,500 for best fiction, and publication inNew Letters.

All entries are considered for publication and must be unpublished. Winners will be announced mid-September 2016. Essay and fiction entries may not exceed 8,000 words; poetry entries may contain one to six poems. $20 (postal mail)/ $25 (online) for first entry; $15 (postal mail)/ $20 (online) for each entry after. $20/$25 entry fee includes a one-year subscription to New Letters.

Previous judges have included Philip Levine, Joyce Carol Oates, Rishi Reddi, Mary Jo Salter, Carole Maso, Cornelius Eady, Margot Livsey, Benjamin Percy, Robin Hemley, and Kim Addonizio. For complete guidelines, visit http://www.newletters.org/writers-wanted/writing-contests, or send an S.A.S.E. to Ashley Wann, Contest Coordinator, New Letters, 5101 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110.

Hunger Mountain – Literary Prizes

Hunger Mountain

Literary Prizes

Deadline: March 1, 2016

Entry Fee: $20

Website: http://www.hungermtn.org

E-mail address: hungermtn@vcfa.edu

Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Hunger Mountain are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Lee Upton will judge in poetry, Janet Burroway will judge in fiction, and Robert Michael Pyle will judge in nonfiction. Submit up to three poems or a story or essay of up to 10,000 words with a $20 entry fee by March 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Hunger Mountain, Literary Prizes, Vermont College of Fine Arts, 36 College Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. (802) 828-8517. Samantha Kolber, Managing Editor.

Narrative Magazine’s: Winter 2015 Story Contest

Our winter contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. We’re looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

Narrative winners and finalists have gone on to win the Pushcart Prize, the Whiting Writers’ Award, and the Atlantic prize, and have appeared in The Best American Short Stories, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, and others. View all the recent awards won by Narrative authors.

As always, we are looking for works with a strong narrative drive, with characters we can respond to as human beings, and with effects of language, situation, and insight that are intense and total. We look for works that have the ambition of enlarging our view of ourselves and the world.

We welcome and look forward to reading your pages.

Click here to submit your work.

Awards: First Prize is $2,500, Second Prize is $1,000, Third Prize is $500, and ten finalists will receive $100 each. All entries will be considered for publication.

Submission Fee: There is a $22 fee for each entry. And with your entry, you’ll receive three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.

All contest entries are eligible for the $4,000 Narrative Prize for 2015 and for acceptance as a Story of the Week.

Timing: The contest deadline is March 31, 2015, at midnight, Pacific daylight time.

Judging: The contest will be judged by the editors of the magazine. Winners and finalists will be announced to the public by April 30, 2015. All writers who enter will be notified by email of the judges’ decisions. The judges reserve the option to declare a tie in the selection of winners and to award only as many winners and finalists as are appropriate to the quality of work represented in the magazine.

Submission Guidelines: Please read our Submission Guidelines for manuscript formatting and other information.

Other Submission Categories: In addition to our contest, please review our other Submission Categories for areas that may interest you.

Click here to submit your work.

Visit the website:  http://www.narrativemagazine.com/winter-2015-story-contest

Table 4 Writers Foundation – 3rd Annual Writing Competition

The Table 4 Writers Foundation, formed to honor the legendary restaurateur Elaine Kaufman, will award a grand prize of $5,000 and two runner-up prizes of $2,500 apiece to promising writers as part of its third annual competition.

What’s at Stake: One grand prize of $5,000; two runner-up prizes of $2,500 apiece.

Who’s Eligible: Writers 21 and older; Previous winners not eligible.

What to Submit:
1. A completed application form obtained from the foundation’s website (www.table4.org). Information will include your full name, home address, phone number(s), email address, and title of the entry. In addition, the entrant must explain how the grant will be used to further their work. Identifying information should appear only on the entry form and should not appear on the title page or any other page of the entry.
2. Four hard copies of one piece of unpublished prose (fiction or nonfiction) that deals with some aspect of New York City in a meaningful way. Submissions are limited to short stories, essays, and book excerpts. Each entry should be about 4 to 10 pages long, or 1,000 to 2,500 words. The work can be self-contained or an excerpt of a longer work, but must be the work of only one person (no collaborative entries). Submissions must be the original work of the entrant and may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other fiction or nonfiction material, published or unpublished.
3. A $10 entry fee (check or money order), made out to The Table 4 Writers Foundation.
Where to Submit: Send by U.S. Mail to 1650 Broadway, Suite 405, New York, NY, 10019. No electronic submissions will be accepted.
The Deadline: Entries must be postmarked no later than Nov. 15, 2014.

Download the 2014 Grant Guidelines

Download the 2014 Entry Form >

Where to Submit:
Send by U.S. Mail to: Table 4 Writers Foundation 1650 Broadway, Suite 405 New York, NY 10019
No electronic submissions will be accepted.
The Deadline: Entries must be postmarked no later than Nov.15, 2014.
Additional Terms:
• All entries must be written in English
• Submissions will not be returned
• Members, employees, competition judges of the Table 4 Writers Foundation and their immediate families, and previous winners are not eligible to take part in the competition
• Grant recipients will be notified no later than Feb. 1, 2015
• Grants will be awarded at the annual spring event in 2015

Visit the website:  http://www.table4.org/

2014 Writing Contest Competion $1000 in prizes (for students and authors)

Writing Contest Theme

For high school and university students

Writing prompt: “Good Writing is_________”

Suggested Topics: writing tips, strategies, how to write more, better, how to get creative, writing inspiration, etc. We want articles that are useful + informative + interesting. We like the use of quotes by famous writers. We like anecdotes, either historical or personal.

First prize: $250 cash + $250 in free editing (for your papers, applications, etc).

Second Prize: $100 cash + $100 in free editing (essays, etc.)

For published or aspiring authors

Writing prompt: “How to write a book.”

Suggested Topics: writing a book, literature, story and character development, your personal strategies for productivity, dealing with writer’s block, etc.

First Prize: Up to 50,000 words free editing ($900 value)

Second Prize: eBook Cover Design and Formatting from Creativindie ($679 value)

Third Prize: 1 Week Writer’s Vacation ($500 value)

Essay length 500~1500 words

Bonuses

We will post all the articles on this website as they come in (We will edit them for free, just to remove any typos, spelling or grammar issues, but leave the basic content and style as is.) If you’d like a link back to your personal site, so readers can find you, just tell us (may be useful for book promotion, or if you’re a freelance copy writer).

We’d also like to choose 10 to 20 of the best submissions and put them together in a book, which will be made available in print and ebook formats. If we pick yours we’ll give you bragging rights as a published author and an Amazon gift card.

Contest Deadline:

The contest will be open until May 31st, 2014. That’s a nice long period of time for you to think about and write your essays. Please copy and paste them into an email (rather than attaching a file), with your full name, city/country, age and category (author/student).

PS) We’re really flexible on the prizes – let us know what you hope to win and we’ll make sure you’re in the right category; switching from one prize to another will most likely be possible as well.

Send your submissions to: editor@paper-perfect-editing.com  (make sure you put “writing contest” in the subject field).

website : http://www.paper-perfect-editing.com/writing-contest-competion-1000-in-prizes/

Last Call! Sports Fiction & Essay Contest

Sports Fiction & Essay Contest

Submit Online by May 31

It’s last call to enter the 2013 Sports Fiction & Essay Contest sponsored by Winning Writers. The final judge is Jendi Reiter. We’ll award $3,000 in prizes.

Fiction Category

First Prize, $1,000 cash

Five Honorable Mentions, $100 cash each

Essay Category

First Prize, $1,000 cash

Five Honorable Mentions, $100 cash each

Entries should be original and unpublished

Each entry may contain up to 6,000 words

You may submit any number of entries

Fee per entry: $15

Deadline: May 31, 2013

Submit entries at

winningwriters.com/sports

 
All winners of cash prizes will be announced in our email newsletter and published on WinningWriters.com.

Read last year’s winning entries and the judges’ comments.

Last Call! for Personal Stories of Survival, Inspired by Gloria Gaynor’s Song “I Will Survive”

Deadline: April 30, 2013

Have you survived an illness, personal tragedy, abusive relationship, financial ruin, or other life experience that brought you to your knees? Did the song “I Will Survive,” by Grammy Award-winning songstress Gloria Gaynor, inspire you to rise, survive, and move forward? If so, we’d love to share your story in a new book of personal narrative essays that tell the story of how you survived the experience and how the song influenced your life (essential). We’re looking for real-life stories that read like fiction—similar to the stories in the Cup of Comfort book series, compiled and edited by Colleen Sell. The book will include 50 stories of 1,000-1,500 words each. For each essay selected for publication in the book, the author will receive $75, a complimentary copy of the book signed by Gloria Gaynor, and a signed photo of Ms. Gaynor.

Submit by April 30, 2013, toglolo2004@me.com or susancarswell@aol.com

Deep Sea Publishing Writing Contests

Deep Sea Publishing is announcing several new contests!

To find out more about these contests, go to http://deepseapublishing.com/contest/

Authors’ Contest: Deep Sea Publishing is announcing a new contest for authors.   DMT will select a minimum of  5 authors to publish free of charge. Winners will be announced on this website on January 31, 2013.  The publication goal is to have all authors published by May 15, 2013.  Valued at over $1,000, this is a dream offer to first-time or seasoned authors.   The winners receive:

• paperback book up to 450 pages (in 5 x 8 format) published free of charge;
• e-book published free of charge;
• 2 ISBN’s (one for paperback and one for e-book);
• free deluxe book cover design;
• free book editing, proofing, and formatting;
• 10 copies in paperback form;
• low-cost copies for the author whenever more copies are desired;
• book listed and sold on Amazon.com (paperback and e-book), BarnesandNoble.com (e-book), and others;
• book listed and sold on Deep Sea website;
• author webpage on Deep Sea website;
• book webpage on Deep Sea website;
• social media advertizing on Facebook and Twitter;
• advertizing on other channels.
• Entrance fee: $5
• Submittal deadline is: January 15, 2013. Early submittal is encouraged.

Check out all details at: http://deepseapublishing.com/contest/authors-contest/

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS:  Deep Sea Publishing is going to have a contest for your reading, English and literature classrooms. We will be looking for great, well-written stories written collectively by students in class. Starting December 1, 2012 for high school reading and literature classrooms. Check out our link for more details: http://deepseapublishing.com/contest/classroom-contest-2013/

Young Adult Authors: DSP is launching a contest just for you. Find out more details at: http://deepseapublishing.com/contest/ya-contest-2013/ . The deadline for all entries is  9:00 pm EST,  February 28, 2013.   The award winner will be announced by March 17, 2013.  Early entrance is suggested.

Free Books:   Deep Sea Publishing gives away free copies of its books every month.   To enter the book contest, register (subscribe) at this site or send an email to  register@deepseapublishing.com and put Free Book in the subject or body of the email.

Deep Sea Publishing had a number of winners for its free book give-aways. People like Anna Jones of Midlothian, Virginia, Blake Kaplan of Gautier, Mississippi, and Meredith Booker of Sarasota, Florida won free copies of The Bryant Family Chronicles: Death and Gold in Zara Zote.  You can also check for free books on our Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Deep-Sea-Publishing/192930410753256 or on Twitter: @DeepSeaPublish .    Free shipping is only within the USA.  See more information plus our prize puzzles at our prize page: http://deepseapublishing.com/contest/free-books-prize-puzzles/Like a good crossword puzzle, here’s one for our readers:  http://deepseapublishing.com/contest/crossword-puzzle/

Emerging Writer’s Contest – 2013

Submit between February 1, 2013 at noon and April 2, 2013 at noon

Entry Fee: $24 for non-subscribers; free for subscribers

Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Ploughshares will be given annually for a poem or group of poems, a short story, and an essay. Writers who have not published a book or chapbook are eligible. Submit three to five poems or up to 5,000 words of prose with a $24 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Ploughshares, by April 2. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Website:

http://www.pshares.org/submit/emerging-writers-contest.cfm

E-mail address :pshares@emerson.edu

Ploughshares, Emerging Writer’s Contest, Emerson College, 120 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.

—

Jordan Stillman & Ellen Duffer

Fall 2012 Interns

Ploughshares Literary Magazine

617-824-3757
To contact the Editorial Assistant, Abby Travis: pshares@pshares.org

Mailing Address:
Emerson College, 120 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

Pshares.org
blog.pshares.org

@pshares

Facebook.com/Ploughshare

Visit the website for details: http://www.pshares.org/submit/emerging-writers-contest.cfm

The New Jersey Second Amendment Society’s (NJ2AS) First High-School Essay Writing Contest

 The New Jersey Second Amendment Society (NJ2AS) is holding its first high school essay writing contest. Beginning November 1^st, high school students are invited to submit an essay up to 500 words about the Second Amendment.

Inspired by the recent surge in firearm ownership throughout NJ the New Jersey Second Amendment Society created this contest to help students explore their belief and understandings about the second amendment to the US Constitution. 

The theme for the contest is “what is the meaning of the Second Amendment and how does it relate to the modern world.” Students are encouraged to use the theme as a guideline and to be creative with the interpretation of the Second Amendment as they describe its relevance to their lives.

In order to be consider, all essays must adhere to the following format:

• Double spaced
• 1 inch margins
• Include an essay title
• Have 12 point font
• Use Microsoft Word or a compatible format

The contest is open to all high school students in New Jersey, and all essays must be 500 words or less. Only one essay may be submitted per student. The essay must be related to the Second Amendment and the individual right of the people to keep and bear arms.

Submissions must be submitted by email to writingcontest@nj2as.com by March 30, 2013, 5:00pm EST. The winners will be announced on June 1, 2013.

Winner of the contest will get the opportunity to participate in a Gun Test Drive with Gun for Hire Academy. They can shoot total 144 rounds through one mystery gun, six long-guns and ten handguns. (parental permission may be required)

To learn more about the organization visit:  http://www.nj2as.com/

Or, Refer to:

Frank Jack Fiamango 

NJ2AS

P.O. Box 128

Manahawkin, NJ 08050

(609) 848-0507

Call for entries – Kupferberg Short Story Prize

With Guest Judge Jim Shepard

The winning submission, selected by Jim Shepard, will be read as part of the Selected Shorts performance at Symphony Space on June 12, 2013. The story will be recorded for possible later broadcast as part of the public radio series. The winner will also receive $1000 and a 10-week class from Gotham Writers’ Workshop.

Story requirements

• Submit a single short story that fits the theme “Complicated Families.”
• Your story must have a title.
• Your story must be no more than 750 words (Times New Roman, 12pt font).
• Your story must be unpublished.

The Prize
The winner will receive: $1000; two tickets to the June 12, 2013 Selected Shorts at Symphony Space, when the prize winning story will be read and recorded for possible broadcast; 10-week creative writing class with Gotham Writers’ Workshop offered in NYC or online. (Prize does not include transportation to or from NYC or the event.)

Entry Fee
Every submission must include a $25 entry fee (payable by credit card, check or money order). To enter, click on “Enter the Contest” below. Instructions for submitting your entry via postal service are provided in the Official Rules.

ENTER THE CONTEST

Deadline:
All submissions must be received by 5pm, March 15, 2013, Eastern Standard Time. To be specific, online submissions must be submitted by 5pm Eastern Standard Time. Mailed submissions must arrive with the day’s mail. (Entries postmarked on March 15 will NOT be accepted.)

About this year’s guest judge
Jim Shepard is the author of six novels and four story collections. His stories are published regularly in such magazines as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, McSweeney’s, Tin House, Zoetrope: All-Story, Playboy, and Vice. His most recent story collection is the multiple award-winning You Think That’s Bad.

Note
Contestants who submit online or provide their email address will be added to Gotham Writers’ Workshop’s and Selected Shorts’ email lists – please let us know if you do not wish to receive email about upcoming programs.

Frequently Asked Question – Official Rules

The Radiant Peace Education Awards – Fall 2012

All students in grades 1-8 — from public and private schools, home schools, youth and after-school groups, and abroad — are welcome to enter the Fall 2012 national program of The Radiant Peace Education Awards^®! The Radiant Peace Education Awards program gives students an opportunity to express themselves about Radiant Peace in their lives.

This year’s entries must be postmarked by December 11, 2012, with winners being announced in January 2013. All participants receive beautiful iron-on Radiant Peace Patches, and outstanding entries will also receive certificates and cash awards! Winner’s classrooms will also receive cash awards. In addition, many of the most creative or exceptional entries will be displayed in The International Museum of Radiant Peace.

Printable information is available here in PDF format: the complete packet of information (4 pages), which includes the contest guidelines, permission form and entry checklist; and the permission form and checklist only for submitting entries (2 pages). If you have any questions or need copies faxed or mailed, please contact the Foundation office.

The next contest program will be offered with an April 2013 postmark deadline. Materials will be posted online by January. If you are not already on the mailing list, please contact the Foundation office to ensure that you receive an announcement.

Visit the website: http://radiantpeace.org/trpea/invitation.html