Writing contest roundup – spring into a new season

How long as it been since I posted about writing contests? Well, that’s too long! In the press of other business, I’ve let some of these nearly get away. So, get a move on – I’m listing this potpourri of spring contests in order of urgency.

Now-April 14: WRiTE CLUB. I've posted before about this fun, free and totally anonymous writing contest from the brain of MG/YA writer DL Hammons but the deadline is coming up. It's a readers' choice contest, pitting pairs of writers – their work, that is – against each other. Each writer submits a sample – 500-word maximum. Or two. Slushpile readers (like me!) pick 30 starting contestants who advance round by round until a panel of publishing pros determine the final winner, to be announced at the DFW Writers Conference June 22-23. All genres of fiction, memoir, and poetry included. See DL's site for how-tos. 

Also, note – WRiTE CLUB’s final official Twitter party will be held tonight (April 11) from 6-7 p.m. CDT. Hear what slush pile readers (including me!) have to say, including, possibly answers to your most burning questions.

Now-April 15: Book Pipeline Fiction Competition . This contest seeks new works with potential for TV and film adaptation. Open to published or unpublished books, graphic novels or comics, short stories, and plays. No genre restrictions and judging is weighted between concept originality, marketability, and overall talent. Prizes include $5,000 to the winner, $500 to the runner-up, long-term circulation and promotion to producers, and more. Fee: $35. See the site for details. 

artist: Frederick Remington

Now – April 30: Glimmer Train New Writer & Family Matters contests. These are the final contests for this great story magazine whose last issue comes out this fall. If you've always wanted to add publication in this family-run journal to your resume, time is running out. As always, the rewards are tempting – $2,500 for first place winners in each category, lesser cash or possibility of publication for second and third place winners. The New Writer contest is limited to emerging writers. Family Matters contest welcomes stories about families of all configurations. Word count in each contest is 400-12,000. Reading fee: $18. See the site for details. Stories will also be accepted for publication outside the contests through May 15.

Now – May 6: Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Contest. Lots of categories for short writing, including genre and literary fiction, memoirs/personal essays, articles, inspirational and poetry, theatrical and movie/TV scripts, and children’s/young adult fiction. Grand prize winner receives $5,000 cash plus promotional aids. First place winners in each category take home $1,000, second place winners $500. May 6 is the early-bird deadline, with discounted fees of $20 for first poetry entry ($15 for additional poetry entries), and $30 for first prose entry ($25 for additional prose entries). After May 6 through the final deadline June Final deadline: June 3, fees in each category increase by $5. 

Now – May 15: Raymond Carver Short Story Contest. The annual competition of Carve magazine (www.carvezine.com) seeks literary short stories (up to 10,000-word maximum). This year’s guest judge is prize-winning author Clair Fuller. The contest offers $2,500 in total prizes, publication in Carve’s October issue, and readings by three literary agents. Fee: $17/entry for online submissions, $15 for mailed submissions. 

Now – June 30: Bulwer Lytton Fiction Contest. And now for something completely different – a contest inspired by the notorious opening sentence of Victorian novelist George Edward Bulwer-Lytton, "It was a dark and stormy night. . ." and continuing for some 50 additional words and almost every conceivable punctual mark. No cost and virtually no prize except "bragging rights," the site proudly proclaims. Entries in a multitude of categories must be an original, previously unpublished single sentence of any length (although judges who beg for mercy strongly suggest not exceeding 50-60 words). See the site for additional rules, inspiring examples from past winners, and entry form.

June 6: #PitMad (https://pitchwars.org). The pitch party on Twitter where writers tweet 280-character pitches for their completed, polished but unpublished manuscripts to agents and editors. (Subsequent #PitMads on September 5 and December 5 this year).  

Still crazy for contests? As always, check out the listings in New Pages and Ralan.com, which may be perused at no cost.