Sharpen your pens for a new year of contests

So much stuff to write about for 2020 – writing classes, literary conferences, reading challenges – but most of all, writing contests! Here’s a sample, starting with the most urgent.

January 13: Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition is for writings of 1,500 words or fewer. Among the prizes – cash, a trip to New York City for the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, and an interview for a feature article in the WD magazine. Fees: first entry, $30, additional entries $25 each. 

January 15 – February 29: From the indefatigable contest source, Arthur Klepchukov comes a list of winter writing contests he promises are worth our time! Some deadlines have passed, but for those of us still shaking off the holiday grog, Klepchukov extends his list through February. See the site for various contests, prizes and fees.

Yerson Retamal for Pixabay

January 31: Book Pipeline’s Unpublished Contest. Book Pipeline has added new contests to its lineup, including this for unpublished manuscripts in the genres of YA  (young adult), science fiction/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary,  outsider/experimental and nonfiction. Cash prizes for winners plus possibilities for circulation to publishing professionals. I’ve received helpful feedback in the past from the Pipeline’s reviewers. Fee: $25. 

January 31: From New Pages comes The Screwturn  Supernatural Flash Fiction competition for stories up to 1,000 words. Cash prizes and anthology publication. Fee: $10. 

February 15: Also new to the Book Pipeline contest lineup is its Adaptation Contest. This one is for books, graphic novels and short stories previously published (including self-publication), and published or produced stage plays, suitable for adaptation to film or TV. Fee: $45. 

February 28: That’s the deadline for the current WOW! Women on Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction contest. 250-750 word limit. Fee: $10 (Or $20 for those who want a critique). This came from the genre-oriented site, Ralan.com. Follow the “contest” link for more options.

March 10: Yippee! The Writers’ League of Texas 2020 Manuscript Contest has a new and later deadline! Take a breather from earlier contests to polish manuscripts in a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres as well as middle grade and young adult manuscripts. Winners in each category receive free entry to the League’s June 26-28, 2020 Agents & Editors Conference (valued at $400) and a consultation with the literary agent who judged the category. Fee: $55 for WLT members, $65 for nonmembers (includes a written critique), $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers who choose to forego feedback. See the site for details.

Still crazy for contests? In addition to the sources already mentioned, try Reedsy and new-to-me site Published to Death by writer/PEN member Erica Verrillo.

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Still to come – classes to start or polish your writing craft, and of course, literary conferences.