Contests

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In the 1990s, I created a database to track writing contests in chronological order and wrote the original bimonthly "Contests Column" published in The Christian Author, the official newsletter for the Northwest Christian Writers' Association, and later for the new e-zine, www.SpiritLedWriter.com.

The contests column, which ran bimonthly since 1992, is back. Bookmark this page and check back for updates. If you manage a resource site for writers, please mention "The Write Place - Contests Column by Kimn Swenson Gollnick" and place a link to this site. Send me an e-mail to let me know. Thanks!

NOTE: "Fee-free" contests are INDENTED for easier viewing.
Unless otherwise noted, dates are "postmarked by" deadlines.

June 27, 2009: SBSPW Poetry Contest, P.O. Box 30302, Santa Barbara CA 93130http://www.sbpoetryworkshop.com/SBSPW/Contest.html. "Send 3 copies of each poem with your name removed. Include a separate cover sheet listing titles or first lines of each submitted poem, your name, address, phone number, email address, and any other relevant contact information. Line limit for each poem is 45 lines." FEE: $12 for 3 poems entry. PRIZE: Covered tuition to SBSPW Workshop.

June 30, 2009: Southwest Writers International Quarterly Writing Competition: "The Best Hook", 3721 Morris St NE, Ste A, Albuquerque, NM 87111 (print name of category under your return address), 505-265-9485, http://southwestwriters.com/quarterlycontest.php. "Both fiction and non-fiction books and articles use a "hook" in the first paragraph or so to draw in the reader. Write the opening page of an article or book, using your best hook. The best ones to grab the judges will win the prizes below. Wind up your imagination and let 'er rip (one page max.)." FEE: $10. PRIZES: $150, $50, $25.

RECEIVED BY JUNE 30, 2009: Bridport Prize, P.O. Box 6910, DORSET, DT6 9BQ, Tel: 01308 428333, http://www.bridportprize.org.uk/. "Open to anyone, including non-UK applicants, over 16 years. Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must never have been published, self-published, published on any website or online forum, broadcast nor winning or placed in any other competition (as at [sic] 22nd November 2009). · To receive the judges' reports (winning entries only) and full results in November 2009 - enclose an A5 stamped addressed envelope marked 'RESULTS'." FEE: £6 per poem or £7 per story (no limit on entries). PRIZES IN EACH CATEGORY: 1st £5000, 2nd £1000, 3rd £500, plus 10 supplementary prizes of £50 each.

June 30, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "Thanks, Mom" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "We are looking for stories of thanks from “children” of all ages about their moms. These stories of innumerable joys and challenges will touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you and remind you that it doesn’t matter how old you are, the job of a parent never ends." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

June 30, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "Thanks, Dad" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "We are looking for stories of thanks from “children” of all ages about their dads. These stories of innumerable joys and challenges will touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you and remind you that it doesn’t matter how old you are, the job of a parent never ends." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

June 30, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "Not Really Retired" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "This book will share humorous and fun stories from those who are actively enjoying their "senior years!" Tell us about your new careers, your volunteer work, your sports, your travels, and those things you always wanted to do that you are finally doing." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

June 30, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "NASCAR" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "Everyone loves great stories about families working and playing together, grit and perseverance, and fast cars! We are collecting stories for the ultimate NASCAR book, coming out in February 2010, in time for the new season. We are excited to have well-known NASCAR columnist Cathy Elliott editing the book." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

June 30, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "All in the Family" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "These serious or hilarious, oh so true stories will touch your heart and make you see that even in the most difficult situations, other families are not all that different from your own. Share your stories with others who may realize we all have the same in-laws, siblings, parents, etc. Submit under your real name, but rest assured we expect most of you to use pen names for publication and change the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!)." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

June 30, 2009: Literal Latté Short Shorts Contest, 200 East 10th Street, Suite 240, New York, NY 10003, (212) 260-5532, http://www.literal-latte.com/contests/. "Send unpublished shorts. 2,000 words max. All styles welcome." FEE: $15. PRIZE: $500.

June 30, 2009: Glimmer Train Press FICTION OPEN Contest, 1211 NW Glisan Street, Suite 207, Portland, OR 97209, http://www.glimmertrain.com/fictionopen.html. "Open to all writers, all themes, so have at it! (We don't publish stories for children.) Please send your work via our new online submission procedure." FEE: $20. PRIZES: 1st place=$2,000, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue, 2nd place=$1,000, 3rd place=$600.

June 30, 2009: Open Chapbook Competition, Finishing Line Press, P.O. Box 1626, Georgetown, KY 40324, http://www.finishinglinepress.com/submissionguidelines.htm. "Submit up to 26 pages of poetry, PLUS bio, acknowledgments, SASE and cover letter." FEE: $15. PRIZES: $1,000 and publication. Website also states, "The top-ten finalists will be offered publication."

June 30, 2009: Miranda Anthology Call for Submissions, http://mirandamagazine.com/. "Our first anthology will be 'The Sea.' We are looking for poetry, creative non-fiction, fiction, essays, interviews, book reviews, and other writing where the ocean plays a significant role. Send in your work of 8,000 or less to us with the words “Sea Anthology” in the subject line to submission (at) mirandamagazine.com." FEE: $5. PRIZES: $35, $20, $10.

June 30, 2009: Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adults and Children’s Writing, Hunger Mountain, Vermont College of Fine Arts, 36 College Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, http://www.vermontcollege.edu/node/101. "Writers of Young Adult Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction, and Picture Books are encouraged to enter the Katherine Paterson Prize for YA and Children’s Writing. Newbery Award-winning author Katherine Paterson will judge." FEE: $20/entry. PRIZES: $1,000.00 and publication in Hunger Mountain online, and two honorable mentions will receive $100.00 each.

June 30, 2009: Open Chapbook Competition, Finishing Line Press, P.O. Box 1626, Georgetown, KY 40324, (859) 514-8966, Kevin Maines, Managing Editor, http://www.finishinglinepress.com/. "Submit 16 to 26 pages of poetry. All entries considered for publication." FEE: $15. PRIZES: $1,000 plus publication.

June 30, 2009: William Van Wert Fiction Award, Hidden River Arts, P.O. Box 421, Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004-0421, hiddenriverarts (at) gmail.com, http://www.hiddenriverarts.com/. "Award given annually for a short story or novel excerpt. Send a manuscript of up to 25 pages." FEE: $25. PRIZES: $1,000 and publication in Hidden River Anthology.

June 30, 2009: The Drue Heinz Literature Prize, University of Pittsburgh Press, 3400 Forbes Avenue, Eureka Building, Fifth Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, http://www.upress.pitt.edu/renderHtmlPage.aspx?srcHtml=htmlSourceFiles/drueheinz.htm. "The award is open to writers who have published a book-length collection of fiction or at least three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals. Eligible submissions include a manuscript of short stories; one or more novellas (a novella may comprise a maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages); or a combination of one or more novellas and short stories. Novellas are only accepted as part of a larger collection. Manuscripts may be no fewer than 150 and no more than 300 typed pages." FEE: NONE LISTED. PRIZE: $15,000 and "publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press under its standard contract."

OPENS JULY 1, 2009: 12TH ANNUAL ZOETROPE: ALL-STORY SHORT FICTION CONTEST, 916 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94133, 415.788.7500, http://www.all-story.com/contests.cgi. "The 2009 Short Fiction Contest opens July 1, 2009; for details, please visit the website this summer, or e-mail contests@all-story.com." FEE: NONE listed. PRIZES: $1,000, $500, $250.

July 1, 2009: A Cup of Comfort® for a Better World: Stories that celebrate generosity, compassion, and volunteerism, F+W Media, Inc., Consumer Books Direct, P.O. Box 5009, Iola, WI 54945, 1-800-258-0929, http://www.cupofcomfort.com/CallForSubmissions/. "Potential themes include (but are not limited to) charitable work, random acts of kindness, paying it forward, or lending a helping hand, a port in a storm, or a shoulder to lean on. Stories must be uplifting and personal, preferably narrative essays; we are not interested in journalistic articles or thinly disguised PR pieces for charitable organizations. Length: 1,000 to 2,000 words." FEE: NONE. Finalists notified by July 15, 2009.

July 1, 2009: 3rd Wordstock Short Fiction Competition, C/o Franklin, Beedle & Assoc., 8536 SW St Helens Dr., Suite D, Wilsonville, OR 97070, http://www.wordstockfestival.com/#/page_id=114&article=129/. "All short stories must be works of fiction written in English, original and unpublished (1,500 to 4,000 words max.)." FEE: $25/entry (includes copy of winning anthology). PRIZES: $1,000 plus publication in the October 2009 issue of Portland Monthly. "All 10 finalists’ stories will be published in the Wordstock Ten, an anthology every entrant will receive."

July 13, 2009: The Warren Adler Short Story Contest, "We will only accept stories submitted using our web form (see Pay Now button), no exceptions," http://www.warrenadler.com/contest09.shtml. "We are looking for original, imaginative pieces featuring compelling characters and creative plots. Whether you specialize in mainstream fiction, romance, horror, fantasy, science-fiction, satire, mystery, or any of their subcategories, we want to read your work (2,500 words max.)." FEE: $15. PRIZES: First Place = $1,000, People's Choice = $500, plus Finalists receive $150 each.

July 15, 2009: 2009 Thomas A. Wilhelmus Award, RopeWalk Press, University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN, 47712, http://www.usi.edu/RopeWalk/Wilhelmus%20Award.asp. "RopeWalk Press will award a prize of $1000 for a poetry chapbook written in English submitted under guidelines posted at website (35 pages max.)." FEE: $15. PRIZES: $1,000 plus publication.

July 15, 2009: Literal Latté Poetry Awards, 200 East 10th Street, Suite 240, New York, NY 10003, (212) 260-5532, http://www.literal-latte.com/contests/. "Send unpublished poems, 2,000 words max. All styles welcome." FEE: $10 for 6 poems OR $15 for 10 poems. PRIZES: $1,000, $300, $200.

July 15, 2009: Short Fiction Competition, http://www.creativewritingcorner.com/compete.php. "Only members of CWC can enter. Entries must be submitted electronically through the CWC website. You do NOT need to make your work visible to other site members to enter the contest. Length: 3,500 words max." FEE: $15. PRIZES: $500, $250, $100.

July 30, 2009: Writer's Journal Romance Contest, Val-Tech Media, P.O. Box 394, Perham, MN 56573, http://www.writersjournal.com/RomanceContest.htm. "Only original, previously unpublished stories accepted (2,000 words max.)." FEE: $7. PRIZES: $250, $100, $50, "plus publication of winning entries."

June 1 to July 31, 2009: The First Annual Robert & Adele Schiff Prose and Poetry Prizes, Schiff [Poetry or Prose] Prize, The Cincinnati Review, P.O. Box 210069 Cincinnati, OH 45221-0069, http://www.cincinnatireview.com/ (click on “BLOG” link). "The Cincinnati Review will award a single poem and a prose piece (fiction or creative nonfiction) with publication and a prize of $300 each. Writers may submit up to 8 pages of poetry or 6,000 words of prose, per entry. Previously published manuscripts, including works that have appeared online (in any form), will not be considered. There are no restrictions as to form, style, or content; all entries will be considered for publication." FEE: $15 (includes one copy of the Summer 2010 prize issue). PRIZES: $300 each for prose and poetry.

July 1, 2009: 2009 Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award, Department of English Faner Hall 2380 - Mail Code 4503 Southern Illinois University Carbondale 1000 Faner Drive Carbondale, IL 62901, http://craborchardreview.siuc.edu/firstpo.html. "A first book of poems will be selected for publication from an open competition of manuscripts POSTMARKED MAY 15, 2009 through JULY 1, 2009. Manuscripts should be 50-75 pages of original poetry, in English, by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has neither published, nor committed to publish, a volume of poetry 48 pages or more in length in an edition of over 500 copies (individual poems may have been previously published)." FEE: NONE listed. PRIZES: $2,500 and publication.

July 31, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "A Book of Miracles" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "Everyone has experienced extraordinary events in their lives that cause wonder and astonishment. Perhaps the only explanation is divine intervention. The true stories in this multi-faith book will awe you with examples of amazing coincidences and prove to you that miracles do happen every day." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

July 31, 2009: Glimmer Train Press Very Short Fiction Award, 1211 NW Glisan Street, Suite 207, Portland, OR 97209, http://www.glimmertrain.com/vershorficaw1.html. "We are interested in reading your original, unpublished very short stories! Please send your work via our new online submission procedure (3,000 words max.)." FEE: $15. PRIZES: 1st place=$1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue, 2nd place=$500, 3rd place=$300.

July 31, 2009: Spring 2009 Story Contest, http://narrativemagazine.com/node/56338. "Our spring 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." FEE: $20. PRIZES: First Prize = $3,250, Second Prize = $1,500, Third Prize = $750, and ten finalists will receive $100 each. "All entries will be considered for publication."

July 1, 2009: Tamarack Awards, Minnesota Monthly, 600 U.S. Trust Building, 730 S. Second Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55402, http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/Join-In/Tamarack-Award-Submissions/. "Open to residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Proof of eligibility will be required of the winning entrant. Must be an original, unpublished work of short fiction (4,000 words max.)." FEE: NONE. PRIZE: "The author of the winning manuscript will, upon signing Minnesota Monthly’s standard publication contract, be published in the November 2009 issue. Minnesota Public Radio will reserve the right to broadcast a reading of the winning story."

July 7, 2009: F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference Short-Story Competition, c/o Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue Rockville, MD 20850 Telephone: 301-309-9461, http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview. "Open to residents of Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. Submit unpublished short stories up to 3,000 words, any subject." FEE: $25. PRIZES: First prize: $1,000 and publication in The Potomac Review. Three runners-up also receive $200 each."

August 1, 2009: "First Line" Story Submissions, P.O. Box 250382, Plano, Texas 75025-0382, http://www.thefirstline.com/. "Submit stories using this first line, including quotation marks: “My life is a sham.” We prefer you send manuscripts via e-mail to submission (@) thefirstline (dot) com, but will also accept submissions via postal mail." FEE: NONE. PRIZE: $20 cash or subscription to The First Line Literary Journal (winner's choice).

August 1, 2009: 2009 MEMPHIS MAGAZINE FICTION CONTEST, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101, Marilyn Sadler at 521-9000, ext. 451, sadler@memphismagazine.com, http://www.memphismagazine.com/gyrobase/Magazine/Page?oid=21607. "We are seeking entries for our annual fiction contest. Authors must live within 150 miles of Memphis. Stories are NOT required to have a Memphis or Southern theme. Manuscripts may be previously published as long as previous publication was not in a national magazine with over 20,000 circulation or in a regional publication within Shelby County." FEE: $10. PRIZES: First Place = $1,000 and TWO Second Place = $500 each, plus publication.

August 1, 2009: MEMOIRS INK Annual Writing Contest, 10866 Washington Blvd, Suite 518, Culver City, CA 90232, http://www.memoirsink.com/writingcontestguidelines/. "Memoirs Ink is looking for original, well-written personal essays, memoirs, or stories that are based on autobiographical experiences. The narrative must be in first person, other that that, the contest is open to any type, genre or style of story. It is open to any writer, any age, writing in English--that means Canadians, Brits, Australians, Ugandans and anyone else anywhere can enter. Entry must be previously unpublished (this includes websites and blogs). Word Limit: 3,000 words." FEE: $17 for first entry, $10 for each additional ("Previous entrants and/or fans on Facebook get $2 discount on entry fee."). PRIZES: $1,000, $500, $250.

August 1, 2009: The Mississippi Review Poetry Series, 118 College Drive # 5144, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, 601.266.5600, http://www.mississippireview.com/. "New annual contest awarding three publication prizes for book-length poetry manuscripts. It is open to all poets working in English except current or former students or employees of Southern Miss." FEE: $25. PRIZES: Three $1,000 awards plus publication.

August 9, 2009: The HappenStance Short Story Competition, 2 Parkes Road, Torrington, Devon EX38 7NW UK, story@happenstancepress.com, http://www.happenstancepress.com. "International entries welcomed. Stories must be in English or Scots, maximum length 2500 words. No theme. Entrants my request a free critique of their entry (SAE required for postal entries). Judge 2009: Janice Galloway is one of Scotland's best-known, most versatile writers. Author of short story collections Blood and Where You Find It, she writes across a range of forms including novels, song cycles, plays, poetry - even an opera libretto." FEE: £5 ($7.5) per story, £6 ($9) online (includes free critique). PRIZES: $1st £150 ($223), 2nd £75 ($111), 3rd £50 ($74), plus publication in the 2009 anthology.

August 15, 2009: 4th Annual Inspirit Poetry Contest, c/o Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church, 228 Bridge St., New Cumberland, PA 17070, http://www.gbgm-umc.org/baughmanumc/. "Submit your best unpublished poem (limit 100 lines, no translations) exploring issues of Christianity, culture, faith, and/or nature." FEE: $15. PRIZES: $500 plus publication.

August 20, 2009: Writer's Journal "Write To Win!" Contest, Val-Tech Media, P.O. Box 394, Perham, MN 56573, http://www.writersjournal.com/WritetoWinContest.htm. "This is a great opportunity for those of you who want to write, but don't know what to write about. Stories must start with the starter phrase, may be dialogue—author's choice: Excuse me sir, could you...." FEE: $5. PRIZE: $150, Honorable Mentions: One-year subscription.

August 30, 2009: Writer's Journal Poetry Contest, Val-Tech Media, P.O. Box 394, Perham, MN 56573, http://www.writersjournal.com/PoetryContest.htm. "Each poem may be no longer than 25 lines. Entries must be typed on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, submitted in duplicate." FEE: $3. PRIZES: $50, $25, $15, "plus publication of winning entries."

August 31, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "Teacher Tales", http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "We have all had that one teacher who has made a difference in our lives. And teachers, remember that one student who made you know why you decided to be a teacher and who you will never forget? We are looking for stories from both teachers and students that will tell that unforgettable story." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

August 31, 2009: Glimmer Train Press SHORT STORY AWARD for NEW WRITERS Contest, 1211 NW Glisan Street, Suite 207, Portland, OR 97209, http://www.glimmertrain.com/shorawfornew2.html. "Open only to writers whose fiction has not been presented in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000. Entries, of course, must be unpublished. Please send your work via our new online submission procedure (12,000 words max.)." FEE: $15. PRIZES: 1st place=$1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue, 2nd place=$500, 3rd place=$300.

August 31, 2009: The 8th Annual Editor's Prize Best Poem Contest, MARGIE, P.O. Box 250, Chesterfield, MO, 63006, margiereview@aol.com, http://www.margiereview.com/CONTESTS/edprize09.html. "Submit 3 unpublished poems (60 line limit per poem)." FEE: $15 for 3 poems/$5 each additional. "A portion of each fee will be donated to Feed the Children." GRAND PRIZE: $1,000 plus publication.

August 31, 2009: The 2009 "AUNTIE ANN" Poetry Book Award Contest, MARGIE, P.O. Box 250, Chesterfield, MO, 63006, margiereview@aol.com, http://www.margiereview.com/CONTESTS/auntieann09.html. "Submit an unpublished book manuscript of between 48 - 64 pages of poetry. If applicable, include an "Acknowledgements Page" where poems first appeared. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Only submit copies as manuscripts will not be returned." FEE: $25. ("A portion of each fee will be donated to Feed the Children.") GRAND PRIZE: $1,000 for "Best Poetry Book" plus 100 Complimentary Author Copies. "All manuscripts will be considered for publication."

August 31, 2009: Second Annual Donald Barthelme Prize for Short Prose, Gulf Coast Journal, Department of English, University of HoustonHouston, TX 77204-3013, http://www.gulfcoastmag.org/index.php?n=7. "Submit up to 3 previously unpublished prose poems, short stories, or micro-essays, each no more than 500 words in length. Your name and address should appear on the cover letter only. All entries will be considered for publication, though only one will receive the prize. Include an SASE for results." FEE: $15 (includes one-year subscription to Gulf Coast). PRIZE: $500.

August 31, 2009: Family Circle Fiction Writing Contest , 375 Lexington Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017, http://www.parents.com/family-life/fitness/stress-relaxation/fiction-contest-winners/;jsessionid=0TOB150WHIHVNQFIBQNSCZQ?page=12. "Send an original fictional short story of no more than 2,500 words. Entries must be original, unpublished, and may not have won any prize or award. Up to two entries per individual will be accepted, but each entry must be a unique short story. Open to amateur writers who are legal residents of the 50 United States, or the District of Columbia, age 21 or older." FEE: NONE LISTED. PRIZES: $750 plus publication, and TWO runners-up will receive $250 each plus publication online. NOTE: Website states, "Entries become the property of Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa ("Sponsor") and will not be acknowledged or returned."

September 1, 2009: 2009 Flash Fiction Contest, Newport Review, P.O. Box 65, Warren, RI 02885, http://newportreview.org/?contests.html. "We are looking for works that are short in length but linger long in memory: small stories that pack a big emotional punch and make creative use of language. Open to all writers, published and unpublished, except writers who have close personal affiliations with Newport Review, its editorial staff or advisory board. Submit short-short stories up to 1,000 words." FEE: $7 per story, or $20 for 3 stories. PRIZES: $150, $100, $50.

Postmarked August 1 to September 30, 2009: The Iowa Short Fiction Award & the John Simmons Short Fiction Award, Iowa Writers’ Workshop, 507 North Clinton Street, 102 Dey House, Iowa City IA 52242-1000 (University of Iowa Press: 319-335-2000), http://uipress.uiowa.edu/authors/iowa-short-fiction.htm. "Any writer who has not previously published a volume of prose fiction is eligible to enter the competition. Previously entered manuscripts that have been revised may be resubmitted. The manuscript must be a collection of short stories in English of at least 150 word-processed, double-spaced pages. We do not accept e-mail submissions. Current University of Iowa students are not eligible." FEE: NONE. PRIZE: "Award-winning manuscripts will be published by the University of Iowa Press under the Press’s standard contract."

September 15, 2009: Literal Latté Essay Awards, 200 East 10th Street, Suite 240, New York, NY 10003, (212) 260-5532, http://www.literal-latte.com/contests/. "Send unpublished personal essays. 6,000 words max. All topics." FEE: $10 for one essay OR $15 for 2 essays. PRIZES: $1,000, $300, $200.

September 15, 2009: 2009 Robert Watson Literary Prizes , Jim Clark, Editor, The Greensboro Review, MFA Writing Program, 3302 HHRA Building, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, http://www.greensbororeview.org/contests/. "No previously published works, works accepted for publication, or simultaneous submissions are eligible. Poetry may be any length; maximum length for fiction is 7,500 words. Fiction manuscripts may be double-spaced." FEE: NONE listed. PRIZES: $500 each for poetry and fiction.

September 30, 2009: Southwest Writers International Quarterly Writing Competition: "Anything Goes Poetry", 3721 Morris St NE, Ste A, Albuquerque, NM 87111 (print name of category under your return address), 505-265-9485, http://southwestwriters.com/quarterlycontest.php. "Send us your poetry. Any style. Any meter. Any subject. Any spacing. Rhymed or unrhymed. Just fit it on one page. Contact information may go on either cover page or the page with the poetry." FEE: $10. PRIZES: $150, $50, $25.

September 30, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "Endurance Sports" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "Whether you are a triathlete, a duathlete, or you just love to swim, run, or cycle, we want to hear about your sports, your races, and how endurance sports fit into your life, whether you are an amateur, a student athlete, or a pro." Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

September 30, 2009: Chicken Soup for the Soul CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: "Dieting and Fitness" http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books. "Eat less - exercise more! We have all heard these simple words but, in reality, dieting and staying fit require a lot of work. Tell us about your commitment to health and fitness. What changes did you make in your eating habits? What kind of an exercise program did you follow that made the difference? Were you still able to treat yourself to that occasional delicious piece of chocolate cake and stay in shape? The true stories in this book will inspire you, make you laugh, touch your heart, and let you know that you can do it!" Read the guidelines and submit your stories online. FEE: NONE.

September 30, 2009: Glimmer Train Press FICTION OPEN Contest, 1211 NW Glisan Street, Suite 207, Portland, OR 97209, http://www.glimmertrain.com/fictionopen.html. "Open to all writers, all themes, so have at it! (We don't publish stories for children.) Please send your work via our new online submission procedure." FEE: $20. PRIZES: 1st place=$2,000, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue, 2nd place=$1,000, 3rd place=$600.

September 30, 2009: The Hackney Literary Awards, Birmingham-Southern College, Box 549066, Birmingham, AL 35254, http://www.bsc.edu/events/hackney/index.htm. "Open to writers nationwide." Read complete guidelines here (opens in a .PDF document). FEE: $15/entry. PRIZES: $5,000 for unpublished novel, plus $600, $400, $250.

September 30, 2009: The Scent of an Ending™ Contest, White Eagle Coffee Store Press, PO Box 383, Fox River Grove, IL 60021, http://thescentofanending.com/. "Submit the Title of an imaginary novel and the Final 25-125 Words." FEE: $6.37. PRIZES: 1st Place $89.93, 2nd Place $67.32, 3rd Place $31.18, "plus dubious fame and publication for winners and all finalists. Initial publication on website, then in print."

October 1, 2009: A Cup of Comfort® for Couples: Stories that celebrate what it means to be in love, F+W Media, Inc., Consumer Books Direct, P.O. Box 5009, Iola, WI 54945, 1-800-258-0929, http://www.cupofcomfort.com/CallForSubmissions/. "From celebrating special moments between you to overcoming bumps in your relationship. From experiences that brought you closer together to experiences that threatened to tear you apart. From endearing rituals to challenging changes. From sparkling new love to glorious golden love. Or any other topic that speaks to the joys, the challenges, and/or the nature of a romantic partnership that works for you. Narrative essays preferred. Length: 1,000 to 2,000 words." FEE: NONE. Finalists notified by October 15, 2009.

October 1, 2009: 2009 Springfield Writers' Guild 16th Annual Literary Awards, Dr. Jerry Wible, 2987 E. Kemmling Lane, Springfield, MO 65804, jwible@sbcglobal.net, http://www.swgsite.org/contests.html. Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction, plus nine other categories. FEE: $3 (some categories $2). PRIZES: Grand Prize winners of three categories will each receive $100. The top winners of the remaining nine categories will receive $20, $10, $5, and Honorable Mention. See website for complete details and guidelines.

October 1, 2009: 19th Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize in Fiction, Essay and Poetry Contest, Missouri Review Editors' Prize, 357 McReynolds Hall, UMC, Columbia, MO 65211, http://www.missourireview.com/contest/editors_prize.php. "Please include no more than 25 typed, double-spaced pages for fiction and nonfiction. Poetry entries can include any number of poems up to 10 pages. Each story or essay constitutes one entry." FEE: $20 (includes one-year subscription to TMR, either for you or someone you designate). PRIZES: $5,000 Fiction | $5,000 Poetry | $5,000 Essay.

October 1, 2009: Boston Review Short Story Contest, 35 Medford Street, Suite 302, Somerville, MA 02143, (617) 591-0505, http://www.bostonreview.net/contests.html. "Submit a story of up to 4,000 words and must be previously unpublished. Visit the Web site for complete guidelines." FEE: $20 entry fee, $30 for international entries (includes a one-year subscription to Boston Review.) PRIZES: $1,500 and publication in Boston Review.

October 2, 2009: Miami University Press Novella Contest, MU Press Novella Prize, English Department, 356 Bachelor Hall, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, http://www.orgs.muohio.edu/mupress/novella.html. "We are happy to present a rare venue for publishing individual novellas as stand-alone volumes. Submit manuscripts, 18,000–40,000 words, with two title pages: one with author’s name, address and phone number, one without. Author’s name must not appear elsewhere. Word count must be included on title page." FEE: $25 (each entrant receives copy of the winning volume). PRIZE: $1,000 plus publication.

October 5, 2009: Fellowships for Historical Research, American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1634, (508) 471-2131, http://www.americanantiquarian.org/artistfellowship.htm. "Applications for 2010 fellowships will be available in 2009. At least three fellowships are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers for monthlong residencies at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts, to research pre-twentieth-century American history and culture." FEE: NONE. PRIZES: See website for details.

LAST DAY OF EVERY MONTH, 2009: Memoirs Ink "What's Your Status?" Contest, 10866 Washington Blvd, Suite 518, Culver City, CA 90232, http://www.memoirsink.com/statuscontest/. "Memoirs Ink hosts a free mini-memoir competition inspired by some great lines we’ve seen on Gmail status, Facebook status, Twitter and others. The status line, while it can be a boring travelogue, is also a great form of mini memoiring—yes, we just made that word up. So email us your status and win cool prizes (150 characters max.)." FEE: NONE. PRIZE: "Publication and glory."