As July comes to a close, consider submitting to the following contests in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Each contest offers an award of at least $1,000 and publication, and has a deadline of July 31.
Press 53 Award for Poetry: A prize of $1,500 and publication by Press 53 is given annually for a poetry collection. Tom Lombardo will judge. Entry fee: $30.
Masters Review Short Story Award for New Writers: A prize of $3,000 and publication in Masters Review is given twice yearly for a short story by a writer who has not published a novel (writers who have published story collections are eligible). The winning story will also be sent to agents Laura Biagi of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Victoria Marini of Gelfman Schneider/ICM Partners, and Amy Williams of the Williams Agency. The editors will judge. Entry fee: $20.
Munster Literature Centre Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Competition: A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,400) and publication in Southword, an online literary journal published in Cork, Ireland, is given annually for a short story. The winner also receives a weeklong residency at the Anam Cara Writer’s Retreat on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork. Entry fee: $18.
Journal of Experimental Fiction Kenneth Patchen Award: A prize of $1,000 and publication by Journal of Experimental Fiction/Depth Charge Publishing is given annually for an innovative novel. Jane L. Carman will judge. Entry fee: $25.
Red Hen Press Novella Award: A prize of $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press will be given annually for a novella. Kate Gale will judge. Entry fee: $25.
New Millennium Writings New Millennium Awards: Four prizes of $1,000 each and publication in New Millennium Writings and on the journal’s website are given twice yearly for a poem, a short story, a short short story, and an essay that have not appeared in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000. Entry fee: $20.
Visit the contest websites for complete guidelines, and check out the Grants & Awards database and Submission Calendar for more contests in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.