Genre: Creative Nonfiction

100-Word Writing Contest

Tadpole Press
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
November 30, 2024
A prize of $2,000 and publication on the Tadpole Press website and in Tadpole Press Literary Magazine is given biannually for a work of flash poetry or prose. Submit a work of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction of no more than 100 words with a $15 entry fee by November 30. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Desert Writers Award

Ellen Meloy Fund
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
January 15, 2025
A prize of $5,000 is given annually to enable a creative nonfiction writer “whose work reflects the spirit and passions for the desert embodied in Ellen Meloy’s writing” to spend creative time in a desert environment. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 10 pages of creative nonfiction, a project proposal, and a biographical statement of up to one page with a $15 entry fee by January 15, 2025. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Deborah Jackson Taffa in Conversation With Dean Rader

Caption: 

In this City Lights Live event, Deborah Jackson Taffa reads from and speaks about her debut memoir, Whiskey Tender (Harper, 2024), in a conversation with Dean Rader. Taffa is featured in “5 Over 50: 2024” in the November/December issue in Poets & Writers Magazine.

Jeanne Leiby Memorial Chapbook Award

Florida Review
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 7, 2025
A prize of $1,000, publication in Florida Review, and 50 author copies is given annually for a chapbook of short fiction, short nonfiction, or graphic narrative. Submit a manuscript of up to 45 pages with a $25 entry fee by January 7, 2025. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

McKnight Fellowships for Writers

Loft Literary Center
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
November 19, 2024
Four prizes of $25,000 each will be given annually to Minnesota poets, prose writers, and spoken word artists. Fellows will also receive an all-expenses-paid, one- or two-week residency in partnership with Artist Communities Alliance and have the opportunity to attend one-on-one career consultations, workshops, and networking events run by the nonprofit organization Springboard for the Arts. The prize will be offered in poetry/spoken word and prose in alternating years; the 2025 fellowships will be awarded to fiction and creative nonfiction writers. Writers who have been residents of Minnesota for the year prior to the deadline and who will reside in Minnesota for the duration of the fellowship are eligible; writers must also have published at least one book, have had work appear in several journals, or have been booked to perform their work. Using only the online submission system, submit 20 to 25 pages of prose by November 19. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Literature Awards

Friends of American Writers
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 14, 2024
A prize of $2,500 is given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published during the current year that is set in the Midwest or by a writer who is a resident of the Midwest (or who previously resided in the Midwest for at least five years). The prize may be split if more than one winner is selected. Writers who have published up to three books are eligible. Self-published books are not accepted. Authors or publishers may submit two copies of books published in 2024 with an author bio by December 14. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Memoir Prize

Narratively
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
December 19, 2024
A prize of $3,000 and publication in Narratively will be given annually for a short work of memoir written in the first person. Two runners-up prizes of $1,000 each and publication will also be awarded. Using only the online submission system, submit an essay of 2,000 to 7,000 words with a $20 entry fee by December 16. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Prose Prize

Georgia Review
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 15, 2025
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Georgia Review will be given annually for a short story or an essay. Allegra Hyde will judge. Submit a story or essay of up to 9,000 words with a $25 entry fee by January 15, 2025; mailed submissions must also include a cover page with contact information and a brief bio, a self-addressed envelope, and a check for the $25. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Prose & Poetry Chapbook Contest

Action, Spectacle
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
December 31, 2024
A prize of $1,000, publication by Action, Spectacle, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a chapbook of poetry, prose, or hybrid-genre work. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 20 to 32 pages with a $23 entry fee by December 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Stephen Mitchell Translation Prize

Green Linden Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 30, 2024
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction translated from any language into English. Christopher Nelson will judge. Submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages with a $25 entry fee by November 30. All finalists will be considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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