As we move toward the fall, if you’ve been working on projects over the summer, you may want to consider polishing and submitting them to an upcoming contest. Here are a sampling of events with September deadlines from WritersMarket.com, which lists thousands of publishing opportunities:
The Connecticut River Review Poetry Contest: Prizes of $400, $100, and $50 are offered. To enter, send up to 3 unpublished poems, 80-line limit each. Include 2 copies of each poem, one with complete contact info on it and one with NO contact info on it. Include SASE for results only. A $15 reading fee is required. Make the check out to CPS. Send submissions to CRR Poetry Contest, PO Box 270554, W. Hartford, CT 06127. The deadline is September 30. Website: ctpoetry.net/events
The Iowa Short Fiction Award: Any writer who has not previously published a volume of prose fiction is eligible to enter the competition. The manuscript must be a collection of short stories in English of at least 150 word-processed, double-spaced pages. Previously entered manuscripts that have been revised may be resubmitted. Writers are still eligible if they have self-published a work in a small print run. Writers are still eligible if they are living abroad or are non-US citizens writing in English. The winner receives publication by the University of Iowa Press under the terms of a standard publishing contract. Deadline: September 30. For submission details, visit: uiowapress.org
Writer’s Digest Self-Published e-Book Awards: An annual prize for the best self-published e-book. Categories include: mainstream/literary fiction, genre fiction, nonfiction, inspirational, life stories, children’s picture books, middle-grade/young adult books, and poetry. There is one grand prize of $3,000 cash, featured interview in Writer’s Digest magazine, and other benefits. Each category winner also receives $1,000 cash, recognition in Writer’s Digest magazine, and other benefits! Final deadline: September 2.
Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards: An annual prize for the best previously unpublished genre fiction (up to 4,000 words). There are six categories: romance, thriller, young adult, crime, horror, and sci-fi. There is one grand prize of $2,500 cash, a trip to the 2015 Writer’s Digest Conference, and other benefits. Each category winner also receives $500 cash, recognition in Writer’s Digest magazine, and additional benefits. Early-bird deadline: September 15.
Write on!
