Joining Short Story Contests

Make your Story a Winner by Avoiding Six Common Pitfalls

Great advice by Vickie Britton

Creative writing teachers, contest judges and editors are quick to spot certain warning signs that immediately peg an author as an amateur.

1. The Incredible Talking Dog

As a general rule, animals don’t talk or think. Dogs can bark, wag their tails, appear to understand. But nothing puts an editor or contest judge off more than a talking, thinking animal, be it a dog, a cat, or a duck. Unless you are writing a children’s story in which the animal is the main character, dogs and other animals should not have their say.

2. Overusing/Abusing Second Person and Present Tense

True, there have been successful literary works written in second person. But they are rare. This is because a story written in the “you” tense all the way through can get tiresome for the reader and, even for the seasoned author, is extremely difficult to master. It is also wise, if possible, to avoid the use of present tense in a short story unless there is a very valid reason for using it instead of past tense.

3. Over-Experimenting with Language

The Girl with the Tarantula Eyelashes—While an occasional, jarring image can be effective, most of a writer’s prose should blend in, not stand out. Using a big, complicated word in place of the right one only makes a writer appear stilted and pompous. Overdone metaphors and similes may amuse the judges, but they will not help win a contest. Some authors actually overuse descriptive words or phrases. If your character has cauliflower ears, it is wise not to give him a turnip nose and sausage lips.

4. Writing about Clichéd Subjects

Some topics, such what you did on your summer vacation, are of interest to only a small audience such as the writer and his or her immediate family. As a general rule no one wants to know how wise Grandpa was or how clever Aunt Clara. Unless the writer can find some way to make them universal, to represent “everyman’s” grandpa or aunt, the story will be of little interest to anyone who doesn’t know these people personally.

5. Using Writing as Psychotherapy

Many aspiring writers may turn to writing to purge grief, unhappiness, or anger. A person airing a personal grudge on paper is just as unpleasant hearing them rant in person. The evil boss who passed you up for promotion, that ratty ex-husband or girlfriend who dumped you, the co-workers who snubbed you at the annual Christmas party, are not in themselves stories.

The same applies to the death of a person or beloved pet, which is an all-around favorite theme for beginning writers. In fact, about one out of five contest entries will be about death. But what depresses the judges most is not the subject matter, but the fact that most of these true incidents are not developed into stories, but are only blow-by-blow accounts of suffering that is as painful to read as to write. Often, the writer is too close to the story to present it objectively. Unless the writer can find some way to bring these stories out of the ordinary, unless the author can impart some insight or universal truth worthy of being passed on to the rest of humanity, it is best to avoid writing about death.

6. Not Following Contest Rules:

If the contest has a theme, be sure the story you are sending is appropriate for that particular theme. Do not send a mystery to a science fiction contest, or a romance to a horror contest. No matter how good it is, it won’t win. They won’t bend the rules just for you. If a contest specifies a certain word length, such as 5,000 words, make sure your story conforms to that word length. It will be rejected if it is over the minimum requirements.

When writing a story for a contest, try to find a fresh idea, avoid clichéd subjects, and be sure to develop that incident into a story with a plot and resolution. Go over the content to make sure it flows without jarring words or phrases and that it fits into their guidelines for theme and word count. You will be well on the way to a winning entry.

GTWG CONTEST DIRECTORY

Have some fun with the GTWG mini contest...

The Writing Jar

Upcoming Writing Contests Across America

Know of an upcoming contest? Email us with the details!

NaNoWriMo:

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, as it's affectionately called by participants, was begun by Chris Baty in 1999, with the goal of getting writers to tackle a big project and of raising money for various causes. Over the years, it's grown from 21 participants and six "winners" to 101,510 participants and 15,333 winners. How do you win? Just write an entire novel from scratch (50,000 words) by midnight, November 30.

For a better idea of what a typical NaNoWriMo experience is like, check out scenes from past National Novel Writing Month events.

January Short Story Contests and Awards

Short Story Contest Deadlines

Some of the writing contests below are open to everyone. Others limit their contest to residents. GTWG has members across the globe so we have included resident only contest as well. GOOD LUCK!

Meridian Editors' Prizes -- January 7
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Meridian's Spring/Summer issue are given annually for an unpublished poem and short story. Submit online. $16.00 application fee includes subscription.
The Per Contra Prize -- January 8
$1,000 Grand Prize and publication in Per Contra for a story between 1,000 and 3,000 words. Winner will be announced in the March issue of Per Contra. Find complete guidelines and rules online. $10 entry fee.
- BkMk Press Ciardi/Chandra Prizes -- January 15
  Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication by BkMk Press are given annually for book-length collections. Submit a manuscript of short stories of 150 to 300 pages to BkMk Press, Ciardi/Chandra Prizes, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110-2499. (816) 235-2558. Ben Furnish, Managing Editor. $25.00 entry fee includes copy of winning book.
- Dobie Paisano Fellowships -- January 15
  A six-month residency with a $3,000/month stipend and a four-month residency with a $5,000/month stipend at a retreat west of Austin is given annually to a writer who is a native Texan, who has lived in Texas for at least three years, or who has written about Texas in his or her published work. Submit three copies of a manuscript no more than 50 pages in length to Dobie Paisano Project, The Graduate School, The University of Texas at Austin, #1 University Avenue, Mail Stop G0400, Austin, Texas 78712. $20.00 entry fee.
- Hurston/Wright Foundation Award for College Writers -- January 15
  A prize of $1,000 is given annually to recognize excellence in fiction writing by a student of African descent enrolled full time in a U.S. college or graduate school. Students who have published a book in any genre are not eligible. Submit two copies of an unpublished short story or novel excerpt of no more than 25 pages to The Hurston/Wright Awards, 6525 Belcrest Road, Suite 531, Hyattsville, MD 20782. $10 entry fee.
- Jentel Artist Residency Program Summer/Fall Residency -- January 15
  The Jentel Artist Residency Program offers dedicated individuals a supportive environment in which to further their creative development. Each artist and writer is offered a private accommodation, a work space, and a stipend. Download an application from their site, or write to: Admissions, Jentel Artist Residency Program, 130 Lower Piney Creek Road, Banner, WY 82832. $20.00 application fee.
- The MacDowell Colony, Summer Period -- January 15
  A two-page application form, a work sample, a project description, and one reference are needed to apply. For further information, please contact: The Admissions Coordinator, The MacDowell Colony, 100 High Street, Peterborough, NH 03458, 603-924-3886, admissions@macdowellcolony.org. $20.00 application fee.
- Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts Grants -- January 15
  The Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts annually awards grants of $5,000 each to writers and visual artists who live in the central and western counties of New York State for buying materials, preparing works for exhibit, or taking time to create new work. Grant guidelines and application form are available at the foundation's site.
- South Carolina Arts Commission South Carolina Fiction Project -- January 15
  This annual writing competition, sponsored by The Post and Courier and the South Carolina Arts Commission, calls for previously unpublished short stories of 2,500 words or less. Up to 12 short stories will be selected for publication; each writer whose work is selected will receive $500. Applicants must be 18 years of age and residing in South Carolina. South Carolina Arts Commission, South Carolina Fiction Project, 1800 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201. (803) 734-8694. Sara June Goldstein, Program Director. No entry fee.
- Bronx Council on the Arts BRIO Awards -- January 25
  A minimum of 20 BRIO grants of $3,000 each will be awarded to individual artists residing in the Bronx. Writers must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Winners must complete a one-time public service activity to receive their complete award. Submit five copies of up to 20 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction to Bronx Council on the Arts, BRIO Awards, 1738 Hone Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461. No entry fee.
- Charles Pick Fellowship in Creative Writing -- January 31
  A six-month fellowship at the University of East Anglia, including a £10,000 (approximately $17,500) stipend, is awarded annually to a fiction writer or creative nonfiction writer who has not yet published a book. Submit a writing sample of no more than 2,500 words and a letter of reference to University of East Anglia, Charles Pick Writing Fellowship, School of Literature and Creative Writing, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom. No entry fee.
- Chattahoochee Review Lamar York Prize for Nonfiction -- January 31
  A prize of $1,000 and publication in Chattahoochee Review is awarded annually for a creative essay. All entries will be considered for publication. Submit an essay of up to 5,000 words to Chattahoochee Review, Lamar York Prize, Georgia Perimeter College, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338-4497. $12.00 entry fee includes a one-year subscription.
- Dark Tales Winter Short Story Competition -- January 31
  First prize of £250 ($403 US), second prize of £50 ($80), and third prize of £25 ($40 US) for short stories of horror and speculative fiction of up to 5,000 words. All other shortlisted entrants receive £5 ($8), and all winning and shortlisted stories will published in Dark Tales (copyright retained by author). Previously unpublished entries can be uploaded online or mailed along with a sterling (UK) cheque payable to "Dark Tales" to Dark Tales Winter Competition, 7 Offley Street, Worcester WR3 8BH, UK. Entry fee £3 per story, or £5 per story if tick-sheet critique is desired.
- The Iowa Review Award -- January 31
  Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Iowa Review are given annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Send 25 pages of prose to: The Iowa Review, 308 EPB, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242. $15.00 entry fee.
- Ohioana Library Association Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant -- January 31
  A prize of $1,000 is given annually to an Ohio writer under 30 who has not published a book. Writers born in Ohio or who have lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years are eligible. Submit 10 to 60 pages of up to six works of fiction or creative nonfiction to Ohioana Library Association, Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant, 274 East First Avenue, Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43201. (614) 466-3831. Linda Hengst, Director. ohioana@sloma.state.oh.us No entry fee.
- Ohio State University Press Ohio State University Prize -- January 31
  A prize of $1,500 and publication by Ohio State University Press awarded annually for a collection of short fiction. Submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages of short stories, novellas, or a combination of the two to Ohio State University Press, Ohio State University Prize, 180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1002. $20.00 entry fee.
- Starcherone Books Fiction Prize -- January 31
  Offers $1000 and publication with Starcherone Books to story collections, novels, or indeterminate prose works of up to 400 pages. All finalists will be considered for publication with Starcherone Books. Please mail to: STARCHERONE FICTION PRIZE, Starcherone Books, P.O. Box 303, Buffalo, NY 14201-0303. Writers may also apply electronically. $30.00 entry fee.
- University of New Orleans Annual Writing Contest for Study Abroad in Europe -- January 31
  Each year, the University of New Orleans grants full fee waivers for either the Madrid Summer Seminars or the Writing Workshops in Montpellier to one writer each in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. The contest is open to anyone writing in English who has not yet published a book of 45 pages or more in the genre of application, except for University of New Orleans faculty and staff. See site for more info. Entry fee: $25.
- Virginia Commonwealth University First Novelist Award -- January 31
  A prize of $1,000 is given annually to honor a first novel published in the previous year. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Richmond with his or her editor, agent, or publicist to participate in the Virginia Commonwealth University First Novelist Forum, which is designed to highlight the journey a new writer assumes in his or her quest to contribute to the literary world. Publishers and authors submit three copies of novels published in previous year to Virginia Commonwealth University, First Novelist Award, Department of English, P.O. Box 842005, Richmond, VA 23284-2005.

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Amazon 2009 Breakthrough Novel Award

in conjunction with Penguin Group and Publishers Weekly...

Coffee House Fiction