PRISM INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL SHORT FICTION CONTESTOn The Premises, LLC, 4323 Gingham Court, Alexandria VA 22310. E-mail: questions@onthepremises.com. Website: www.onthepremises.com. Contact: Tarl Roger Kudrick or Bethany Granger, co-publishers. On the Premises aims to promote newer and/or relatively unknown writers who can write creative, compelling stories told in effective, uncluttered and evocative prose. Each contest challenges writers to produce a great story based on a broad premise that the editors supply as part of the contest. Submissions are accepted only through web-based submissions system. Entries should be unpublished. Length: minimum 1,000 words; maximum 5,000. No name or contact info should be in ms. Writers may submit own work. Check website for details on the specific premise that writers should incorporate into their story. Results announced within 2 weeks of contest deadline. Winners notified via e-mail and with publication of On the Premises. Results made available to entrants on website and in publication. Deadline: Short story contests held twice a year; smaller mini-contests held four times a year; check website for exact dates. Prize: 1st Prize: $210; 2nd Prize: $160; 3rd Prize: $110; Honorable Mentions recieve $60. All prize winners are published in On the Premises magazine in HTML and PDF format. Judged by a panel of judges with professional editing and writing experience.
TIPS “Write something compelling, creative, and well-crafted. Above all, clearly use the contest premise.”
Eckhard Gerdes Publishing, 12 Simpson Street, Apt. D, Geneva IL 60134. E-mail: egerdes@experimentalfiction.com. Website: www.experimentalfiction.com. Contact: Eckhard Gerdes. This award will honor the most innovative novel submitted during the previous calendar year. Kenneth Patchen is celebrated for being among the greatest innovators of American fiction, incorporating strategies of concretism, asemic writing, digression, and verbal juxtaposition into his writing long before such strategies were popularized during the height of American postmodernist experimentation in the 1970s. See guidelines and application form online at website. Deadline: All submissions must be postmarked between January 1 and July 31. Prize: $1,000 and 20 complimentary copies. Judged by novelist James Chapman.
The Poetry Center at Passaic Community College, One College Blvd., Paterson NJ 07505. (973)684-6555. Fax: (973)523-6085. E-mail: mgillan@pccc.edu. Website: www.pccc.edu/poetry. Contact: Maria Mazziotti Gillan, executive director. Offered annually for a novel or collection of short fiction published the previous calendar year. For more information, visit the website or send SASE. Deadline: April 1. Prize: $1,000.
1140 Broadway, Suite 1507, New York NY 10001. (212)888-8171. Fax: (212)888-8107. E-mail: mwa@mysterywriters.org. Website: www.mysterywriters.org. Mystery Writers of America is the leading association for professional crime writers in the United States. Members of MWA include most major writers of crime fiction and non-fiction, as well as screenwriters, dramatists, editors, publishers, and other professionals in the field. Categories include: Best Novel, Best Frist Novel by an American Author, Best Paperback/E-Book Original, Best Fact Crime, Best Critical/Biographical, Best Short Story, Best Juvenile Mystery, Best Young Adult Myster, Best Television Series Episode Teleplay, and Mary Higgins Clark Award. Purpose of the award: Honor authors of distinguished works in the mystery field. Previously published submissions only. Submissions made by the author, author’s agent; “normally by the publisher.” Work must be published/produced the year of the contest. Deadline: November 30. Prize: Awards ceramic bust of “Edgar” for winner; scrolls for all nominees. Judged by professional members of Mystery Writers of America (writers).
Nimrod International Journal, The University of Tulsa, 800 S. Tucker Dr., Tulsa OK 74104. (918)631-3080. Fax: (918)631-3033. E-mail: nimrod@utulsa.edu. Website: www.utulsa.edu/nimrod. Contact: Eilis O’Neal. Submissions must be unpublished. Work must be in English or translated by original author. Author’s name must not appear on ms. Include cover sheet with title, author’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (author must have a US address by October of contest year to enter). Mark “Contest Entry” on submission envelop and cover sheet. Include SASE for results only; mss will not be returned. Guidelines available for #10 SASE or on website. 7,500-word maximum for short stories. Deadline: April 30. Prize: 1st Place: $2,000 and publication; 2nd Place: $1,000 and publication. Judged by the Nimrod editors, who select the finalists and a recognized author, who selects the winners.
Press 53, 560 N. Trade St., Suite 193, Winston-Salem NC 27101. E-mail: kevin@press53.com. Website: www.press53.com. Contact: Kevin Morgan Watson, publisher. Awarded to an outstanding, unpublished collection of short stories. Details and guidelines available online. Deadline: December 31. Submission period begins September 1. Finalists announced March 1. Winner announced on May 3. Publication in October. Prize: Publication of winning short story collection, $1,000 cash advance, travel expenses and lodging for a special reading and book signing in Winston-Salem, NC, attendance as special guest to the Press 53/Prime Number Magazine Gathering of Writers, and 10 copies of the book. Judged by publisher Kevin Morgan Watson and fiction editor Christine Norris.
PRISM INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL SHORT FICTION CONTESTCreative Writing Program, UBC, Buch. E462 - 1866 Main Mall, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1 Canada. (604)822-2514. Fax: (604)822-3616. Website: http://prismmagazine.ca/contests. Contact: Clara Kumagai, executive editor, promotions. Offered annually for unpublished work to award the best in contemporary fiction. Works of translation are eligible. Guidelines by SASE, by e-mail, or on website. Acquires first North American serial rights upon publication, and rights to publish online for promotional or archival purposes. Open to any writer except students and faculty in the Creative Writing Department at UBC, or people who have taken a creative writing course at UBC with the 2 years prior to the contest deadline. Deadline: January 23. Prize: 1st Place: $2,000; 1st Runner-up: $300; 2nd Runner-up: $200; winner is published.
THE ROGERS WRITERS' TRUST FICTION PRIZEThe Writers’ Trust of Canada, 460 Richmond St. W., Suite 600, Toronto ON M5V 1Y1 Canada. (416)504-8222. Fax: (416)504-9090. E-mail: info@writerstrust.com. Website: www.writerstrust.com. Contact: Amanda Hopkins. Awarded annually to the best novel or short story collection published within the previous year. Presented at the Writers’ Trust Awards event held in Toronto each fall. Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. Deadline: August. Prize: $25,000 and $2,500 to 4 finalists.
Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition Category, The Webhallow House, 1544 Sweetwood Dr., Broadmoor Village CA 94015-2029. E-mail: soulkeats@mail.com. Website: www.soulmakingcontest.us. Contact: Eileen Malone. Open annually to any writer. Send first chapter or the first 20 pages, whichever comes first. Include a 1-page synopsis indicating category at top of page. Identify with 3x5 card only. Deadline: November 30. Prize: 1st Place: $100; 2nd Place: $50; 3rd Place: $25.
1911 Cleveland St., Hollywood FL 33020. E-mail: screaminmamas@gmail.com. Website: www.screaminmamas.com/contests. Contact: Darlene Pistocchi, editor/managing director. This contest celebrates moms and the magical spirit of the holidays. If you had an opportunity to be anything you wanted to be, what would you be? Transport yourself! Become that character and write a short story around that character. Can be any genre. Length: 800-3,000 words. Open only to moms. Deadline: June 30. Prize: complementary subscription to magazine, plus publication.
P.O. Box 172873, Tampa FL 33672. E-mail: elephantrockbooksya@gmail.com. Website: elephantrockbooks.com/ya.html. Contact: Jotham Burrello and Amanda Hurley. Guidelines are available on the website: http://www.elephantrockbooks.com/about.html#submissions. “Elephant Rock Books’ teen imprint is looking for a great story to follow our critically acclaimed novel, The Carnival at Bray. We’re after quality stories with heart, guts, and a clear voice. We’re especially interested in the quirky, the hopeful, and the real. We are not particularly interested in genre fiction and prefer standalone novels, unless you’ve got the next Hunger Games. We seek writers who believe in the transformative power of a great story, so show us what you’ve got.” Deadline: July 1. Prize: $1,000 as an advance
E-mail: terry@storysouth.com. Website: www.storysouth.com. Contact: Terry Kennedy, editor. Annual award to honor and promote the best fiction published in online literary journals and magazines during the previous year. Anyone may nominate one story for the award. To be eligible for nomination, a story must be longer than 1,000 words. See website for details on how to nominate someone. Most literary prizes for short fiction have traditionally ignored web-published fiction. This award aims to show that world-class fiction is being published online and to promote to the larger reading and literary community. Deadline: August 15. Nominations of stories begins on March 15. Prize: Prize amounts subject to donation. Check website for details.
E-mail: editors@toasted-cheese.com. Website: www.toasted-cheese.com. Contact: Stephanie Lenz, editor. Contestants are to write a short story (following a specific theme) within 48 hours. Contests are held first weekend in spring (mystery) and first weekend in fall (sf/f). Word limit announced at the start of the contest. Contest-specific information is announced 48 hours before the contest submission deadline. Results announced in April and October. Winners notified by e-mail. List of winners on website. Entries must be unpublished. Open to any writer. Accepts inquiries by e-mail. Cover letter should include name, address, e-mail, word count and title. Information should be in the body of the e-mail. It will be removed before the judging begins. Prize: Amazon gift certificates and publication. Blind-judged by 2 Toasted Cheese editors. Each judge uses his or her own criteria to choose entries.
Sponsored by Oak Tree Press, 140 E. Palmer St., Taylorville IL 62568. E-mail: tl-contestadmin@oaktreebooks.com. Website: www.oaktreebooks.com. Annual contest for unpublished authors or authors shifting to a new genre. Accepts novels of all romance genres, from sweet to supernatural. Guidelines and entry forms are available for SASE. Deadline: July 31. Prize: Publication in both paper and e-book editions. Judged by publishing industry professionals who prescreen entries; publisher makes final selection.
6335 W. Northwest Hwy., #618, Dallas TX 75225. Website: www.texasinstituteofletters.org. Offered annually for work published January 1-December 31 for the best first book of fiction. Writers must have been born in Texas, have lived in the state for at least 2 consecutive years at some time, or the subject matter of the work should be associated with the state. Guidelines online. Deadline: normally first week in January; see website for specific date. Prize: $1,000.
Passages North, Department of English, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette MI 49855. (906)227-1203. Fax: (906)227-1096. E-mail: passages@nmu.edu. Website: www.passagesnorth.com. Contact: Jennifer Howard. Offered every 2 years to publish new voices in literary fiction (maximum 10,000 words). Guidelines for SASE or online. Submissions accepted online. Deadline: March 15. Submission period begins January 15. Prize: $1,000 and publication for winner; 2 honorable mentions also published; all entrants receive copy of Passages North.
Sycamore Review, Department of English, 500 Oval Dr., Purdue University, West Lafayette IN 47907. E-mail: sycamore@purdue.edu; sycamorefiction@purdue.edu. Website: www.sycamorereview.com/contest/. Contact: Kara Krewer, editor-in-chief. Annual contest for unpublished fiction. For each submission, send one story (limit 7,500 words). Ms pages should be numbered and should include the title of the piece. All stories must be previously unpublished. See website for more guidelines. Submit via online submissions manager. Deadline: April 1. Submissions period begins March 1. Prize: $1,000 and publication.
Washington Writers’ Publishing House, P.O. Box 15271, Washington DC 20003. E-mail: wwphpress@gmail.com. Website: www.washingtonwriters.org. Fiction writers living within 75 miles of the Capitol are invited to submit a ms of either a novel or a collection of short stories (no more than 350 pages, double-spaced). Author’s name should not appear on the manuscript. The title page of each copy should contain the title only. Provide name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and title on a separate cover sheet accompanying the submission. A separate page for acknowledgments may be included for stories or excerpts previously published in journals and anthologies. Send electronic copies to wwphpress@gmail.com or mail paper copies and/or reading fee (check to WWPH) with SASE to: Washington Writers’ Publishing House Fiction Prize, c/o Elisavietta Ritchie, P.O. Box 298, Broomes Island, MD 20615. Deadline: November 1. Submission period begins July 1. Prize: $1,000 and 50 copies of the book.
North Carolina Writers’ Network, Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize, Great Smokies Writing Program, Attn: Nancy Williams, CPO #1860, UNC, Asheville NC 28805. Website: www.ncwriters.org. The Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize honors internationally celebrated North Carolina novelist Thomas Wolfe. The prize is administered by Tommy Hays and the Great Smokies Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Competition is open to all writers, regardless of geographical location or prior publication. Submit 2 copies of an unpublished fiction ms (short story or self-contained novel excerpt) not to exceed 12 double-spaced, single-sided pages. Deadline: January 30. Submissions period begins December 1. Prize: $1,000 and potential publication in The Thomas Wolfe Review.
Bellingham Review, Mail Stop 9053, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225. (360)650-4863. E-mail: bellingham.review@wwu.edu. Website: www.bhreview.org. Contact: Brenda Miller, editor-in-chief; Kaitlyn Teer, managing editor. Offered annually for unpublished work. Guidelines available on website; online submissions only. Categories: novel exceprts and short stories. Entries must be unpublished. Length: 6,000 words or less per story or chapter. Open to any writer. Electronic submissions only. Enter submissions through Submittable, a link to which is available on the website. Winner announced in August and notified by e-mail. Deadline: March 15. Submissions period begins December 1. Prize: $1,000, plus publication and subscription.
P.O. Box 43, Mukilteo WA 98275. E-mail: sfexecsec@gmail.com. Website: www.worldfantasy.org. Contact: Peter Dennis Pautz, president. Offered annually for previously published work in several categories, including life achievement, novel, novella, short story, anthology, collection, artist, special award-pro and special award-nonpro. Works are recommended by attendees of current and previous 2 years’ conventions and a panel of judges. Entries must be previously published. Published submissions from previous calendar year. Word length: 10,000-40,000 for novella, 10,000 for short story. All fantasy is eligible, from supernatural horror to Tolkien-esque to sword and sorcery to the occult, and beyond. Cover letter should include name, address, phone, e-mail, word count, title, and publications where submission was previously published, submitted to the address above and the panel of judges when they appear on the website. Results announced November 1 at annual convention. For contest results, visit website. Guidelines available in December for SASE or on website. Awards to recognize excellence in fantasy literature worldwide. Deadline: June 1. Prize: Bust of H.P. Lovecraft. Judged by panel.
WOW! Women on Writing, P.O. Box 41104, Long Beach CA 90853. E-mail: contestinfo@wow-womenonwriting.com. Website: www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php. Contact: Angela Mackintosh, editor. Contest offered quarterly. “We are open to all themes and genres, although we do encourage writers to take a close look at our literary agent guest judge for the season if you are serious about winning.” Entries must be 250-750 words. Deadline: August 31, November 30, February 28, May 31. Prize: 1st place: $350 cash prize, $25 Amazon gift certificate, book from sponsor, story published on WOW! Women On Writing, interview on blog; 2nd place: $250 cash prize, $25 Amazon gift certificate, book our sponsor, story published on WOW! Women On Writing, interview on blog; 3rd place: $150 cash prize, $25 Amazon gift certificate, book from sponsor, story published on WOW! Women On Writing, interview on blog; 7 runners up: $25 Amazon gift certificate, book from sponsor, story published on WOW! Women on Writing, interview on blog; 10 honorable mentions: $20 gift certificate from Amazon, book our sponsor, story title and name published on WOW!Women On Writing.
Writer’s Digest, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash OH 45242. (715)445-4612; ext. 13430. E-mail: WritersDigestShortShortStoryCompetition@fwmedia.com. Website: www.writersdigest.com. Contact: Nicole Howard. Looking for fiction that’s bold, brilliant, and brief. Send your best in 1,500 words or fewer. All entries must be original, unpublished, and not submitted elsewhere at the time of submission. Writer’s Digest reserves one-time publication rights to the 1st-25th winning entries. Winners will be notified by Feb. 28. Early bird deadline: November 17. Final deadline: December 15. Prize: 1st Place: $3,000 and a trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference; 2nd Place: $1,500; 3rd Place: $500; 4th-10th Place: $100; 11th-25th Place: $50 gift certificate for writersdigestshop.com.
Zoetrope: All Story, Zoetrope: All-Story, Attn: Fiction Editor, 916 Kearny St., San Francisco CA 94133. (415)788-7500. E-mail: contests@all-story.com. Website: www.all-story.com. Annual short fiction contest. Considers submissions of short stories and one-act plays no longer than 7,000 words. Excerpts from larger works, screenplays, treatments, and poetry will be returned unread. For details, visit the website during the summer. Deadline: October 1. Submissions period begins July 1. Prize: 1st place: $1,000 and publication on website; 2nd place: $500; 3rd place: $250.
Zone 3, Austin Peay State University, P.O. Box 4565, Clarksville TN 37044. (931)221-7031. Fax: (931)221-7149. E-mail: wallacess@apsu.edu. Website: www.apsu.edu/zone3/contests. Contact: Susan Wallace, Managing Editor. Annual contest for unpublished fiction. Open to any fiction writer. Accepts entries online and via postal mail. Deadline: April 1. Prize: $250 and publication.
Farm Bureau Insurance, P.O. Box 30400, Lansing MI 48909. E-mail: lfedewa@fbinsmi.com. Website: www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com. Focuses on encouraging students to write about their personal Michigan heroes: someone they know personally who has encouraged them and inspired them to want to live better and achieve more. Open to Michigan eighth graders. Contest rules and entry form available on website. Encourages Michigan youth to explore their roles in America’s future. Deadline: November 18. Prize: $1,000, plaque, and medallion for top 10 winners.
The Writers’ Workshop of Asheville, NC, Memoirs Contest, 387 Beaucatcher Rd., Asheville NC 28805. Website: www.twwoa.org. Submit a memoir of 5,000 words or less. Multiple entries are accepted. All work must be unpublished. Pages should be paper claipped, with your name, address, phone and title of work on a cover sheet. Double-space and use 12-point font. Deadline: November 30. Prize: 1st Place: A 2 night stay at the Mountain Muse B&B and 50 pages line-edited and revised by editorial staff; 2nd Place: A 2 night stay at the B&B and 50 pages line-edited; 3rd Place: 25 pages line-edited. Up to 10 Honorable Mentions.
The Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 57044, Irvine CA 92619-7044. (949)222-6550. Fax: (949)222-6558. E-mail: info@aynrandnovels.com. Website: www.essaycontest.aynrandnovels.org. Offered annually to encourage analytical thinking and excellence in writing (600-1,200 word essay), and to expose students to the philosophic ideas of Ayn Rand. “For information contact your English teacher or guidance counselor or visit our website.” Open to 8th, 9th and 10th graders. See website for topics. Deadline: March 20. Prize: 1st Place: $2,000; 2nd Place (5): $500; 3rd Place (10): $200; Finalist (45): $50; Semifinalist (175): $30.
The Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 57044, Irvine CA 92619-7044. (949)222-6550, ext. 247. Fax: (949)222-6558. E-mail: info@aynrandnovels.com. Website: http://essaycontest.aynrandnovels.org. Offered annually to encourage analytical thinking and excellence in writing, and to expose students to the philosophic ideas of Ayn Rand. Open to 12th graders, college undergraduates, and graduate students. Essay length: 800-1,600 words. Essays are judged both on style and content. Guidelines and topics available on the website. The winning applicant will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged. Essay submissions are evaluated in a fair and unbiased four-round judging process. Judges are individually selected by the Ayn Rand Institute based on a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Ayn Rand’s works. Deadline: October 24. Prize: 1st Place: $10,000; 2nd Place (3 awards): $2,000; 3rd Place (5 awards): $1,000; Finalists (25 awards): $100; Semifinalists (50 awards): $50.
Columbia University, c/o Office of the University Librarian, 517 Butter Library, Mail Code 1101, 535 W. 114th St., New York NY 10027. (212)854-7309. Fax: (212)854-9099. Website: http://library.columbia.edu/about/awards/bancroft.html. Contact: Bancroft Prize Committee. The Bancroft Prizes are awarded annually by Columbia University in the City of New York. Two annual prizes are awarded to the authors of distinguished works in either or both of the following categories: American History (including biography) and Diplomacy. Awards are for books published in the previous year. Send 4 copies, 3 for the members of the jury on the award and 1 for the Libraries of Columbia University. Deadline: November 1. Prize: $10,000 for the winning entry in each category.
BRITISH CZECH AND SLOVAK ASSOCIATION WRITING COMPETITION24 Ferndale, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3NS England. E-mail: prize@bcsa.co.uk. Website: www.bcsa.co.uk/specials.html. Annual contest for original writing (entries should not exceed 2,000 words) in English on the links between Britain and the Czech/Slovak Republics, or describing society in transition in the Republics since 1989. Entries can be fact or fiction. Topics can include history, politics, the sciences, economics, the arts, or literature. Deadline: June 30. Winners announced in November. Prize: 1st Place: £300; 2nd Place: £100.
CANADIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION STUDENT ARTICLE CONTESTCanadian Library Association, 1150 Morrison Dr., Suite 400, Ottawa ON K2H 8S9 Canada. (613)232-9625, ext. 322. Fax: (613)563-9895. E-mail: info@cla.ca. Website: www.cla.ca. Contact: Marketing and Communications Manager. Offered annually to unpublished articles discussing, analyzing, or evaluating timely issues in librarianship or information science. Open to all students registered in or recently graduated from a Canadian library school, a library techniques program, or faculty of education library program. Submissions may be in English or French. Deadline: March 31. Prize: $200 and the winning article will be published in Feliciter, the magazine of the Canadian Library Association.
New Letters, University of Missouri-Kansas City, New Letters Awards for Writers, UMKC, University House, 5101 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City MO 64110-2499. (816)235-1168. Fax: (816)235-2611. E-mail: newletters@umkc.edu. Website: www.newletters.org. Contact: Ashley Kaine. Contest is offered annually for unpublished work to discover and reward emerging writers and to give experienced writers a place to try new genres. Acquires first North American serial rights. Open to any writer. Guidelines by SASE or online. Entries should not exceed 8,000 words. Deadline: May 18. Prize: 1st Place: $1,500 and publication in a volume of New Letters; runner-up will receive a copy of a recent book of poetry or fiction courtesy of BkMk Press. All entries will receive consideration for publication in future editions of New Letters.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Awarded in odd-numbered years for a distinguished collection of letters. At least 1 volume of the edition must have been published during the previous 2 years. Editors need not be members of the MLA. Under the terms of the award, the winning collection will be one that provides readers with a clear, accurate, and readable text; necessary background information; and succinct and eloquent introductory material and annotations. The edited collection should be in itself a work of literature. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
THE SHAUGHNESSY COHEN PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITINGThe Writers’ Trust of Canada, 460 Richmond St. W., Suite 600, Toronto ON M5V 1Y1 Canada. (416)504-8222. Fax: (416)504-9090. E-mail: info@writerstrust.com. Website: www.writerstrust.com. Contact: Amanda Hopkins. Awarded annually for a nonfiction book of outstanding literary merit that enlarges understanding of contemporary Canadian political and social issues. Presented at the Politics & the Pen event each spring in Ottawa. Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. Prize: $25,000 and $2,500 to 4 finalists.
The Texas Institute of Letters, P.O. Box 609, Round Rock TX 78680. E-mail: tilsecretary@yahoo.com. Website: http://texasinstituteofletters.org/. Offered annually for work published January 1-December 31 of the previous year to recognize the best nonfiction book by a writer who was born in Texas, who has lived in the state for at least 2 consecutive years at one point, or a writer whose work has some notable connection with Texas. See website for guidelines and instructions on submitting. Deadline: January 10. Prize: $5,000.
THE LELA COMMON AWARD FOR CANADIAN HISTORY6 West St. N, Suite 203, Orillia ON L3V 5B8 Canada. (705)325-3926. E-mail: admin@canadianauthors.org. Website: www.canadianauthors.org. Contact: Anita Purcell, executive director. Offered annually for a work of historical nonfiction on a Canadian topic by a Canadian author. Entry form required. Obtain entry form from contact name or download from website. Deadline: January 15. Prize: $2,000 and a silver medal. The CAA Awards Chair appoints a trustee for this award. That trustee selects two judges. The identities of the trustee and judges are confidential throughout the judging process. Decisions of the trustee and judges are final, and they may choose not to award a prize. A shortlist of the best three entries in each category is announced in June. The winners are announced at the gala awards banquet during the annual CanWrite! conference in June.
CONNELL GUIDES ESSAY PRIZE0207-633-3791. Website: www.connellguides.com. Essay competition. Write about which novel, play, or poem has made an impact on you, and why you find it interesting and enjoyable. Essay should combine insight, originality, and clarity. Address chosen subject with argumentative energy, showing why it has made an impact on you. Essays need to show logic in the way they are structured and precision in their choice of words. Take an original point of view, make intelligent use of evidence found in and around chose text(s). Where appropriate, reference the history and culture surrounding the text(s) to support points. Essays should be between 1,200-1,500 words. Deadline: January 26. Winners announced on March 2. Prize: £500. Two runners up will receive a complete set of Connell Guides. Judged by Philip Pullman in 2014.
Zone 3, Austin Peay State University, Austin Peay State University, PO Box 4565, Clarksville TN 37044. (931)221-7031. Fax: (931)221-7149. E-mail: wrighta@apsu.edu@aspu.edu; wallacess@apsu.edu. Website: www.apsu.edu/zone3/contests. Contact: Amy Wright, acquisitions editor; Susan Wallace, managing editor. This competition is open to all authors writing original works in English. Mss that embrace creative nonfiction’s potential by combining lyric exposition, researched reflection, travel dialogues, or creative criticism are encouraged. Memoir, personal narrative, essay collections, and literary nonfiction are also invited. Submit one copy of your ms, 150-300 pages. Accepts entries via postal mail or online. Separate instructions for both, see website for guidelines and details. Deadline: April 1. Prize: $1,000 and publication.
CREATIVE NONFICTION CONTESTPRISM International, Creative Writing Program, UBC, Buch E462--1866 Main Mall, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1 Canada. E-mail: promotions@prismmagazine.ca. Website: www.prismmagazine.ca. Offered annually for published and unpublished writers to promote and reward excellence in literary creative nonfiction. PRISM buys first North American serial rights upon publication. Also buys limited web rights for pieces selected for the website. Open to anyone except students and faculty of the Creative Writing Program at UBC or people who have taken a creative writing course at UBC in the 2 years prior to contest deadline. All entrants receive a 1-year subscription to PRISM. Entries are accepted via Submittable at http://prisminternational.submittable.com/submit or by mail. Deadline: November 21. Prize: $2,000 grand prize, $300 runner-up, and $200 second runner-up.
Department of English, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210067, Tucson AZ 85721-0067. E-mail: nmp@thediagram.com; editor@thediagram.com. Website: www.thediagram.com/contest.html. Contact: Ander Monson, editor. Contest for essays up to 10,000 words. Deadline: End of November. Check website for more details. Prize: $1,000 and publication. Finalist essay also published. Judged by editors Ander Monson and Nicole Walker.
Bellingham Review, Mail Stop 9053, 516 High St., Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225. (360)650-4863. E-mail: bellingham.review@wwu.edu. Website: www.bhreview.org. Contact: Brenda Miller, editor-in-chief; Kaitlyn Teer, managing editor. Offered annually for unpublished essays on any subject and in any style. Guidelines available online. Deadline: March 15. Submission period begins December 1. Prize: $1,000, plus publication and copies. All finalists considered for publication. All entrants receive subscription.
TIPS “The Bellingham Review seeks literature of palpable quality: poems, stories, and essays so beguiling they invite us to come closer, look deeper, touch, sniff and taste their essence. We hunger for a kind of writing that nudges the limits of form or executes traditional forms exquisitely.”
American Orchid Society, Inc., American Orchid Society at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables FL 33156. (305)740-2010. Fax: (305)740-2011. E-mail: theaos@aos.org. E-mail: rmchatton@aos.org. Website: www.aos.org. Contact: Ron McHatton. The Gordon W. Dillon\Richard C. Peterson Memorial Essay Prize is an annual writing competition. Open to amateur and professional writers. The theme is announced each May in Orchids magazine. All themes deal with an aspect of orchids. Acquires one-time rights. The essay must be an original, unpublished article. Submissions must be no more than 5,000 words in length. Submissions will be judged without knowledge of the identity of the author. Established to honor the memory of two former editors of the AOS Bulletin (now Orchids). Deadline: November 30. Prize: Cash prize and a certificate. Winning entry usually published in the June issue of Orchids magazine.
THE DONNER PRIZEThe Award for Best Book on Public Policy by a Canadian, The Donner Canadian Foundation, 400 Logan Ave., Toronto ON M4M 2N9 Canada. (416)368-8253. E-mail: sherry@naylorandassociates.com. Website: www.donnerbookprize.com. Contact: Sherry Naylor. Annual award that rewards excellence and innovation in public policy writing by Canadians. Deadline: November 30. Prize: Winning book receives $50,000; shortlisted titles get $7,500 each.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, P.O. Box 1589, Austin TX 78767-1589. (888)762-4685. Fax: (512)478-3961. Website: www.dkg.org. Contact: Carolyn Pittman, chair. Offered annually for quality research and nonfiction published January-December of previous year. This award recognizes educational research and writings of female authors whose work may influence the direction of thought and action necessary to meet the needs of today’s complex society. The book must be written by 1 or 2 women who are citizens of any country in which The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is organized: Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Iceland, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Puerto Rico, Sweden, US, Panama. Guidelines (required) for SASE. The Educators Award Committee is charged with the responsibility of selecting an appropriate book as winner of the annual Educator’s Award. Committee members read and evaluate books submitted by publishers that meet the criteria of having been written by women and whose content may influence the direction of thought and action necessary to meet the needs of today’s complex society; furthermore, the content must be of more than local interest with relationship, direct or implied, to education everywhere. Deadline: February 1. Prize: $2,500. Judged by Educators Award Committee.
Mountain West Center for Regional Studies, Room 339, Old Main, 0735 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan UT 84322-0735. (435)797-0299. Fax: (435)797-1092. E-mail: mwc@usu.edu. Website: http://mountainwest.usu.edu/evans.aspx. Contact: Patricia Lambert, director. The Evans Biography and Handcart Awards encourage the best in research and writing about the Interior West through the giving of two annual prizes for excellence in biography. The Evans Biography Award is given to the best biography of a person who lived a significant portion of his or her life in the Interior West, or, in the words of the awards’ founders, “Mormon Country”—that region historically influenced by Mormon institutions and social practices. The Evans Handcart Award is given to a biography addressing similar subjects as the Evans Biography Award, but often by an emerging author or written as a family history. Send 6 copies of the book and one copy of the author’s resume. See website for details. Deadline: January 1 for books published in the previous calendar year. Prize: $10,000 for the Evans Biography Award; and $2,500 for the Evans Handcart Award. Judged by a local jury of five scholars and book experts.
EVENT CREATIVE NONFICTION CONTESTEVENT, Poetry and Prose., P.O. Box 2503, New Westminster BC V3L 5B2 Canada. (604)527-5293. Fax: (604)527-5095. E-mail: event@douglascollege.ca. Website: www.eventmagazine.ca. Offered annually for unpublished creative nonfiction. Maximum length: 5,000 words. Acquires first North American serial print rights and limited non-exclusive digital rights for the winning entries. Open to any writer, except Douglas College employees and students. Previously published material, including that which has appeared online or has been accepted for publication elsewhere, cannot be considered. No simultaneous submissions. The writer should not be identified on the entry. Include separate cover sheet with name, address, phone number/email, and title(s). Enter online or send to address above. Multiple entries are allowed; however, each entry must be accompanied by its own entry fee. Pay online or make check or international money order payable to EVENT. Deadline: April 15. Prize: $1,500 in prizes, plus publication in EVENT. Judges reserve the right to award 2 or 3 prizes: 3 at $500 or 2 at $750, plus publication payment.
International Reading Association, Division of Research & Policy, P.O. Box 8139, Newark DE 19714-8139. (302)731-1600, ext. 423. Fax: (302)731-1057. E-mail: research@reading.org. Website: www.reading.org. Contact: Marcella Moore. This is an award for an exemplary work published in English in a refereed journal that reports on an empirical study investigating aspects of literacy acquisition, such as phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle, bilingualism, or cross-cultural studies of beginning reading. Articles may be submitted for consideration by researchers, authors, et al. Copies of the applications and guidelines can be downloaded in PDF format from the website. Deadline: September 1. Prize: $500 award and recognition at the International Reading Association’s annual convention.
Crab Orchard Review, Department of English, Faner Hall 2380 - Mail Code 4503, 1000 Faner Drive, Carbondale IL 62901. E-mail: jtribble@siu.edu. Website: www.craborchardreview.siu.edu. Contact: Jon C. Tribble, managing editor. Offered annually for excellence in the writing of creative nonfiction. Not a prize for academic essays. Crab Orchard Review acquires first North American serial rights to submitted works. Open to US citizens only. See website for guidelines and details. Deadline: April 21. Submission period begins February 21. Prize: $2,000 and publication. Finalists are each offered $500 and publication.
International Reading Association, P.O. Box 8139, Newark DE 19714-8139. (302)731-1600, ext. 423; (800)336-7323. Fax: (302)731-1057. E-mail: research@reading.org. Website: www.reading.org. Contact: Marcella Moore. The IRA Albert J. Harris Award is given for a recently published journal article or monograph that makes an outstanding contribution to our understanding of prevention or assessment of reading or learning disabilities. Publications may be submitted by the author or anyone else. Copies may be duplicated from the actual publication; reprints are also acceptable. Nomination for the IRA Albert J. Harris Award is open to all literacy professionals. Deadline: September 1. Prize: Monetary award and recognition at the International Reading Association’s annual convention.
The New Netherland Institute, Cultural Education Center, Room 10D45, 222 Madison Ave., Albany NY 12230. Fax: (518)473-0472. E-mail: nyslfnn@nysed.gov. Website: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org. Given annually to the best book or book-length ms relating to any aspect of New Netherland and its legacy. Two categories of submissions will be considered in alternate years: (1) recently completed dissertations and unpublished book-length manuscripts, and (2) recently published books. If there is no suitable winner in the designated category in any particular year, submissions from the alternate category will be considered. In addition, submissions from previous years will be reconsidered for the Award. Entries must be based on research completed or published within three years prior to the deadline for submission. Entries may deal with any aspect of New Netherland and its legacy. Biographies of individuals whose careers illuminate aspects of the history of New Netherland and its legacy are eligible, as are manuscripts dealing with literature and the arts, provided that the methodology is historical. Deadline: February 1. Prize: $5,000 and a framed print of a painting by L.F. Tantillo. Judged by a 5-member panel of scholars.
Passages North, Department of English, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette MI 49855. (906) 227-1203. Fax: (906) 227-1096. Website: www.passagesnorth.com. Contact: Kate Myers Hanson, acquisitions. Contest for nonfiction, held biennially. Passages North also offers poetry and fiction contests. Send SASE for announcement of winners. Author’s name may appear anywhere on ms or cover letter. Manuscripts will not be returned. All entrants receive a contest issue. Honorable mentions will also be chosen for each contest and may or may not be published according to the needs of the editors. Deadline: February 15. Prize: $1,000 1st Place prize and publication.
Vermont College, 36 College St., Montpelier VT 05602. (802)828-8517. E-mail: hungermtn@vcfa.edu. Website: www.hungermtn.org. Contact: Miciah Bay Gault, editor. Annual contest for the best writing in creative nonfiction. Submit essays under 10,000 words. Guidelines available on website. Accepts entries online or via mail. Deadline: September 10. Prize: $1,000 and publication. Two honorable mentions receive $100 each.
International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Rd., P.O. Box 8139, Newark DE 19714-8139. (302)731-1600. Fax: (302)731-1057. E-mail: research@reading.org. Website: www.reading.org. Contact: Marcella Moore, project manager. Dissertations in reading or related fields are eligible for the competition. Studies using any research approach (ethnographic, experimental, historical, survey, etc.) are encouraged. Each study is assessed in the light of this approach, the scholarly qualification of its report, and its significant contributions to knowledge within the reading field. The application process is open to those who have completed dissertations in any aspect of the field of reading or literacy between May 15 and May 14 of the calendar year. A routine check is made with the home university of the applicant to protect all applicants, their universities, and the International Reading Association from false claims. Studies may use any research approach (ethnographic, experimental, historical, survey, etc.). Each study will be assessed in light of its approach, its scholarship, and its significant contributions to knowledge within the reading/literacy field. Deadline: January 15. Prize: $1,000.
Soul Making Keats Literary Competition, The Webhallow House, 1544 Sweetwood Dr., Broadmoor Village CA 94015-2029. E-mail: SoulKeats@mail.com. Website: www.soulmakingcontest.us. Contact: Eileen Malone. Call for thoughtful writings of up to 3,000 words. “No preaching, no proselytizing.” Open annually to any writer. Previously published material is accepted. Indicate category on cover page and on identifying 3x5 card. Up to 3,000 words, double-spaced. See website for more details. Deadline: November 30. Prize: 1st Place: $100; 2nd Place $50; 3rd Place $25.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered annually for an outstanding book published in English or Spanish in the field of Latin American and Spanish literatures and cultures. Competing books should be broadly interpretive works that enhance understanding of the interrelations among literature, the other arts, and society. Books must have been published in the previous year. Authors need not be members of the MLA. Must send 6 copies of book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition, The Webhallow House, 1544 Sweetwood Dr., Broadmoor Village CA 94015-2029. E-mail: SoulKeats@mail.com. Website: www.soulmakingcontest.us. Contact: Eileen Malone. Creative nonfiction is the child of fiction and journalism. Unlike fiction, the characters and events are real, not imagined. Unlike journalism, the writer is part of the story she tells, if not as a participant then as a thoughtful observer. Must be typed, page numbered, and double-spaced. Each entry up to 3,000 words. Identify only with 3x5 card. Open annually to any writer. Deadline: November 30. Prize: First Place: $100; Second Place: $50; Third Place: $25.
TIPS “Looking for a strong voice, a solid sense of the story, and a clear sense of one’s writing style. One last note: think about the STORY you are trying to tell and don’t be a slave to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but. This is art, not sworn testimony!”
Gettysburg College and Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, 300 N. Washington St., Campus Box 435, Gettysburg PA 17325. (717)337-8255. Fax: (717)337-6596. E-mail: lincolnprize@gettysburg.edu. Website: www.gilderlehrman.org. The Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize, sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute and Gettysburg College, is awarded annually for the finest scholarly work in English on Abraham Lincoln or the American Civil War era. Send 7 copies of the nominated work. Deadline: November 1. Prize: $50,000.
TIPS “This contest is for adults writers only.”
Literal Latté, 200 E. 10th St., Suite 240, New York NY 10003. (212)260-5532. E-mail: litlatte@aol.com. Website: www.literal-latte.com. Contact: Jenine Gordon Bockman. Open to any writer. Send previously unpublished personal essays, 10,000 words max. All topics accepted. Include email address for reply. Acquires first rights. Visit website for guidelines and tastes. Deadline: September 30. Prize: 1st Place: $1,000; 2nd Place: $300; 3rd Place: $200. Judged by the editors.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. For an outstanding literary or linguistic study, a critical edition of an important work, or a critical biography. Open to studies dealing with literary theory, media, cultural history, or interdisciplinary topics. Books must be published in the previous year. Authors must be current members of the MLA. Send 6 copies of the book. Deadline: March 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
c/o Margolis & Bloom, LLP, 535 Boylston St., 8th Floor, Boston MA 02116. (617)267-9700, ext. 517. Fax: (617)267-3166. E-mail: hsm@margolis.com. E-mail: award@margolis.com. Website: www.margolis.com/award. Contact: Harry S. Margolis. Sponsored by the Blue Mountain Center, this annual award is given to a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humor, wisdom, and concern with social justice. Applicants should be aware that this award is for nonfiction reporting and commentary, not for creative nonfiction, fiction, or poetry. Applications should include at least 2 examples of your work (published or unpublished, 30 pages maximum) and a short biographical note including a description of your current and anticipated work. Also please indicate what you will work on while attending the Blue Mountain residency. Please send to award@margolis.com. Deadline: July 1. Prize: $5,000, plus a one0month residency at the Blue Mountain Center.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered in even-numbered years for an outstanding scholarly work on any phase of Italian literature or comparative literature involving Italian. Books must have been published in the previous year. Authors must be members of the MLA. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered in odd-numbered years for a publication from the previous year in the field of language, culture, literacy, or literature with a strong application to the teaching of languages other than English. Author need not be a member of the MLA. Books must have been published in the previous 2 years. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award, and a certificate, to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January, and a year’s membership in the MLA.
The Society for the Study of Social Problems, 901 McClung Tower, University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN 37996-0490. (865)689-1531. Fax: (865)689-1534. E-mail: mkoontz3@utk.edu. Website: www.sssp1.org. Contact: Michele Smith Koontz, Administrative Officer and Meeting Manager. Offered annually for a book published the previous year that most effectively critically addresses an issue of contemporary public importance; brings to the topic a fresh, imaginative perspective; advances social scientific understanding of the topic; displays a theoretically informed view and empirical orientation; evinces quality in style of writing; and explicitly or implicitly contains implications for courses of action. Self-nominations are acceptable. Edited volumes, textbooks, fiction, and self-published works are not eligible. Deadline: December 15. Prize: $500 stipend.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered in even-numbered years for an outstanding enumerative or descriptive bibliography, archive, or digital project. Open to any writer or publisher. At least 1 volume must have been published in the previous 2 years. Editors need not be members of the MLA. Criteria for determining excellence include evidence of analytical rigor, meticulous scholarship, intellectual creativity, and subject range and depth. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash prize and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered annually for the first book-length scholarly publication by a current member of the association. To qualify, a book must be a literary or linguistic study, a critical edition of an important work, or a critical biography. Studies dealing with literary theory, media, cultural history, and interdisciplinary topics are eligible; books that are primarily translations will not be considered. See listing for James Russell Lowe Prize—prize offered for same criteria. Deadline: April 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Offered in odd-numbered years for an outstanding scholarly edition. Editions may be in single or multiple volumes. At least one volume must have been published in the 2 years prior to the award deadline. Editors need not be members of the MLA. To qualify for the award, an edition should be based on an examination of all available relevant textual sources; the source texts and the edited text’s deviations from them should be fully described; the edition should employ editorial principles appropriate to the materials edited, and those principles should be clearly articulated in the volume; the text should be accompanied by appropriate textual and other historical contextual information; the edition should exhibit the highest standards of accuracy in the presentation of its text and apparatus; and the text and apparatus should be presented as accessibly and elegantly as possible. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Offered in even-numbered years for a scholarly book in the field of English or other modern languages and literatures. Book must have been published within the 2 years prior to prize deadline. At the time of publication of the book, author must not be enrolled in a program leading to an academic degree or hold a tenured, tenure-accruing, or tenure-track position in postsecondary education. Authors need not be members of the MLA. Requires 6 copies of the book and a completed application. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award, a certificate, and a year’s membership in the MLA.
CutBank Literary Magazine, CutBank, University of Montana, English Dept., LA 133, Missoula MT 59812. E-mail: editor.cutbank@gmail.com. Website: www.cutbankonline.org. Contact: Allison Linville, editor-in-chief. The Montana Prize in Creative Nonfiction seeks to highlight work that showcases an authentic voice, a boldness of form, and a rejection of functional fixedness. Accepts online submissions only. Send a single work, no more than 35 pages. Guidelines available online. Deadline: January 15. Submissions period begins November 1. Prize: $500 and featured in the magazine. Judged by a guest judge each year.
Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition, Webhallow House, 1544 Sweetwood Dr., Broadmoor Village CA 94015-2029. E-mail: soulkeats@mail.com. Website: www.soulmakingcontest.us. Contact: Eileen Malone. Open annually to any writer. One memoir/entry, up to 1,500 words, double spaced. Previously published material is acceptable. Indicate category on first page. Identify only with 3x5 card. Deadline: November 30. Prize: 1st Place: $100; 2nd Place: $50; 3rd Place: $25.
The National Writers Association, 10940 S. Parker Rd., #508, Parker CO 80134. (303)841-0246. E-mail: natlwritersassn@hotmail.com. Website: www.nationalwriters.com. Only unpublished works may be submitted. Judging of entries will not begin until the contest ends. Nonfiction in the following areas will be accepted: articles—submission should include query letter, 1st page of manuscript, separate sheet citing 5 possible markets; essay—the complete essay and 5 possible markets on separate sheet; nonfiction book proposal including query letter, chapter by chapter outline, first chapter, bio and market analysis. Those unsure of proper manuscript format should request Research Report #35. The purpose of the National Writers Association Nonfiction Contest is to encourage the writing of nonfiction and recognize those who excel in this field. Deadline: December 31. Prize: 1st-5th place awards. Other winners will be notified by March 31st. 1st Prize: $200 and Clearinghouse representation if winner is book proposal; 2nd Prize: $100; 3rd Prize: $50; 4th-10th places will receive a book. Honorable Mentions receive a certificate. Judging will be based on originality, marketability, research, and reader interest. Copies of the judges evaluation sheets will be sent to entrants furnishing an SASE with their entry.
The Phi Beta Kappa Society, 1606 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington DC 20009. (202)265-3808. Fax: (202)986-1601. E-mail: awards@pbk.org. Website: www.pbk.org/bookawards. Contact: Awards Coordinator. Offered annually for outstanding contributions by scientists to the literature of science. To be eligible, biographies of scientists must have a substantial critical emphasis on their scientific research. Entries must have been published in the previous calendar year. Entries must be submitted by the publisher and be preceded by a letter certifying that the book(s) conforms to all the conditions of eligibility and stating the publication date of each entry. Two copies of the book must be sent with the nomination form. Books will not be entered officially in the competition until all copies and the letter of certification have been received. Open only to original works in English and authors of US residency and publication. The intent of the award is to encourage literate and scholarly interpretations of the physical and biological sciences and mathematics; monographs and compendiums are not eligible. Deadline: January 15. Prize: $10,000.
The Preservation Foundation, Inc., 2313 Pennington Bend, Nashville TN 37214. E-mail: preserve@storyhouse.org. Website: www.storyhouse.org. Contact: Richard Loller, publisher. Three contests offered annually for unpublished nonfiction. Biography/Autobiography (1,500-10,000 words)—a true story of an individual personally known to the author. Or a true story from the author’s life, the whole or an episode. General nonfiction (1,500-10,000 words)—any appropriate nonfiction topic. Travel nonfiction (1,500-10,000 words)—must be the true story of trip by author or someone known personally by author. Open to any previously unpublished writer. Defined as having earned no more than $750 by creative writing in any previous year. Stories must be submitted by e-mail or as electronic files by regular mail. No paper mss can be considered. No story may be entered in more than one contest. See website for contest details. Deadline: August 31. Prize: 1st Place: $100 in each category; certificates for finalists.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered annually for outstanding scholarly work in comparative literary studies involving at least 2 literatures. Works of literary history, literary criticism, philology, and literary theory are eligible, as are works dealing with literature and other arts and disciplines, including cinema; books that are primarily translations will not be considered. Books must have been published in the past calendar year. Authors must be current members of the MLA. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Offered annually for an outstanding scholarly work in French or francophone linguistics or literary studies. Works of literary history, literary criticism, philology, and literary theory are eligible for consideration; books that are primarily translations will not be considered. Books must have been published in the previous year. Authors must be current members of the MLA. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered in odd-number years for an outstanding scholarly work on any phase of Italian literature or culture or comparative literature involving Italian. This shall include works that study literary or cultural theory, science, history, art, music, society, politics, cinema, and linguistics, preferably but not necessarily relating other disciplines to literature. Books must have been published in the previous year. Authors must be members of the MLA. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Offered in even-numbered years for an outstanding scholarly work on the linguistics or literatures of any of the Germanic languages (Danish, Dutch, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Yiddish). Works of literary history, literary criticism, philology, and literary theory are eligible for consideration; books that are primarily translations will not be considered. Books must have been published in the previous 2 years. Authors must be members of the MLA. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award, and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offerred annualy for an outstanding ms dealing with any aspect of the languages and literatures of Italy, including medieval Latin and comparative studies or intellectual history if the work’s main thrust is clearly related to the humanities. Materials from ancient Rome are eligible if related to postclassical developments. Also eligible are translations of classical works of prose and poetry produced in Italy prior to 1900 in any language (e.g., neo-Latin, Greek) or in a dialect of Italian (e.g., Neapolitan, Roman, Sicilian). Eligible are book manuscripts in English or Italian that are ready for submission or already submitted to a press. Mss must be approved or ready for publication before award deadline. Authors must be current members of the MLA, residing in the United States or Canada. Requires 4 copies, plus contact and biographical information. Deadline: June 1. Prize: A cash award and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of book prizes. Offered annually for an outstanding study of black American literature or culture. Books must have been published in the previous year. Authors need not be members of the MLA. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash award, and a certificate to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January.
Modern Language Association of America, 26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10004-1789. (646)576-5141. Fax: (646)458-0030. E-mail: awards@mla.org. Website: www.mla.org. Contact: Coordinator of Book Prizes. Offered in even-numbered years for a work in the fields of language, culture, literacy, or literature with strong application to the teaching of English. Books must have been published in the previous 2 years. Authors need not be members of the MLA. Requires 4 copies of the book. Deadline: May 1. Prize: A cash prize, a certificate, to be presented at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in January, and a 1-year membership in the MLA.
StageofLife.com, P.O. Box 580950, Minneapolis MN 55458-0950. Fax: (717)650-3855. E-mail: contact@stageoflife.com. Website: www.stageoflife.com. Monthly writing contests for teens, college students, brides, grooms, married couples, homeowners, parents, and grandparents using a nonfiction, memoir, blogging, essay-style format. Submitted essays must be 500 words or less. Style, grammar, point of view, and authentic voice are all important aspects in the submissions. Press for the StageofLife.com writing contest has appeared on Time.com, ABC TV’S “Mary Talks Money”, The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch, Socialtimes.com, and other media outlets. Deadline: 12am PST the last day of the month. Prize: Offers $25-50 cash prize or equivalent gift card from current contest sponsor, “Featured Writer” status on StageofLife.com, and mention in the site’s monthly press release. Editorial staff headed by Eric Thiegs, CEO; Rebecca Thiegs, senior editor; Michelle Pease, essay editor; and a panel of 12 freelance editors judge monthly contests.
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., National Headquarters, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City MO 64111. (816)968-1117. E-mail: kharmer@vfw.org. Website: http://www.vfw.org/Community/Voice-of-Democracy/. The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 (on the Nov. 1 deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories. Contact your local VFW Post to enter (entry must not be mailed to the VFW National Headquarters, only to a local, participating VFW Post. Purpose is to give high school students the opportunity to voice their opinions about their responsibility to our country and to convey those opinions via the broadcast media to all of America. Deadline: November 1. Prize: Winners receive awards ranging from $1,000-30,000.
Sycamore Review, Department of English, 500 Oval Dr., Purdue University, West Lafayette IN 47907. E-mail: sycamore@purdue.edu; sycamorenf@purdue.edu. Website: www.sycamorereview.com/contest/. Contact: Kara Krewer, editor-in-chief. Annual contest for unpublished nonfiction. For each submission, send one nonfiction piece (limit 7,500 words). Ms pages should be numbered and should include the title of the piece. All stories must be previously unpublished. See website for more guidelines. Submit via online submissions manager. Deadline: December 1. Prize: $1,000 and publication.
271CR 219, Encampment WY 82325. (307)329-8942. Fax: (307)327-5465 (call first). E-mail: wwa.moulton@gmail.com. Website: www.westernwriters.org. Contact: Candy Moulton, executive director. 17 Spur Award categories in various aspects of the American West. Send entry form with your published work. Accepts multiple submissions, each with its own entry form. The nonprofit Western Writers of America has promoted and honored the best in Western literature with the annual Spur Awards, selected by panels of judges. Awards, for material published last year, are given for works whose inspirations, image and literary excellence best represent the reality and spirit of the American West.
THE HILARY WESTON WRITERS' TRUST PRIZE FOR NONFICTIONThe Writers’ Trust of Canada, 460 Richmond St. W., Suite 600, Toronto ON M5V 1Y1 Canada. (416)504-8222. Fax: (416)504-9090. E-mail: info@writerstrust.com. Website: www.writerstrust.com. Contact: Amanda Hopkins. Offered annually for a work of nonfiction published in the previous year. Award presented at a a gala event held in Toronto each fall. Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. Deadline: August. Prize: $60,000 and $5,000 to 4 finalists.
P.O. Box 664, Ottawa KS 66067-0664. (785)242-2947. Fax: (785)242-2473. E-mail: jbushman@writingconference.com. E-mail: support@studentq.com. Website: www.writingconference.com. Contact: John H. Bushman, contest director. Unpublished submissions only. Submissions made by the author or teacher. Purpose of contest: To further writing by students with awards for narration, exposition and poetry at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Deadline: January 8. Prize: Awards plaque and publication of winning entry in The Writers’ Slate online, April issue. Judged by a panel of teachers.
100 Adler Journalism Building, Iowa City IA 52242-2004. (319)335-3457. Fax: (319)335-3989. E-mail: quill-scroll@uiowa.edu. Website: www.quillandscroll.org. Contact: Vanessa Shelton, executive director. High school students who are contributors to or staff members of a student yearbook at any public or private high school are invited to enter the competition. Awards will be made in each of the 18 divisions. There are two enrollment categories: Class A: more than 750 students; Class B: 749 or less. Winners will receive Quill and Scroll’s National Award Gold Key and, if seniors, are eligible to apply for one of the Edward J. Nell Memorial or George and Ophelia Gallup scholarships. Open to students whose schools have Quill and Scroll charters. Previously published submissions only. Submissions made by the author or school yearbook adviser. Must be published in the 12-month span prior to contest deadline. Visit website for list of current and previous winners. Purpose is to recognize and reward student journalists for their work in yearbooks and to provide student winners an opportunity to apply for a scholarship to be used freshman year in college for students planning to major in journalism. Deadline: November 1.
Zone 3, Austin Peay State University, P.O. Box 4565, Clarksville TN 37044. (931)221-7031. Fax: (931)221-7149. E-mail: wallacess@apsu.edu. Website: www.apsu.edu/zone3/contests. Contact: Susan Wallace, Managing Editor. Annual contest for unpublished nonfiction. Open to any writer. Accepts entries online and via postal mail. Deadline: April 1. Prize: $250 and publication.
4610 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4610. (919)807-7290. E-mail: michael.hill@ncdcr.gov. Website: www.ncdcr.gov. Contact: Michael Hill, awards coordinator. Annual award. Book must be published during the year ending June 30. Submissions made by author, author’s agent or publisher. SASE for contest rules. Author must have maintained either legal residence or actual physical residence, or a combination of both, in the state of North Carolina for 3 years immediately preceding the close of the contest period. Only published work (books) eligible. Recognizes the year’s best work of juvenile literature by a North Carolina resident. Deadline: July 15. Prize: Awards a cup to the winner and winner’s name inscribed on a plaque displayed within the North Carolina Office of Archives and History. Judged by three-judge panel.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN AWARDNonnenweg 12, Postfach Basel CH-4003 Switzerland. E-mail: liz.page@ibby.org. E-mail: ibby@ibby.org. Website: www.ibby.org. Contact: Liz Page, director. The Hans Christian Andersen Award, awarded every two years by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children’s books. The Author’s Award has been given since 1956, the Illustrator’s Award since 1966. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is the Patron of the Hans Christian Andersen Awards. The awards are presented at the biennial congresses of IBBY. Awarded to an author and to an illustrator, living at the time of the nomination, who by the outstanding value of their work are judged to have made a lasting contribution to literature for children and young people. The complete works of the author and of the illustrator will be taken into consideration in awarding the medal, which will be accompanied by a diploma. Candidates are nominated by National Sections of IBBY in good standing. Prize: Awards medals according to literary and artistic criteria. Judged by the Hans Christian Andersen Jury.
MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARDThe Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 217, Toronto ON M4R 1B9 Canada. (416)975-0010, ext. 222. Fax: (416)975-8970. E-mail: meghan@bookcentre.ca. Website: www.bookcentre.ca. Contact: Meghan Howe. The Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award honors excellence in the illustrated picture book format. To be eligible, the book must be an original work in English, aimed at children ages 3-8, written and illustrated by Canadians and first published in Canada. Eligible genres include fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Books must be published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of the previous calendar year. New editions or re-issues of previously published books are not eligible for submission. Send 5 copies of title along with a completed submission form. Deadline: December 17. Prize: $20,000.
TIPS “Please visit website for submission guidelines and eligibility criteria.”
50 E. Huron St., Chicago IL 60611-2795. Website: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/batchelderaward. The Batchelder Award is given to the most outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the US. Visit website for terms and criteria of award. The purpose of the award, a citation to an American publisher, is to encourage international exchange of quality children’s books by recognizing US publishers of such books in translation. Deadline: December 31.
2471 Flores St., San Mateo CA 94403. (650)376-0886. Fax: (650)539-2341. E-mail: bartlett@scfl.lib.ca.us. Website: www.cla-net.org. Contact: Diane Bartlett, award chair. The California Library Association’s John and Patricia Beatty Award, sponsored by Baker & Taylor, honors the author of a distinguished book for children or young adults that best promotes an awareness of California and its people. Must be a children’s or young adult books published in the previous year, set in California, and highlight California’s cultural heritage or future. Send title suggestiosn to the committee members. Deadline: January 31. Prize: $500 and an engraved plaque. Judged by a committee of CLA members, who select the winning title from books published in the United States during the preceding year.
THE GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLEThe Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 217, Toronto ON M4R 1B9 Canada. (416)975-0010, ext. 222. Fax: (416)975-8970. Website: www.bookcentre.ca. Contact: Meghan Howe. Awarded annually to reward excellence in the writing of an outstanding work of historical fiction for young readers, by a Canadian author, published in the previous calendar year. Open to Canadian citizens and residents of Canada for at least 2 years. Books must be published between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year. Books must be first foreign or first Canadian editions. Autobiographies are not eligible. Jury members will consider the following: historical setting and accuracy, strong character and plot development, well-told, original story, and stability of book for its intended age group. Send 5 copies of the title along with a completed submission form. Deadline: December 17. Prize: $5,000.
Bank Street College of Education, 610 W. 112th St., New York NY 10025-1898. (212)875-4458. Fax: (212)875-4558. E-mail: kfreda@bankstreet.edu. Website: http://bankstreet.edu/center-childrens-literature/irma-black-award/. Contact: Kristin Freda. Award give to an outstanding book for young children—a book in which text and illustrations are inseparable, each enhancing and enlarging on the other to produce a singular whole. Entries must have been published during the previous calendar year. Publishers submit books. Submit only one copy of each book. Does not accept unpublished mss. Deadline: mid-December. Prize: A scroll with the recipient’s name and a gold seal designed by Maurice Sendak. Judged by a committee of older children and children’s literature professionals. Final judges are first-, second-, and third-grade classes at a number of cooperating schools.
The Boston Globe, Horn Book, Inc., 300 The Fenway, Palace Road Building, Suite P-311, Boston MA 02115. (617)628-0225. Fax: (617)628-0882. E-mail: info@hbook.com; khedeen@hbook.com. Website: hbook.com/bghb/. Contact: Katrina Hedeen. Offered annually for excellence in literature for children and young adults (published June 1-May 31). Categories: picture book, fiction and poetry, nonfiction. Judges may also name up to 2 honor books in each category. Books must be published in the US, but may be written or illustrated by citizens of any country. The Horn Book Magazine publishes speeches given at awards ceremonies. Guidelines for SASE or online. Submit a book directly to each of the judges. See website for details on submitting, as well as contest guidelines. Deadline: May 15. Prize: $500 and an engraved silver bowl; honor book recipients receive an engraved silver plate. Judged by a panel of 3 judges selected each year.
ANN CONNOR BRIMER BOOK AWARDThe Ann Connor Brimer Award, P.O. Box 36036, Halifax NS B3J 3S9 Canada. (902)490-2742. Website: www.atlanticbookawards.ca/. Contact: Laura Carter, Atlantic Book Awards Festival Coordinator. In 1990, the Nova Scotia Library Association established the Ann Connor Brimer Award for writers residing in Atlantic Canada who have made an outstanding contribution to writing for Atlantic Candian young people. Author must be alive and residing in Atlantic Canada at time of nomination. Book intended for youth up to the age of 15. Book in print and readily available. Fiction or non-fiction (except textbooks). Book must have been published within the previous year. Prize: $2,000.
Outreach Council of the African Studies Association, c/o Rutgers University, 132 George St., New Brunswick NJ 08901. (732)932-8173; (301)585-9136. Fax: (732)932-3394. E-mail: africaaccess@aol.com. E-mail: harrietmcguire@earthlink.net. Website: www.africaaccessreview.org. Contact: Brenda Randolph, chairperson. The Children’s Africana Book Awards are presented annually to the authors and illustrators of the best books on Africa for children and young people published or republished in the U.S. The awards were created by the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association (ASA) to dispel stereotypes and encourage the publication and use of accurate, balanced children’s materials about Africa. The awards are presented in 2 categories: Young Children and Older Readers. Entries must have been published in the calendar year previous to the award. Work submitted for awards must be suitable for children ages 4-18; a significant portion of books’ content must be about Africa; must by copyrighted in the calendar year prior to award year; must be published or republished in the US. Books should be suitable for children and young adults, ages 4-18. A significant portion of the book’s content should be about Africa. Books must be copyrighted the previous year to be eligible for the awards. Judged by African Studies and Children’s Literature scholars. Nominated titles are read by committee members and reviewed by external African Studies scholars with specialized academic training.
E-mail: theguild@childrensbookguild.org. Website: www.childrensbookguild.org. Annual award. “One doesn’t enter. One is selected. Our jury annually selects one author for the award.” Honors an author or illustrator whose total work has contributed significantly to the quality of nonfiction for children. Prize: Cash and an engraved crystal paperweight. Judged by a jury of Children’s Book Guild specialists, authors, and illustrators.
CLA YOUNG ADULT BOOK AWARD1150 Morrison Dr., Suite 400, Ottawa ON K2H 8S9 Canada. (613)232-9625. Fax: (613)563-9895. E-mail: svollick@shaw.ca. Website: www.cla.ca. Contact: Stephanie Vollick, chair. This award recognizes an author of an outstanding English language Canadian book which appeals to young adults between the ages of 13 and 18. To be eligible for consideration, the following must apply: it must be a work of fiction (novel, collection of short stories, or graphic novel), the title must be a Canadian publication in either hardcover or paperback, and the author must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. The award is given annually, when merited, at the Canadian Library Association’s annual conference. Deadline: December 31. Prize: $1,000.
50 East Huron St., Chicago IL 60611-2795. (312)280-4390 or (800)545-2433. Fax: (312)280-5276. E-mail: yalsa@ala.org. Website: www.ala.org/yalsa/edwards. Contact: Nichole O’Connor. Annual award administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) of the American Library Association (ALA) and sponsored by School Library Journal magazine. Awarded to an author whose book or books, over a period of time, have been accepted by young adults as an authentic voice that continues to illuminate their experiences and emotions, giving insight into their lives. The book or books should enable them to understand themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationship with others and with society. The book or books must be in print at the time of the nomination. Submissions must be previously published no less than 5years prior to the first meeting of the current Margaret A. Edwards Award Committee at Midwinter Meeting. Nomination form is available on the YALSA website. Deadline: December 1. Prize: $2,000. Judged by members of the Young Adult Library Services Association.
Midstate Library Service Center, 578 Paine Tpke. N., Berlin VT 05602. (802)828-6954. E-mail: grace.greene@state.vt.us. Website: www.dcfaward.org. Contact: Mary Linney, chair. Annual award to encourage Vermont children to become enthusiastic and discriminating readers by providing them with books of good quality by living American or Canadian authors published in the current year. E-mail for entry rules. Titles must be original work, published in the U.S., and be appropriate to children in grades 4-8. The book must be copyrighted in the current year. It must be written by an American author living in the U.S. or Canada, or a Canadian author living in Canada or the U.S. Deadline: December of year book was published. Prize: Awards a scroll presented to the winning author at an award ceremony. Judged by children, grades 4-8, who vote for their favorite book.
THE NORMA FLECK AWARD FOR CANADIAN CHILDREN'S NONFICTIONThe Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 217, Toronto ON M4R 1B9 Canada. (416)975-0010 ext. 222. Fax: (416)975-8970. E-mail: meghan@bookcentre.ca. Website: www.bookcentre.ca. Contact: Meghan Howe. The Norma Fleck Award was established by the Fleck Family Foundation to recognize and raise the profile of exceptional nonfiction books for children. Offered annually for books published between January 1 and December 31 of the previous calendar year. Open to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. Books must be first foreign or first Canadian editions. Nonfiction books in the following categories are eligible: culture and the arts, science, biography, history, geography, reference, sports, activities, and pastimes. Deadline: December 17. Prize: $10,000. The award will go to the author unless 40% or more of the text area is composed of original illustrations, in which case the award will be divided equally between author and illustrator.
Morton Mandan Public Library, 609 W. Main St., Mandan ND 58554. E-mail: laustin@cdln.info. Website: www.ndla.info/ftaward.htm. Contact: Linda Austin. Award gives children across the state of North Dakota a chance to vote for their book of choice from a nominated list of 20: 4 in the picture book category; 4 in the intermediate category; 4 in the juvenile category (for more advanced readers); 4 in the upper grade level nonfiction category. Also promotes awareness of quality literature for children. Previously published submissions only. Submissions nominated by librarians and teachers across the state of North Dakota. Deadline: April 1. Prize: A plaque from North Dakota Library Association and banquet dinner. Judged by children in North Dakota.
Association for Library Service to Children, Division of the American Library Association, 50 E. Huron, Chicago IL 60611. (800)545-2433. E-mail: alscawards@ala.org. Website: www.ala.org. The Theodor Seuss Geisel Awar is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. The award is to recognize the author(s) and illustrator(s) who demonstrate great creativity and imagination in his/her/their literary and artistic achievements to engage children in reading. Terms and criteria for the award are listed on the website. Entry will not be returned. Deadline: December 31. Prize: Medal, given at awards ceremony during the ALA Annual Conference.
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90048-4515. (323)782-1010. Fax: (323)782-1892. E-mail: sararutenberg@scbwi.org. Website: www.scbwi.org. Given annually to recognize excellence in children’s literature in 4 categories: fiction, nonfiction, picture book text, and picture book illustration. Books submitted must be published in the previous calendar year. Both individuals and publishers may submit. Submit 4 copies of book. Submit to one category only, except in the case of picture books. Must be a current member of the SCBWI. Deadline: December 1. Submission period begins July 1. Prize: One Golden Kite Award Winner and one Honor Book will be chosen per category. Winners and Honorees will receive a commemorative poster also sent to publishers, bookstores, libraries, and schools; a press release; an announcement on the SCBWI website; and on SCBWI Social Networks.
Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., Westfield MA 01085. (413)568-7833. Website: www.westath.org. The Carol Otis Hurst Children’s Book Prize honors outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction, including biography and memoir, written for children and young adults through the age of eighteen that exemplify the highest standards of research, analysis, and authorship in their portrayal of the New England Experience. The prize will be presented annually to an author whose book treats the region’s history as broadly conceived to encompass one or more of the following elements: political experience, social development, fine and performing artistic expression, domestic life and arts, transportation and communication, changing technology, military experience at home and abroad, schooling, business and manufacturing, workers and the labor movement, agriculture and its transformation, racial and ethnic diversity, religious life and institutions, immigration and adjustment, sports at all levels, and the evolution of popular entertainment. The public presentation of the prize will be accompanied by a reading and/or talk by the recipient at a mutually agreed upon time during the spring immediately following the publication year. Books must have been copyrighted in their original format during the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, of the year preceding the year in which the prize is awarded. Any individual, publisher, or organization may nominate a book. See website for details and guidelines. Prize: $500.
P.O. Box 8139, 800 Barksdale Rd., Newark DE 19714-8139. (302)731-1600, ext. 221. E-mail: kbaughman@reading.org. E-mail: committees@reading.org. Website: www.reading.org. Contact: Kathy Baughman. The IRA Children’s and Young Adults Book Awards are intended for newly published authors who show unusual promise in the children’s and young adults’ book field. Awards are given for fiction and nonfiction in each of three categories: primary, intermediate, and young adult. Books from all countries and published in English for the first time during the previous calendar year will be considered. See website for eligibility and criteria information. Entry should be the author’s first or second book. Deadline: October 31. Prize: $1,000.
THE IODE JEAN THROOP BOOK AWARDThe Lillian H. Smith Children’s Library, 239 College St., Toronto ON M5T 1R5 Canada. (905)522-9537. E-mail: mcscott@torontopubliclibrary.ca; iodeontario@bellnet.ca. Website: www.iodeontario.ca. Contact: Martha Scott. Each year, the Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE presents an award intended to encourage the publication of books for children between the ages of 6-12 years. The award-winner must be a Canadian citizen, resident in Toronto or the surrounding area, and the book must be published in Canada. Deadline: January 31. Prize: Award and cash prize of $2,000. Judged by a selected committee.
International Reading Association, International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Rd., PO Box 8139, Newark DE 19714-8139. (302)731-1600. Fax: (302)731-1057. E-mail: committees@reading.org. Website: www.reading.org. Offered to reward author of an original short story published for the first time in a periodical for children. (Periodicals should generally be aimed at readers around age 12.) Write for guidelines or download from website. Award is non-monetary. Both fiction and nonfiction stories are eligible; each will be rated according to the characteristics that are appropriate for the genre. The story should: create a believable world for the readers, be truthful and authentic in its presentation of information, serve as a reading and literary standard by which readers can measure other writing, and encourage young readers by providing them with an enjoyable reading experience. Deadline: November 15.
P.O. Box 56312, Virginia Beach VA 23456. (757)689-0594. E-mail: catlettsm@gmail.com. Website: www.vla.org. Contact: Susan M. Catlett, current chairperson. The Jefferson Cup honors a distinguished biography, historical fiction, or American history book for young people. The Jefferson Cup Committee’s goal is to promote reading about America’s past; to encourage the quality writing of United States history, biography, and historical fiction for young people; and to recognize authors in these disciplines. Deadline: January 31.
University of Minnesota Libraries, 499 Wilson Library, 309 19th Ave. S, Minneapolis MN 55455. E-mail: asc-clrc@umn.edu. Website: https://www.lib.umn.edu/clrc/awards-grants-and-fellowships. This fellowship from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation will provide $1,500 to a talented writer and/or illustrator of children’s books who wishes to use the Kerlan Collection for the furtherance of his or her artistic development. Special consideration will be given to someone who would find it difficult to finance a visit to the Kerlan Collection. The Ezra Jack Keats Fellowship recipient will receive transportation costs and a per diem allotment. See website for application deadline and for digital application materials. Winner will be notified in February. Study and written report must be completed within the calendar year. Deadline: January 30.
Northern Kentucky University, 405 Steely Library, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights KY 41099. (859)572-6620. E-mail: smithjen@nku.edu. Website: kba.nku.edu. The Kentucky Bluegrass Award is a student choice program. The KBA promotes and encourages Kentucky students in kindergarten through grade 12 to read a variety of quality literature. Each year, a KBA committee for each grade category chooses the books for the four Master Lists (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12). All Kentucky public and private schools, as well as public libraries, are welcome to participate in the program. To nominate a book, see the website for form and details. Deadline: March 1. Judged by students who read books and choose their favorite.
50 E. Huron St., Chicago IL 60611-2795. (800)545-2433. Website: www.ala.org/emiert/cskbookawards. The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. This award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood. Must be written for a youth audience in one of three categories: preschool-4th grade; 5th-8th grade; or 9th-12th grade. Book must be published in the year preceding the year the award is given, evidenced by the copyright date in the book. See website for full details, criteria, and eligibility concerns. Deadline: December 1.
THE VICKY METCALF AWARD FOR LITERATURE FOR YOUNG PEOPLEThe Writers’ Trust of Canada, 460 Richmond St. W., Suite 600, Toronto ON M5V 1Y1 Canada. (416)504-8222. E-mail: info@writerstrust.com. Website: www.writerstrust.com. Contact: Amanda Hopkins. The Vicky Metcalf Award is presented to a Canadian writer for a body of work in children’s literature at The Writers’ Trust Awards event held in Toronto each Fall. Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only.
Association for Library Service to Children, Division of the American Library Association, 50 E. Huron, Chicago IL 60611. (800)545-2433, ext. 2153. Fax: (312)280-5271. E-mail: alscawards@ala.org. Website: www.ala.org. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Previously published submissions only; must be published prior to year award is given. SASE for award rules. Entries not returned. Medal awarded at Caldecott/Newbery banquet during ALA annual conference. Deadline: December 31. Judged by Newbery Award Selection Committee.
1955 Massachusetts Ave., #2, Cambridge MA 02140. (617)547-3642. Fax: (617)547-3759. E-mail: nan@neba.org. Website: http://www.newenglandbooks.org/BookAwards. Contact: Nan Sorenson, administrative coordinator. Annual award. Previously published submissions only. Submissions made by New England booksellers; publishers. Submit written nominations only; actual books should not be sent. Member bookstores receive materials to display winners’ books. Award is given to a specific title, fiction, non-fiction, children’s. The titles must be either about New England, set in New England or by an author residing in the New England. The titles must be hardcover, paperback orginal or reissue that was published between September 1 and August 31. Entries must be still in print and available. Deadline: June 13. Prize: Winners will receive $250 for literacy to a charity of their choice. Judged by NEIBA membership.
200 NE 18th St., Oklahoma City OK 73105. (405)521-2502. Fax: (405)525-7804. E-mail: connie.armstrong@libraries.ok.gov. Website: www.odl.state.ok.us/ocb. Contact: Connie Armstrong, executive director. This award honors Oklahoma writers and books about Oklahoma. Awards are presented to best books in fiction, nonfiction, children’s, design and illustration, and poetry books about Oklahoma or books written by an author who was born, is living or has lived in Oklahoma. SASE for award rules and entry forms. Winner will be announced at banquet in Oklahoma City. The Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award is also presented each year for a body of work. Previously published submissions only. Submissions made by the author, author’s agent, or entered by a person or group of people, including the publisher. Must be published during the calendar year preceding the award. Deadline: January 10. Prize: Awards a medal. Judging by a panel of 5 people for each category, generally a librarian, a working writer in the genre, booksellers, editors, etc.
Museum of Tolerance, 1399 S. Roxbury Dr., Los Angeles CA 90035-4709. (310)772-7605. Fax: (310)772-7628. E-mail: bookaward@wiesenthal.com. Website: www.museumoftolerance.com. Contact: Adaire J. Klein, award director. The Simon Wiesenthal Center/Museum of Tolerance welcomes submissions for the Once Upon a World Children’s Book Award. Book publishers and members of the public are invited to nominate children’s books that meet the following criteria: young readers’ books for ages 6-8 that promote the themes of tolerance, diversity, and social justice; older readers’ books for ages 9-12 that promote the themes of tolerance, diversity, respect, and social justice. Books may be a picture book, fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Deadline: February 28. Prize: $1,000 award in each category.
1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana IL 61801-1096. (217)328-3870. Fax: (217)328-0977. E-mail: elementary@ncte.org. Website: www.ncte.org/awards/orbispictus. The NCTE Orbis Pictus Award promotes and recognizes excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children. Orbis Pictus commemorates the work of Johannes Amos Comenius, Orbis Pictus—The World in Pictures (1657), considered to be the first book actually planned for children. Submissions should be made by an author, the author’s agent, or by a person or group of people. Must be published in the calendar year of the competition. Deadline: December 31. Prize: A plaque given at the NCTE Elementary Section Luncheon at the NCTE Annual Convention in November. Up to 5 honor books awarded. Judged by members of the Orbis Pictus Committee.
CSLA, 10157 SW Barbur Blvd. #102C, Portland OR 97219. (503)244-6919. Fax: (503)977-3734. E-mail: sharper1@kent.edu. Website: www.cslainfo.org. Contact: S. Meghan Harper, awards chair. Annual award given to a person or organization that has made a significant contribution to promoting high moral and ethical values through children’s literature. Recipient is honored in July during the conference. Awards certificate of recognition, the awards banquet, and one-night’s stay in the hotel. A nomination for an award may be made by anyone. An application form is available online. Elements of creativity and innovation will be given high priority by the judges.
The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College, One College Blvd., Paterson NJ 07505. (973)684-6555. Fax: (973)523-6085. E-mail: mgillan@pccc.edu. Website: www.pccc.edu/poetry. Contact: Maria Mazziotti Gillan, executive director. Award for a book published in the previous year in each age category (Pre-K-Grade 3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-12). Deadline: March 15. Prize: $500.
Hunger Mountain, Vermont College of Fine Arts, 36 College St., Montpelier VT 05602. (802)828-8517. E-mail: hungermtn@vcfa.edu. Website: www.hungermtn.org. Contact: Miciah Bay Gault, editor. The annual Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing honors the best in young adult and children’s literature. Submit young adult or middle grade mss, and writing for younger children, short stories, picture books, or novel excerpts, under 10,000 words. Guidelines available on website. Deadline: June 30. Prize: $1,000 and publication for the first place winner; $100 each and publication for the three category winners. Judged by a guest judge every year. The 2014 judge is Katherine Applegate, the Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan.
148 S. Bethelehem Pike, Ambler PA 19002-5822. Website: www.psla.org. Contact: Alice L. Cyphers, coordinator. Submissions nominated by a person or group. Must be published within 5 years of the award—for example, books published in 2010 to present are eligible for the 2014-2015 award. Check the Program wiki at pyrca.wikispaces.com for submission information. View information at the Pennsylvania School Librarians’ website or the Program wiki. Must be currently living in North America. The purpose of the Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards Program is to promote the reading of quality books by young people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to encourage teacher and librarian collaboration and involvement in children’s literature, and to honor authors whose works have been recognized by the students of Pennsylvania. Deadline: October 15. Prize: Framed certificate to winning authors. Four awards are given, one for each of the following grade level divisions: K-3, 3-6, 6-8, YA. Judged by children of Pennsylvania (they vote).
PEN American Center, 588 Broadway, Suite 303, New York NY 10012. E-mail: awards@pen.org. Website: www.pen.org. Contact: Arielle Anema, literary awards coordinator. Offered annually to an author of children’s or young-adult fiction. The Fellowship has been developed to help writers whose work is of high literary caliber but who have not yet attracted a broad readership. The Fellowship is designed to assist a writer at a crucial moment in his or her career to complete a book-length work-in-progress. Candidates have published at least two novels for children or young adults which have been received warmly by literary critics, but have not generated suficient income to support the author. Writers must be nominated by an editor or fellow author. See website for eligibility and nomination guidelines. Deadline: December 19. Submission period begins September 1. Prize: $5,000.
Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia PA 19131. (215)578-5153. Fax: (215)578-5171. E-mail: hboyd@pleasetouchmuseum.org. Website: www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Contact: Heather Boyd. This prestigious award has recognized and encouraged the publication of high quality books. The award was exclusively created to recognize and encourage the writing of publications that help young children enjoy the process of learning through books, while reflecting PTM’s philosophy of learning through play. The awards to to books that are imaginative, exceptionally illustrated, and help foster a child’s life-long love of reading. To be eligible for consideration, a book must be distinguished in text, illustration, and ability to explore and clarify an idea for young children (ages 7 and under). Deadline: October 1. Books for each cycle must be published within previous calendar year (September-August). Judged by a panel of volunteer educators, artists, booksellers, children’s authors, and librarians in conjunction with museum staff.
P.O. Box 340004, Nashville TN 37203-0004. (615)340-7333. Fax: (615)340-7267. E-mail: pockets@upperroom.org. Website: www.pockets.upperroom.org. Contact: Lynn W. Gilliam, senior editor. Designed for 6- to 12-year-olds, Pockets magazine offers wholesome devotional readings that teach about God’s love and presence in life. The content includes fiction, scripture stories, puzzles and games, poems, recipes, colorful pictures, activities, and scripture readings. Freelance submissions of stories, poems, recipes, puzzles and games, and activities are welcome. Stories should be 750-1,000 words. Multiple submissions are permitted. Past winners are ineligible. The primary purpose of Pockets is to help children grow in their relationship with God and to claim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ by applying it to their daily lives. Pockets espouses respect for all human beings and for God’s creation. It regards a child’s faith journey as an integral part of all of life and sees prayer as undergirding that journey. Deadline: August 15. Submission period begins March 15. Prize: $500 and publication in magazine.
Young Adult Library Services Association, Division of the American Library Association, 50 E. Huron, Chicago IL 60611. (800)545-2433. Fax: (312)280-5276. E-mail: yalsa@ala.org; ala@ala.org. Website: www.ala.org/yalsa/printz. Contact: Nichole O’Connor, program officer for events and conferences. The Michael L. Printz Award annually honors the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit, each year. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to 4 honor books, which also represent the best writing in young adult literature. The award-winning book can be fiction, nonfiction, poetry or an anthology, and can be a work of joint authorship or editorship. The books must be published between January 1 and December 31 of the preceding year and be designated by its publisher as being either a young adult book or one published for the age range that YALSA defines as young adult, e.g. ages 12 through 18. Deadline: December 1. Judged by an award committee.
4696 W. Tyson St., Chandler AZ 85226-2903. (480)940-8182. Fax: (480)940-8787. E-mail: cristy@fivestarpublications.com; fivestarpublications@gmail.com. Website: www.purpledragonflybookawards.com; www.fivestarpublications.com; www.fivestarbookawards.com. Contact: Cristy Bertini, contest coordinator. Five Star Publications presents the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, which were conceived and designed with children in mind. “Not only do we want to recognize and honor accomplished authors in the field of children’s literature, but we also want to highlight and reward up-and-coming, newly published authors and younger published writers.” The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are divided into 3 distinct subject categories, ranging from books on the environment and cooking to sports and family issues. (Click on the “Categories” tab on the website for a complete list.) The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are geared toward stories that appeal to children of all ages. Looking for stories that inspire, inform, teach or entertain. “A Purple Dragonfly seal on your book’s cover tells parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers they are giving children the very best in reading excellence.” Being honored with a Purple Dragonfly Award confers credibility upon the winner, as well as provides positive publicity to further their success. The goal of these awards is to give published authors the recognition they deserve and provide a helping hand to further their careers. The awards are open to books published in any calendar year and in any country that are available for purchase. Books entered must be printed in English. Traditionally published, partnership published and self-published books are permitted, as long as they fit the above criteria. Submit materials to: Cristy Bertini, Attn: Five Star Book Awards, 1271 Turkey St., Ware, MA 01082. Deadline: May 1 (postmarked). Submissions postmarked March 1 or earlier that meet all submission requirements are eligible for the Early Bird reward: A free copy of The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing or Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show. Prize: Grand Prize winner will receive a $300 cash prize, 100 foil award seals (more can be ordered for an extra charge), 1 hour of marketing consultation from Five Star Publications, and $100 worth of Five Star Publications’ titles, as well as publicity on Five Star Publications’ websites and inclusion in a winners’ news release sent to a comprehensive list of media outlets. The Grand Prize winner will also be placed in the Five Star Dragonfly Book Awards virtual bookstore with a thumbnail of the book’s cover, price, 1-sentence description and link to Amazon.com for purchasing purposes, if applicable. 1st Place: All first-place winners of categories will be put into a drawing for a $100 prize. In addition, each first-place winner in each category receives a certificate commemorating their accomplishment, 25 foil award seals (more can be ordered for an extra charge) and mention on Five Star Publications’ websites.
School of Journalism, Univ. of Iowa, 100 Adler Journalism Bldg., Iowa City IA 52242-2004. (319)335-3457. Fax: (319)335-3989. E-mail: quill-scroll@uiowa.edu. E-mail: vanessa-shelton@uiowa.edu. Website: quillandscroll.org. Contact: Vanessa Shelton, contest director. Entries must have been published in a high school or profesional newspaper or website during the previous year, and must be the work of a currently enrolled high school student, when published. Open to students. Annual contest. Previously published submissions only. Submissions made by the author or school media adviser. Deadline: February 5. Prize: Winners will receive Quill and Scroll’s National Award Gold Key and, if seniors, are eligible to apply for one of the scholarships offered by Quill and Scroll. All winning entries are automatically eligible for the International Writing and Photo Sweepstakes Awards. Engraved plaque awarded to sweepstakes winners.
THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDRed House Children’s Book Award, 123 Frederick Road, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2HT United Kingdom. E-mail: info@rhcba.co.uk. Website: www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk. Contact: Sinead Kromer, national coordinator. The Red House Children’s Book Award is the only national book award that is entirely voted for by children. A shortlist is drawn up from children’s nominations and any child can then vote for the winner of the three categories: Books for Younger Children, Books for Younger Readers and Books for Older Readers. The book with the most votes is then crowned the winner of the Red House Children’s Book Award. Deadline: December 31.
Dr. Jesse Gainer, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos TX 78666-4613. (512)245-2357. E-mail: riverabookaward@txstate.edu. Website: www.riverabookaward.org. Contact: Dr. Jesse Gainer, award director. Texas State University College of Education developed the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award to honor authors and illustrators who create literature that depicts the Mexican American experience. The award was established in 1995 and was named in honor of Dr. Tomas Rivera, a distinguished alumnus of Texas State University. The book will be written for younger children, ages pre-K to 5th grade (awarded in even years), or older children, ages 6th grade to 12 grade (awarded in odd years). The text and illustrations will be of highest quality. The portrayal/representations of Mexican Americans will be accurate and engaging, avoid stereotypes, and reflect rich characterization. The book may be fiction or non- fiction. See website for more details and directions. Deadline: November 1.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOOK AWARD: ALBERTA CHILDREN’S CHOICE BOOK AWARDBox 42, Lethbridge AB T1J 3Y3 Canada. (403)381-0855. Website: http://www.rmba.info. Contact: Michelle Dimnik, contest director. Annual contest open to Alberta students. No entry fee. Awards: Gold medal and author tour of selected Alberta schools. Judging by students. Canadian authors and/or illustrators only. Submit entries to Richard Chase. Previously unpublished submissions only. Submissions made by author’s agent or nominated by a person or group. Must be published within the 3 years prior to that year’s award. Register before January 20th to take part in the Rocky Mountain Book Award. SASE for contest rules and entry forms. Purpose of contest: “Reading motivation for students, promotion of Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers.”
8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90048. (323)782-1010. Fax: (323)782-1892. E-mail: grants@scbwi.org. Website: www.scbwi.org. Contact: Stephanie Gordon, award coordinator. The SCBWI is a professional organization of writers and illustrators and others interested in children’s literature. Membership is open to the general public at large. All magazine work for young people by an SCBWI member—writer, artist or photographer—is eligible during the year of original publication. In the case of co-authored work, both authors must be SCBWI members. Members must submit their own work. Requirements for entrants: 4 copies each of the published work and proof of publication (may be contents page) showing the name of the magazine and the date of issue. Previously published submissions only. For rules and procedures see website. Must be a SCBWI member. Recognizes outstanding original magazine work for young people published during that year, and having been written or illustrated by members of SCBWI. Deadline: December 15 of the year of publication. Submission period begins January 1. Prize: Awards plaques and honor certificates for each of 4 categories (fiction, nonfiction, illustration and poetry). Judged by a magazine editor and two “full” SCBWI members.
8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90048. (323)782-1010. Fax: (323)782-1892. E-mail: grants@scbwi.org. E-mail: wipgrant@scbwi.org. Website: www.scbwi.org. The SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grants have been established to assist children’s book writers in the completion of a specific project. Five categories: Picture Book Text, Chapter Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, and Multi-Cultural Fiction or Nonfiction. SASE for applications for grants. The grants are available to both full and associate members of the SCBWI. They are not available for projects on which there are already contracts. Previous recipients not eligible to apply. Deadline: March 31. Submission period begins March 1.