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These are contests, awards, grants and fellowships for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, play scripts, and journalism. All of them have cash awards, from £70 to $100,000, and none charge a submission fee. — S. Kalekar
Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival: 2019 Poetry Competition
This poetry contest does not charge an entry fee for entrants aged up to 11 years and 12-17 years. There is an entry fee for older poets. The theme of the contest is Snowdrops or the work of James Allen (see rules for details). Entrants may send up to 5 poems.
Value: £70 for poets aged 12-17; £50 for poets up to 11 years
Deadline: 13 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
This poetry contest does not charge an entry fee for entrants aged up to 11 years and 12-17 years. There is an entry fee for older poets. The theme of the contest is Snowdrops or the work of James Allen (see rules for details). Entrants may send up to 5 poems.
Value: £70 for poets aged 12-17; £50 for poets up to 11 years
Deadline: 13 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
The Keats-Shelly Prize and the Young Romantics Prize
This is a contest for poems and essays on Romantic themes. For the Keats-Shelly Prize, adult writers should respond creatively to the work of the Romantics; essays may be on any aspect of the lives of the Romantics and their circles. This year, the poetry theme is ‘Wandering’ or ‘Fiery Dust’ – to mark the publication in 1819 of the first two cantos of Lord Byron’s controversial poem Don Juan. For the Young Romantics Prize, poets aged 16-18 should submit poetry on the same theme. Young essayists can explore any aspect of the life or work of the Romantic writers.
Value: Total prize purse of £5,000
Deadline: 14 January 2019
Open for: All poets and writers
Details here and here.
This is a contest for poems and essays on Romantic themes. For the Keats-Shelly Prize, adult writers should respond creatively to the work of the Romantics; essays may be on any aspect of the lives of the Romantics and their circles. This year, the poetry theme is ‘Wandering’ or ‘Fiery Dust’ – to mark the publication in 1819 of the first two cantos of Lord Byron’s controversial poem Don Juan. For the Young Romantics Prize, poets aged 16-18 should submit poetry on the same theme. Young essayists can explore any aspect of the life or work of the Romantic writers.
Value: Total prize purse of £5,000
Deadline: 14 January 2019
Open for: All poets and writers
Details here and here.
Writers in the Forest
To celebrate 100 years of forestry, Forestry England will commission two writers to write about UK’s forests. “From observing our expert foresters and wildlife rangers at work to watching our world-class scientists, two writers will embark on a journey to understand the forests we have looked after over the past century”, according to their guidelines. They welcome all forms of storytelling and are particularly interested in hearing from under-represented groups to diversify the voices and stories found in nature writing. The pitch should include how writers will creatively respond to the forests – via spoken word or short story, poetry or prose. Apart from a cash award, the two writers will also get unique access to the UK’s forests and developmental opportunities.
Value: £2,500 for two writers
Deadline: 14 January 2019
Open for: UK writers
Details here.
To celebrate 100 years of forestry, Forestry England will commission two writers to write about UK’s forests. “From observing our expert foresters and wildlife rangers at work to watching our world-class scientists, two writers will embark on a journey to understand the forests we have looked after over the past century”, according to their guidelines. They welcome all forms of storytelling and are particularly interested in hearing from under-represented groups to diversify the voices and stories found in nature writing. The pitch should include how writers will creatively respond to the forests – via spoken word or short story, poetry or prose. Apart from a cash award, the two writers will also get unique access to the UK’s forests and developmental opportunities.
Value: £2,500 for two writers
Deadline: 14 January 2019
Open for: UK writers
Details here.
Ellen Meloy Fund: Desert Writers Award
This is for a proposal of a literary or creative non-fiction desert writing project. Applicants will be judged on the writing sample’s artistic excellence and desert literacy, the proposal’s strength, and the biography’s ability to demonstrate a history and future of desert writing and experience. Any desert region in the world is applicable to this award. The writing sample may be published, unpublished, or work in progress.
Value: $5,000
Deadline: 15 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
This is for a proposal of a literary or creative non-fiction desert writing project. Applicants will be judged on the writing sample’s artistic excellence and desert literacy, the proposal’s strength, and the biography’s ability to demonstrate a history and future of desert writing and experience. Any desert region in the world is applicable to this award. The writing sample may be published, unpublished, or work in progress.
Value: $5,000
Deadline: 15 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
The Hillman Prize for Journalism
This is for journalists who pursue investigative reporting and deep storytelling in service of the common good. Recipients exemplify reportorial excellence, storytelling skill, and social justice impact. The categories are: Book (bound volumes and ebooks), Newspaper Journalism (story or series/in print or online), Magazine Journalism (story or series/in print or online), Broadcast Journalism (story/series/documentary at least 20 minutes in total package length that has aired on television or radio), Web Journalism (story/series that did not appear in print) – open to blogs, photojournalism, and other multimedia projects as well as text, and Opinion & Analysis Journalism (any medium) – includes all types of advocacy, opinion, commentary and analysis, normally short-form and/or frequent, regardless of medium; open to newspaper and magazine columnists, TV and radio presenters, podcasters, blogs, and bloggers. There is a Canadian Hillman Prize and a US Hillman Prize – the US prize is open to all journalists and subjects globally but the work must have been primarily accessible to a US audience in 2018.
Value: $5,000 each
Deadline: 15 January for Canadian, 30 January 2019 for US entries
Open for: Journalists and bloggers
Details here.
This is for journalists who pursue investigative reporting and deep storytelling in service of the common good. Recipients exemplify reportorial excellence, storytelling skill, and social justice impact. The categories are: Book (bound volumes and ebooks), Newspaper Journalism (story or series/in print or online), Magazine Journalism (story or series/in print or online), Broadcast Journalism (story/series/documentary at least 20 minutes in total package length that has aired on television or radio), Web Journalism (story/series that did not appear in print) – open to blogs, photojournalism, and other multimedia projects as well as text, and Opinion & Analysis Journalism (any medium) – includes all types of advocacy, opinion, commentary and analysis, normally short-form and/or frequent, regardless of medium; open to newspaper and magazine columnists, TV and radio presenters, podcasters, blogs, and bloggers. There is a Canadian Hillman Prize and a US Hillman Prize – the US prize is open to all journalists and subjects globally but the work must have been primarily accessible to a US audience in 2018.
Value: $5,000 each
Deadline: 15 January for Canadian, 30 January 2019 for US entries
Open for: Journalists and bloggers
Details here.
The John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
This is for US high school students in grades 9 through 12. Essays must describe an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F Kennedy was born. The official may have addressed an issue at the local, state, or national level. Essays should be 700-1,000 words and must quote at least five sources.
Value: $10,000, $3,000, $1,000 each for five finalists, $100 each for eight semi-finalists
Deadline: 18 January 2019
Open for: US high school students (see eligibility and requirements)
Details here.
This is for US high school students in grades 9 through 12. Essays must describe an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F Kennedy was born. The official may have addressed an issue at the local, state, or national level. Essays should be 700-1,000 words and must quote at least five sources.
Value: $10,000, $3,000, $1,000 each for five finalists, $100 each for eight semi-finalists
Deadline: 18 January 2019
Open for: US high school students (see eligibility and requirements)
Details here.
The Nine Dots Prize
This is a prize for creative thinking that tackles contemporary societal issues. Entrants are asked to respond to a question in 3,000 words, and the winner will be asked to write a short book expanding on their ideas (the 3,000 words is to be an outline structure for their proposed book, and a justification statement of their ability to complete the book of 25,000-40,000 words in seven months). The name of the Prize references the nine dots puzzle – a lateral thinking puzzle which can only be solved by thinking outside the box. The Nine Dots Prize question is: Is there still no place like home?
Value: $100,000
Deadline: 21 January 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program
This is for authors of literary fiction, short story collections and literary non-fiction, including travel essays, memoirs, or other non-fiction with a strong narrative, as well as for graphic novels, memoirs, or histories. The authors have to have a contract to publish and the publisher must have US distribution. Books should be for an adult or young adult audience. Debuting authors and writers with three or fewer previously published books who have not yet got a major literary award are eligible. Exceptions are made for authors who have published more books, but have yet to break out to a larger audience. Submissions must be by publishers 3-6 months before the publishing date.
Value: Total prizes worth $105,000 for six writers
Deadline: 24 January 2019 for Summer 2019
Open for: Contracted authors
Details here.
This is for authors of literary fiction, short story collections and literary non-fiction, including travel essays, memoirs, or other non-fiction with a strong narrative, as well as for graphic novels, memoirs, or histories. The authors have to have a contract to publish and the publisher must have US distribution. Books should be for an adult or young adult audience. Debuting authors and writers with three or fewer previously published books who have not yet got a major literary award are eligible. Exceptions are made for authors who have published more books, but have yet to break out to a larger audience. Submissions must be by publishers 3-6 months before the publishing date.
Value: Total prizes worth $105,000 for six writers
Deadline: 24 January 2019 for Summer 2019
Open for: Contracted authors
Details here.
Nelson Algren Literary Award
This prize, run by Chicago Tribune, is for a short story up to 8,000 words, and honors the Chicago literary great Nelson Algern. This is only for US writers and entrants can send up to two stories.
Value: $3,500; $750 each for five finalists
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
This prize, run by Chicago Tribune, is for a short story up to 8,000 words, and honors the Chicago literary great Nelson Algern. This is only for US writers and entrants can send up to two stories.
Value: $3,500; $750 each for five finalists
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
Frank O’Connor International Short Story Fellowship
This is for writers who want to work on their manuscripts and who have experience in the coaching or teaching of other writers either through workshops and/or mentoring inside or outside a formal academic setting. Candidates must supply a literary CV, a letter explaining why they want to work in Cork, and a course outline for a four morning short story masterclass aimed at writers who already have periodical publication success.
Value: A monthly stipend of €2,500, totalling €7,500, accommodation
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: Writers outside of Ireland of international standing; must have at least two full-length works of fiction published, of which at least one must be a short story collection
Details here.
This is for writers who want to work on their manuscripts and who have experience in the coaching or teaching of other writers either through workshops and/or mentoring inside or outside a formal academic setting. Candidates must supply a literary CV, a letter explaining why they want to work in Cork, and a course outline for a four morning short story masterclass aimed at writers who already have periodical publication success.
Value: A monthly stipend of €2,500, totalling €7,500, accommodation
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: Writers outside of Ireland of international standing; must have at least two full-length works of fiction published, of which at least one must be a short story collection
Details here.
University of Pittsburgh: Center For African Poetry and Poetics – Fellowship in Creative Writing
This is a two-year fellowship in a “creative think tank” for African American and African diasporic poetry and poetics. The fellow will teach one community workshop each year; lead seminar discussions in the course Studio in African American Poetry and Poetics; participate in Co-Lab, the interactive public forum in which visiting writers and artists present their work in progress; give one public reading with a Q&A; and have the possibility of teaching a course in the university. The fellow’s primary attention will be focused on their own poetry and creative work. Poets who have completed an MFA or PhD with creative writing experience are eligible to apply, provided they do not yet have more than one full-length book of poetry or other creative writing published or under contract.
Value: $48,000/year ($96,000 for two years) and health benefits
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
This is a two-year fellowship in a “creative think tank” for African American and African diasporic poetry and poetics. The fellow will teach one community workshop each year; lead seminar discussions in the course Studio in African American Poetry and Poetics; participate in Co-Lab, the interactive public forum in which visiting writers and artists present their work in progress; give one public reading with a Q&A; and have the possibility of teaching a course in the university. The fellow’s primary attention will be focused on their own poetry and creative work. Poets who have completed an MFA or PhD with creative writing experience are eligible to apply, provided they do not yet have more than one full-length book of poetry or other creative writing published or under contract.
Value: $48,000/year ($96,000 for two years) and health benefits
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest
This is a short story contest run by the Little Tokyo Historical Society in Los Angeles. Stories must use Little Tokyo as a cultural setting, capturing the “spirit and sense” of the historical neighbourhood, and can be set in the past, present, or future. Stories can be in Japanese (5,000 ji or fewer) or English (up to 2,500 words). There are three categories: Youth (under 18s), Japanese, and English.
Value: $500 in each category
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
This is a short story contest run by the Little Tokyo Historical Society in Los Angeles. Stories must use Little Tokyo as a cultural setting, capturing the “spirit and sense” of the historical neighbourhood, and can be set in the past, present, or future. Stories can be in Japanese (5,000 ji or fewer) or English (up to 2,500 words). There are three categories: Youth (under 18s), Japanese, and English.
Value: $500 in each category
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
This is the magazine’s 50th short story contest. Readers of this magazine are interested in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. While the writing should appeal to a reader with these interests, stories can be on any theme. Stories should be up to 3,000 words – up to 5,000 words will be considered.
Value: $100
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is the magazine’s 50th short story contest. Readers of this magazine are interested in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. While the writing should appeal to a reader with these interests, stories can be on any theme. Stories should be up to 3,000 words – up to 5,000 words will be considered.
Value: $100
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Caine Prize for African Writing
This is for a published short story by an African writer, of 3,000-10,000 words. Works published in translation are also eligible. Works received after the deadline will be put forward to the next year’s prize. The short-list is selected from work originally published in the five years preceding the submissions deadline and not previously considered for a Caine Prize.
Value: £10,000, and £500 and travel expenses for up to five short-listed candidates
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: African writers
Details here.
This is for a published short story by an African writer, of 3,000-10,000 words. Works published in translation are also eligible. Works received after the deadline will be put forward to the next year’s prize. The short-list is selected from work originally published in the five years preceding the submissions deadline and not previously considered for a Caine Prize.
Value: £10,000, and £500 and travel expenses for up to five short-listed candidates
Deadline: 31 January 2019
Open for: African writers
Details here.
Roth Residence in Creative Writing
This residency is offered by Bucknell University, and provides writing time of up to four months. For 2019-20, it is open for writers of fiction or creative non-fiction working on a first or second book. There are two residencies, in fall and spring semesters. Some record of publication is desirable.
Value: $5,000 and residency
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
This residency is offered by Bucknell University, and provides writing time of up to four months. For 2019-20, it is open for writers of fiction or creative non-fiction working on a first or second book. There are two residencies, in fall and spring semesters. Some record of publication is desirable.
Value: $5,000 and residency
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
Olive B. O’Connor Fellowship in Creative Writing
This is for writers of fiction or poetry completing their first book. It provides a stipend and office space. Each fellow teaches a creative writing workshop at Colgate University each semester and gives a public reading of his or her work. Those who have completed MFA, MA or PhD in creative writing and working on their first book are encouraged to apply.
Value: $40,500 and travel expenses; residency
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
This is for writers of fiction or poetry completing their first book. It provides a stipend and office space. Each fellow teaches a creative writing workshop at Colgate University each semester and gives a public reading of his or her work. Those who have completed MFA, MA or PhD in creative writing and working on their first book are encouraged to apply.
Value: $40,500 and travel expenses; residency
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
Spread the Word Life Writing Prize
This is for emerging UK writers who have not published a full-length work. The writing should be ‘true to life’, which reflects someone’s own life journey or experiences and is not fiction – the writing should be up to 5,000 words. Graphic novel style entries are welcome. The writing doesn’t have to be entirely prose, it can contain poetry if that’s right for the piece.
Value: £1,500, £500 each for two shortlisted writers, and other prizes
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: UK writers
Details here.
This is for emerging UK writers who have not published a full-length work. The writing should be ‘true to life’, which reflects someone’s own life journey or experiences and is not fiction – the writing should be up to 5,000 words. Graphic novel style entries are welcome. The writing doesn’t have to be entirely prose, it can contain poetry if that’s right for the piece.
Value: £1,500, £500 each for two shortlisted writers, and other prizes
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: UK writers
Details here.
National High School Poetry Contest at Gannon University
This is a poetry contest for US high school students and can be on any topic and in any form. Students may enter up to two poems.
Value: $100, $75, $50
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: US high school students in grades 9 through 12
Details here.
This is a poetry contest for US high school students and can be on any topic and in any form. Students may enter up to two poems.
Value: $100, $75, $50
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: US high school students in grades 9 through 12
Details here.
New America National Fellows Program
This program brings on thinkers—journalists, scholars, filmmakers, and public policy analysts—whose work enhances the public conversation about the most pressing issues of our day. Fellows advance ideas through research, reporting, analysis, and storytelling. The organizers look for projects that are original and ambitious, with viable plans for their implementation. Their goal is to find bold, impactful thinkers and to fund them for a year; long enough to make progress on a book, develop a series of articles, produce a documentary, or work on another project that is accessible. Fellows have to attend three cohort gatherings throughout the fellowship year. While there are no residency or nationality requirements, though fellows need to be involved in the New America community. That may involve traveling to their various offices for events as a speaker or moderator, attending or calling into their Fellows Program sessions, and, otherwise, being engaged in conversations they are having at New America.
Value: Generally $15,000-30,000
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: All journalists, scholars, filmmakers and public policy analysts
Details here.
This program brings on thinkers—journalists, scholars, filmmakers, and public policy analysts—whose work enhances the public conversation about the most pressing issues of our day. Fellows advance ideas through research, reporting, analysis, and storytelling. The organizers look for projects that are original and ambitious, with viable plans for their implementation. Their goal is to find bold, impactful thinkers and to fund them for a year; long enough to make progress on a book, develop a series of articles, produce a documentary, or work on another project that is accessible. Fellows have to attend three cohort gatherings throughout the fellowship year. While there are no residency or nationality requirements, though fellows need to be involved in the New America community. That may involve traveling to their various offices for events as a speaker or moderator, attending or calling into their Fellows Program sessions, and, otherwise, being engaged in conversations they are having at New America.
Value: Generally $15,000-30,000
Deadline: 1 February 2019
Open for: All journalists, scholars, filmmakers and public policy analysts
Details here.
