15 Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry Writing Contests To Enter in 2012

Since we’re still in the first month of the New Year, I thought I would find writing contests that are currently running. Here’s a list of fifteen contests accepting submissions from fiction to reference books. Most of these contests have a reading or entry fee but also provide the winner with a cash prize and guaranteed publication.

• Gemini Magazine– This contest accepts all unpublished, short fiction submissions. There’s a $4 entry and $1000 and publication in the June 2012 issue of the magazine is awarded to the first place winner. The deadline for entry is March 31st 2012.

• Ruminate Magazine – Nonfiction pieces consisting of 7000 words or less can be entered into this contest. There’s a $15 fee and the winner will receive $1000 and publication in the spring 2012 issue of the magazine. The deadline for entry is February 1st 2012.

• South Loop Review – This contest is open to all nonfiction writers. There is a $20 fee and winners will receive $1000 and publication in September 2012. The deadline for entry is March 30th 2012.

• Columbia Journal – Columbia Journal offers $500 in prizes in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. There is a $14 entry and the deadline to enter is February 1st 2012.

• William Saroyan International Prize for Writing– This is a contest for authors first published in 2010/2011. This includes self-published and electronic book authors. There is a $50 entry fee and the entry deadline is January 31st 2012.
  

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• Lost in Las Vegas – Winners of this contest will have their submission published in Wild and Crazy Las Vegas Stories and the first place winner will receive $2,500. The contest closes March 1st 2012.

• The Southeast Review – This contest is for narrative nonfiction consisting of no more than 6,000 words. There is a $16 fee and the winner will receive $500 and publication in 2013. The deadline is March 15th 2012.

• The Obsidian Prize for Nonfiction – This contest is for unpublished nonfiction, 5,000 words max, and there is a $15 entry fee. The deadline is February 12th 2012 and the winner will be published in High Desert Journal.

• The Normal School – This is the third year of this annual contest and fiction and nonfiction pieces are accepted. Submissions must be 10,087 words or less and there is a $20 fee. The winner receives $1000 and publication and the deadline for entry is February 12th 2012.

• Unknown Writers Contest – This contest, held by the Denver Woman’s Press Club, is only open to Colorado residents. They accept fiction, nonfiction, and poetry submissions from writers not previously paid for their work. Entry fees range from $15 to $25 and submissions receive constructive feedback. Winners will win a $125 prize and be honored in a special ceremony. The deadline for entry is March 31st, 2012.

• Ploughshares – The Emerging Writers Contest is accepting fiction, nonfiction, and poetry submissions. There is a $20 fee and the winner will receive a $1,000 prize and have their work published in the winter 2012/13 issue of Ploughshares.

• Writer’s Digest – This is the 20th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards and all genres are accepted from fiction to reference books. The deadline for entry is April 20th, 2012 and the winner will receive $3,000 as well as a trip to a conference in New York City.

• Wag’s Revue – Wag’s Revue holds two contests annually in winter and summer. There is an open reading period which runs March through May and September through November. They accept fiction, essay, and poetry submissions. The winner receives a $1,000 prize and guaranteed publication.

• The Florida Review – The Florida Review is holding the 2012 Editor’s Award contest for fiction, essay, and poetry writers. There is a $15 fee and the deadline is March 17th, 2012. The winner receives $1,000 and publication.

• Accenti – The 7th Annual ACCENTI writing contest is open to prose works of fiction, nonfiction, and creative nonfiction with no more than 2,000 words. There is a $20 fee and entries must be postmarked no later than February 12th 2012. The winner receives $1,000 and publication.

These contests are a fun, great way to help you grow as a writer and winning the cash and publication is a definite plus. If you decide to enter one of these contests be sure to let us know how you do!

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