Monday Miscellany for August 30, 2010

August 30, 2010 by Mary Anne
Filed under Writing Contest News

Hello:

You know, it’s not easy being a writer for writers. We writers can make very demanding readers.

I’m as guilty of that as any writer. I tend to read critically, am quick to spot typos, wince over grammar gaffes (at least the ones involving grammar rules I’m actually both familiar with and in total support of), bemoan one-dimensional characters or predictable plots in fiction, and flinch at the use of cliches and passive writing in both fiction and nonfiction.

So why, when I received criticism about a grammatical no-no in my own writing (see last week’s Monday Miscellaneous), did I immediately feel petulant and defensive? It’s OK for me to point out a written boo boo in Writer’s Digest magazine last month, but not OK for a reader to point out mine to me?

I consider myself to be relatively thick-skinned when it comes to feedback on my writing, especially due to the fact that I do so much of it on behalf of clients. Moreover, I try to take these public written blunders to heart and remember them forever–like the time I published an article by another writer without catching and editing her use of “revert back.” Believe me, that will never happen again!

So I admit, I do grapple with when to use lay versus lie versus lies versus laid; it’s simply one of those grammar rules (or does it involve two?) I constantly trip up on. But the fact is, I have long been aware of this flaw in my writing self. I should never have let last week’s error get by me.

Ah well, I did, and I got exposed, and my initial reaction to the feedback was, “Well, hell, who’s perfect at this grammar thing anyway?!” Not Writer’s Digest or me, that’s for sure. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t graciously accept the feedback and move on. Until I make the next typo/grammar blooper, that is.

OK, here comes this week’s list of writing contests. And here’s to your writing success.

Mary Anne

Multiple Categories

Unbound Press Literary Competitions

Flash fiction: 400 words. Poetry: 40 lines. Submissions may be of any subject matter.

Prizes: 1st: £30, 2nd: £15. (per category) Winners and runners-up receive publication and a free copy.

Deadline: October 31, 2010

Fees: £3

http://freespace.virgin.net/nicola.taylor/unboundpress-competition.htm

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18th Annual SiWC Writing Contest

Short stories: 3,500 – 5,000 words. Non-fiction: maximum length 1,500 words. Poetry: one poem per submission: 40 lines max. SIWC Writing For Young People Award: short stories, maximum length 1,500 words.

Prizes: 1st: $1000 and anthology (per category). Honorable Mention(s) $150 each.

Deadline: September 10, 2010

Fees: $15 per submission

http://www.siwc.ca/contest/2010

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Creative Competitor Writing Competitions

Open Poetry Competition: 40 lines max. Memory Loss Fiction Competition: 650 words max.

Prizes: Poetry & Memory Loss – 1st: £150, 2nd: £100, 3rd: £75

Deadline: Poetry: September 12. Memory Loss: September 30

Fees: Poetry: £3.00 per poem. Memory Loss: £3.00

http://creativecompetitor.com/competitions

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The Missouri Review Editors’ Prize Contest

You may submit your poetry, fiction and nonfiction of general interest.

Prizes: $5,000 Fiction | $5,000 Poetry | $5,000 Essay

Deadline: October 1, 2010

Fees: $20 or $23 for online submission

http://www.missourireview.org/contest/editors_prize.php

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Writing Contests From The New Guard

Machigonne Fiction Contest: 2,500-5,000 words of prose. Novel excerpts welcomed. Knightville Poetry Contest: Up to 70 lines per poem. Three poems per entry.

Prizes: Machigonne Fiction: $1000 | Knightville Poetry: $1,000

Deadline: Machigonne Fiction: September 13, 2010 | Knightville Poetry: October 4, 2010

Fees: $10

http://www.newguardreview.com/#tabContests

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2011 Georgetown Review Contest

You may submit a short story, essay or poem on any theme or subject. All genres welcome.

Prizes: $1000 and publication

Deadline: October 1, 2010

Fees: $10 for the first entry. $5 for each entry thereafter.

http://georgetownreview.georgetowncollege.edu/submissions.htm

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Fiction

The Writer’s Digest 11th Annual Short Short Story Competition

This competition is open to manuscripts of 1,500 words or fewer.

Prizes: 1st: $3,000 and a trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference. 2nd: $1,500. 3rd: $500. 4th – 10th: $100. 11th – 25th: $50 gift certificate for Writer’s Digest Books

Deadline: December 1, 2010

Fees: $20

http://writersdigest.com/short

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Doug Fir Fiction Award

Submissions should be previously unpublished short stories up to 5,000 words, relating to a sense of place or the natural world. You may interpret the theme as broadly or narrowly as you wish.

Prizes: 1st: $1,000 and publication. Finalists (2): Honorable mention in the Bear Deluxe Magazine.

Deadline: September 8, 2010

Fees: $15

http://www.beardeluxe.org/doug_fir_guidelines.html

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Spectra Magazine Issue 1 Competition

Complete the introduced story in 60 words or less.

Prizes: 1st: Kindle from Amazon. 2nd – 11th: Publication in Spectra Magazine

Deadline: September 24, 2010

Fees: None

http://spectramagazine.com/10387/spectra-magazine-issue-1-competition-win-a-new-kindle/

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Aura Estrada Short Story Contest

Stories should not exceed 4,000 words and must be previously unpublished.

Prizes: $1500 and publication in Boston Review

Deadline: October 1, 2010

Fees: $20 ($30 international)

http://bostonreview.net/about/contest/#Estrada

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The 2011 Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest

Submit a short story of no more than 8,000 words. Tell about the near future of manned space exploration.

Prizes: Grand Prize: Publication, “normal paying rates for professional story submittals” and prize package. 2nd & 3rd: 1 year membership in the National Space Society.

Deadline: February 1, 2011

Fees: None

http://www.williamledbetter.com/contest.htm

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The Second Annual Bartleby Snopes Writing Contest

Compose a short story entirely of dialogue. You may use as many characters as you want but no narration. Your entry must be under 2000 words.

Prizes: 1st: $385 (or more) 2nd: $25. 3rd-5th: $10

Deadline: September 12, 2010

Fees: $10

http://www.bartlebysnopes.com/contests.htm

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Page-to-Screen Short Story Contest

Submit a short story under 10,000 words (under 30 pages), along with a cover letter.

Prizes: 1st: Publication and featured author slot on TheNervousBreakdown.com, an Amazon Kindle, and Final Draft Screenwriting Software. 2nd & 3rd: Powell’s Gift Certificates. Top 10 entries will be considered for screen adaptation

Deadline: December 15, 2010

Fees: $15 plus small printing fee for stories over 9 pages.

http://www.wordhustler.com/contests/8717/WordHustlers-Page-To-Screen-Short-Story-Contest.html

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August Moon Publishing House’s Short Story Contest

The contest is open to manuscripts of 4,000 words or less. Categories are as follows: #1. Thriller/Suspense, crime fiction/mystery, science fiction/fantasy, horror. #2. Romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, chick lit. #3. Literary Fiction.

Prizes: 1st: $1000. 2nd: $500. 3rd: $100. 4th-10th: $25. Prizes are per category & all winners will be published in an anthology.

Deadline: October 31, 2010

Fees: $15 for first entry. $10 per subsequent entry.

http://www.augustmoonpublishinghouse.com/contestsubmisson.html

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Nonfiction/Essay

Last 72

What would you do if you were told you had only 72 hours to live? Share your real stories and be a part of a life-changing social experiment!

Prizes: 1st: 5,000. 2nd: $2,000. 3rd: $1,000. The top 13 essays will earn special prizes as well as the chance to appear on Last 72 television series. Selected submissions receive publication.

Deadline: October 30, 2010

Fees: None

http://www.last72.com/en

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Poetry

Poetry Society of America

11 themes, awards and limitations have been established for this contest. Themes range from Emily Dickinson to taking a stand against oppression.

Prizes: Ranging from $250 – $2500. Prizes total over $6000

Deadline: December 22, 2010

Fees: Free for PSA members, $15 for Non-Members, $5 for high school students, $20 for unlimited entries from high school administrators (one per student).

http://www.poetrysociety.org/psa/awards/annual/individual/

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T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry

Manuscripts should be between 60 and 100 pages of original poetry.

Prizes: $2,000 and publication of the winning collection under standard royalty contract.

Deadline: October 31, yearly

Fees: $25

http://tsup.truman.edu/TSEliotPrize/guidelines.asp

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The Other Voices Semi-Annual Contest

Up to five poems may be submitted.

Prizes: 1st: $250. Honorable mentions: Choice of an Other Voices tote bag, travel mug or t-shirt.