Genre: Fiction

Short Story Award for New Writers

Masters Review
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
March 2, 2025
A prize of $3,000 and online publication in Masters Review is given biannually for a short story by an emerging writer. Writers who have not published a book or who have published a book with a circulation of fewer than 5,000 copies are eligible. The winning story is also reviewed by a select group of literary agents, including Victoria Cappello (Bent Agency), Sarah Fuentes (United Talent Agency), Andrea Morrison (Writers House), Heather Schroder (Compass Talent), Nat Sobel (Sobel Weber Associates), and Marin Takikawa (The Friedrich Agency). Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 6,000 words with a $20 entry fee by February 2. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award

Arts Literature Laboratory
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
January 31, 2025
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a book of fiction by a writer who is a resident of Wisconsin (or who has previously resided in Wisconsin for at least five years) published in the previous year. The winner will also receive a five-day stay at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts. Submit a copy of a book of any length published in 2024 with a $30 entry fee ($20 for Arts + Literature Laboratory members) by January 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Translation Projects Fellowship

National Endowment for the Arts
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
January 16, 2025
Approximately 20 grants of up to $25,000 each are given annually to translators of poetry and prose. Writers who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States and who have published, alone or in collaboration, at least 20 pages of literary translation in digital or print publications, or at least one book or other volume of translation of at least 20 pages between January 1, 2010, and January 16, 2025, are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit 10 to 15 pages of translation along with the corresponding pages from the original work, a project description, a bio, a résumé for the original author, a justification of retranslation (if applicable), a list of published translations into English, and proof of the right to translate the specified work by January 16. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Giving Gifts

The Time Is Now
12.11.24

‘Tis the season for gifting, which can come with stressful shopping lists, awkward gift exchanges, wrapped packages awaiting under the tree, and festive advent calendars full of treats. This week write a short story that revolves around a character who must prepare a holiday present for someone. Create a backstory of their relationship and consider whether unsaid expectations come from something that’s happened in the past. Does it turn out to be the perfect gift or is it way off the mark? You might decide to infuse your story with elements of comedy, horror, fantasy, or surrealism—or combine all of these tones into a new classic.

Award Series

Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
February 28, 2025
Three prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection, a short story collection, and a novel. A prize of $2,500 and publication by a participating press is also given annually for an essay collection or a memoir. For the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. For the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, submit a manuscript of 60,000 to 110,000 words. For the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript with a $30 entry fee ($20 for AWP members) by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
novel | short stories | book awards

Nimrod Literary Awards

Nimrod International Journal
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 31, 2025
Two prizes of $2,000 and publication in Nimrod International Journal are given annually for a poem or group of poems and a work of fiction. A runner-up in each category receives $1,000 and publication. The winners and runners-up are also invited to participate in a virtual awards ceremony in the fall. Submit 3 to 10 pages of poetry or a story or novel excerpt of up to 7,500 words with a $25 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Nimrod International Journal, by January 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
short stories

Fiction Prize

Autumn House Press
Entry Fee: 
$35
Deadline: 
February 28, 2025
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Autumn House Press is given annually for a book of fiction. The winner also receives a $1,500 travel and publicity grant. Alexandra Kleeman will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages of prose with a $35 entry fee by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize

North Carolina Writers’ Network
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
January 30, 2025
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a short story or a self-contained novel excerpt. The winning work of fiction is also considered for publication in Thomas Wolfe Review. John Vercher will judge. Submit a work of prose of up to 3,000 words (two copies if submitting by postal mail) with a $25 entry fee ($15 for NCWN members) by January 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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