Contests

EVENT magazine (BC) invites submissions for its annual Creative Non-Fiction contest. $1500 plus in prizes plus publication. Length: 5000 words max. Deadline: April 15, 2012. Entry fee: $34.95 (includes subscription).

Entries are invited for Writers' Village winter 2012 'Best Writing' competition (UK). First prize: £400 ($660); additional prizes available. Any genre. Length: 3000 words max. Entry fee: £10 ($16) per story. International entries are welcome. Deadline: March 31, 2012.

Entries are invited for the 2012 Columbia: A Journal of Literature and Art Writing Contest. $500 prizes in each genre: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Also publication in their 50th issue. Entry fee: US$14 (includes a copy of Journal 50). Deadline: February 1, 2012.

Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW) is seeking entries for its 14th Annual Writing Contest in four categories: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and children's story. First prize: $125. Deadline: March 25, 2012. Entry fee: $10.

Entries are invited for The New Quarterly Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest. Prize: $1,000. Submit essays of any length, on any topic, in which the writer's personal engagement with the topic provides the frame or through-line. Canadian writers only. Deadline: March 28, 2012. Entry Fee: $40 (includes subscription).

The New Quarterly invites entries for the Nick Blatchford Occasional Verse Contest. Prize: $1,000 'for one glorious poem.' Theme: poems of occasion, either personal or public, or poems that make of something an occasion or simply mark one. Deadline: February 28, 2012. Entry fee: $40 (includes subscription) for up to 2 unpublished poems. $5 each for additional poems.

The Malahat Review invites entries for their 2012 Novella Prize. Prize: $1500. Length: 10000-20000 words. No restrictions as to genre, subject matter, or aesthetic approach. Deadline: February 1, 2012. Entry fee: $35-$45 (includes subscription).

Entries are open for the Grain Magazine's Annual Short Grain Writing Contest. Deadline: April 1, 2012. Poetry: 100 lines max, any style. Fiction and Post Card Stories: 2500 words max. Entry fee: $35-$40 (includes subscription).

Arc Poetry Magazine invites entries for its 2012 Poem of the Year contest. Grand prize: $5000. Deadline: February 1, 2012. Entry fee: $32 (Cdn), which includes a one-year subscription.

The Friends of the Merril Short Story Contest (Canada) is open to entries. First prize: $350. Accepts Spec Fic (SF/F/H, Magic Realism, etc.) short fiction only. Length: 2500 words max. Deadline: February 15, 2012. International entries welcomed. Entry fee: $5.

Prism International (BC) welcomes entries for their 2012 literary contests. Literary Non-Fiction Contest: First prize of $1500; deadline: November 30, 2011. Short Fiction Contest: First prize of $2000; deadline: January 27, 2012. Poetry Contest: First prize of $1000; deadline January 27, 2012. Entry fee: $28 (includes subscription).

Entries are being accepted for the 2011 Bristol Short Story Prize (UK). Length: 3000 words max. First prize: £1000. Anthology publication for top 20 shortlist. Entry fee: £7. Deadline: March 31, 2012.

Entries are invited for the Friends of the Merril Short Story Contest. First prize: $350 (CDN). Spec Fic (SF/F/H, Magic Realism, etc.) short fiction only (max. 2500 words). Deadline: February 15, 2012. International entries welcomed. Entry fee: $5.

Cha (China, UK) invites entries for its "Encountering" Poetry Contest. First prize: £50; additional prizes available. Deadline: January 15, 2012.

Summer Literary Seminars welcomes entries to its 2012 Unified Literary Contest. First place winners in fiction and poetry receive publication in The Warlus Online and Black Warrior Review, as well as an all-expense paid trip to one of their programs in Kenya, Eastern Europe or Montreal. Deadline: February 28, 2012 Entry fee: $15USD.

Briarpatch Magazine (Canada) welcome entries short fiction and creative non-fiction (memoir, personal essay, literary journalism) for their first creative writing contest. Length: 2500 words max. Deadline December 1, 2011. Entry fee: $25/$40 (includes subscription). $600 in cash prizes.

The Fiddlehead (Canada) invites entries for its annual contest in two categories: poetry and short fiction. Prizes: $1500, $500, $500 (+ pub. payment). One entry consists of either 1 story (6000 words max) or 3 poems (each 100 lines max). Entry fee (includes subscription): $30-$36. Deadline: December 1, 2011.

The Ontario Poetry Society is seeking rhyming and free verse poems for the To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme Poetry Contes. First prize in each category: $100. Top 20 poems to appear in a chapbook. Entry fee: $5 for 1 poem or 3 poems for $10. Deadline: October 30, 2011 (extended)

The Dream Quest One.com invites international entries for their Poetry & Writing Contest. Accepting poems (30 lines max.) and short stories (5 pages max.) on any subject or theme. First prize poetry: $250US; first prize short fiction: $500US. Entry fees: $5US (poetry) and $10US (fiction). Deadline: December 31, 2011.

Accenti: The Magazine with an Italian Accent announces its 7th Annual Writing Contest. First prize: $1000. Contest is open to fiction and nonfiction on any topic. Submissions in English, 2000 words max. are welcomed from writers, established and emerging, worldwide. Deadline: February 7, 2012. Entry fee: $20. Guidelines

Little Lark Press (Canada) seeks poetry about addiction for an upcoming anthology titled: The Whole Desolate Day (Late 2011 to early 2012 release). Deadline: December 31, 2011. Submission fee: $3. More

Entries are open for the The Washington Pastime Literary Prize. Literary and genre fiction, 15,000 words max. First prize: up to US$500 and publication. Young writers prize also available. Deadline: December 31, 2011. Entry fee: US$10. More

The Association of Italian Canadian Writers (AICW) welcomes entries for their 2011 Flash Fiction Contest. Theme: I’m just a stranger here myself – finding one’s bearings in a strange time, place or condition. Language: English, French, or Italian. Length: 500 words max. First prize: $500; Second prize: $250. Entry fee: $20 ($22 via PayPal). Deadline: October 31, 2011. Open internationally to writers of any cultural affiliation. More

Entries are invited for the Writers' Community of Durham Region Whispered Words themed prose contest. Prizes: $1000, $400, and $200. Winners, HM's and selected others to be published in Whispered Words anthology. Written feedback with each entry. Deadline: November 30, 2011. Fee: $20 ($25 international). More

FreeFall Magazine (AB) invites entries for its 2010 Annual Prose & Poetry Contest. First prize: $300. Poems: up to 5; fiction: 4000 words max. No theme. Entry fee: $20 (includes subscription). Deadline: December 30, 2011. More

Mill Street Books (ON) is looking for true short stories that will inspire, encourage and entertain bicycle enthusiasts during Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month. Three age categories from 13 years and up. Deadline: May 30, 2011. First prize: $100 gift certificate (adults); $25 gift certificate (under 19). Entry fee: $10 (adults), $5 (under 19). More

OCW Magazine is looking across Canada for writing on local arts and culture communities to contribute to their "Perspectives" blog. Seeks 500 word articles with advance contact with editor to establish topic and post date. More