One way to gain credibility as a writer is submitting entries to contests. If nothing else, it is good exercise in writing to a specific, often general theme. And, if you win, your prowess grows along with your reputation. Most have entry fees…but the contest may also award cash prizes. Give it a shot.

Twice each year Black Lawrence Press will run the Black River Chapbook Competition for an unpublished chapbook of poems or prose between 16-36 pages in length. The contest is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner will receive book publication, a $500 cash award, and ten copies of the book.Our chapbooks are perfect-bound, feature striking cover designs, each receive an ISBN, and are distributed nationally. We treat our chapbooks just like our full-length titles in terms of aesthetics, production, publicity, and editorial love and care.Spring Submission Deadline: May 31

Vintage Wisconsin Contest

Jerry Apps was a longtime fixture in Wisconsin writing circles. We mourn his recent passing and are excited to announce a contest in his memory, titled Vintage Wisconsin.

We are seeking exclusively Wisconsin-based stories about factual people, businesses, culture, lifestyle, or events, living or past. Tell us about the lutefisk and lefsa dinners, the sheepshead tournaments, the Fourth of July parties, farm chores, cheese factories, special teacher, or inspiring family member, bobsledding, walleye fishing, church, sport, that big storm, a day on the job.

Submissions open April 1 through May 31.

Click HERE to learn submission details and mark your calendar.

Check out this one: https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/