For general information about getting your work out there, see articles on how to publish your short stories -- and how to know if you're even ready to publish.
To submit the names of contests and awards for the month that I may have missed, please email me at fictionwriting.guide@about.com. Or read about our criteria for judging whether it's a legitimate contest or a writing scam.
- American Library Association W. Y. Boyd Literary Award -- December 1
An annual award of $5,000 and a 24k gold-framed citation of achievement honoring the best fiction set in a period when the United States was at war. Novel must have been published during the year prior to the award, and incidents of war must constitute the main plot of the story or provide the setting. Publishers or authors send seven copies of the application and the book to: ALA Awards Program, Governance Office, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. No fee. - American Short Fiction Short Story Contest -- December 1
Submit unpublished stories of 6,000 words or less. First prize is $1,000 + publication; 2nd place winner receives $500. Submit online. $20 fee. - Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown Fellowships -- December 1
Fellowships for a 7-month residency at the Fine Arts Work Center are awarded annually to 10 writers. Each fellowship includes an apartment and a monthly stipend of $650. Submit application, personal statement, and 8 copies of up to 35 pages of fiction to Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, 24 Pearl Street, Provincetown, MA 02657. $45.00 application fee. - Human Rights Watch
Hellman/Hammett Grants -- December 1
Grants of $1,000 to $10,000 each are given annually to writers in financial need as a result of political persecution. Submit nominations to Human Rights Watch, Hellman/Hammett Grants, 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10118-3299. No entry fee. - John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowships for Latin America and the Caribean -- December 1
Provides fellowships for advanced professionals in all fields, including creative arts. See the site for an application or write John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, 90 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. - Langum Project for Historical Literature Fiction Prize -- December 1
A prize of $1,000 each for for for the best historical fiction published in the preceding year. Send three copies of each book to The Langum Charitable Trust, 2809 Berkeley Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242. David Langum, Sr., Director: djlangum@samford.edu. - NYFA Artists' Fellowships -- December 1
Artists' Fellowships are $7,000 cash awards made to individual artists living and working in New York State. There are no restrictions on the use of the money, which is for work already accomplished. The literature prize alternates between fiction and poetry; the 2010-2011 cycle is for poetry and book arts. (Visual arts deadline is November 30.) See the NYFA website for application and guidelines. No entry fee. - Phillips Exeter Academy George Bennett Fellowship -- December 1
Provides time and freedom from material considerations to a person seriously pursuing a career as a writer. It provides a stipend (at present $13,000) for one academic year, as well as housing and meals for this person and family, at Academy expense. Send application and personal statement to Bennett Fellowship, Phillips Exeter Academy, 20 Main Street, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833-2460. $10.00 entry fee. - Pushcart Press Prizes -- December 1
Publication in The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses is awarded annually for the best literary works published by small presses in the current calendar year. Little magazine and small book press editors may make up to six nominations from the year’s publications: send tear sheets or photocopies to Pushcart Press, Pushcart Prizes, P.O. Box 380, Wainscott, NY 11975. (631) 324-9300. No entry fee. - Smink Works Books Short Story Competition -- December 1
SMINK WORKS IS NOT HOLDING THE CONTEST IN 2010. A prize of $100 to a work of short fiction written in accordance with a given philosophical theme. Open to writers internationally. 1,000 word maximum. Stand-out stories are published in an anthology. Submit stories via email to shortstorycomp [at] sminkworks [dot] com. $10 entry fee.