To submit the names of contests and awards for the month that I may have missed, please email me at fictionwriting.guide@about.com. To check out contests for other months, return to the list of months. And read about our criteria for judging whether it's a legitimate contest or a writing scam.
- Chicago Tribune Nelson Algren Awards -- February 1
The Nelson Algren awards are for short fiction. Submissions must be written by an American and must be unpublished. One $5,000 prize and three runner-up prizes of $1,500 are awarded. The award is given in memory of Chicago author Nelson Algren. Stories must be typed and double-spaced, between 2,500 and 10,000 words. Chicago Tribune Nelson Algren Awards, 435 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. No entry fee. - Devil’s Kitchen Reading Awards in Poetry and Prose -- February 1
Awards of $1,000 to one book of poetry and one book of prose published in the previous year. Winning authors will present a public reading and participate in panels at the Devil’s Kitchen Fall Literary Festival. Entries may be submitted by either author or publisher. Send all materials to: Devil’s Kitchen Reading Awards/GRASSROOTS, Dept. of English, Mail Code 4503, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1000 Faner Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901. $15.00 entry fee. - United States/Japan Creative Artists Program -- February 1
Each year leading contemporary and traditional artists from the United States spend five months in Japan as part of the United States/Japan Creative Artists Program. Each artist will receive a monthly stipend of 400,000 yen for living expenses, 100,000 yen a month as a housing supplement, and up to 100,000 yen a month for professional support services, and up to $6,000 for round-trip transportation for the artist, domestic partner and / or unmarried children, and a baggage/storage allowance, and pre-departure Japanese language study in the United States. Apply to Japan-US Friendship Commission, 1201 15th Street, NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20005. - Western Michigan University
Prague Summer Program Fellowships and Scholarships -- February 1
Three fellowships to attend the Prague Summer Program will be awarded annually to writers who have published no more than one book to attend the four-week creative writing conference held each July in partnership with Charles University. Scholarships of $1,000 also awarded. A published writer must nominate the applicant. Apply online. $20 entry fee. - Library of Virginia Literary Awards -- February 8
The Library of Virginia and the Library of Virginia Foundation sponsor the annual Library of Virginia literary awards to honor outstanding Virginia authors and books about Virginia in the areas of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Any individual, organization, or company may nominate books to be considered. Winners in each category receive a $3,500 prize and engraved crystal book. Each year's awards honor books written in the previous calendar year. Entry forms can be completed online or sent to The Library of Virginia Literary Awards, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000. No entry fee. - Sarabande Books Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction -- February 15
The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction includes a $2,000 cash award, publication of a collection of short stories, novellas, or a short novel, and a standard royalty contract. Send entries to: The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, Sarabande Books, Inc., PO Box 4456, Louisville KY 40204, $25.00 entry fee.
