Fiction Writing

Short Story Contest Deadlines for Fiction Writers

Starcherone Books Fiction Prize -- February 15
Starcherone Books offers $1000 and publication to story collections, novels, or indeterminate prose works of up to 400 pages. All finalists will be considered for publication with Starcherone Books. Please mail to: STARCHERONE FICTION PRIZE, Starcherone Books, P.O. Box 303, Buffalo, NY 14201-0303. Writers may also apply electronically. $30.00 entry fee.

Vermont Studio Center Fellowship Competition -- February 17
VSC is a community of serious artists and writers at all levels of professional development who come from across the U.S. and around the world for 2 to 12 week residencies. There are three yearly deadlines for full fellowships. Send an SASE, e-mail, or visit the Web site for the required application and complete guidelines. Vermont Studio Center, Fellowship Competition, P.O. Box 613, Johnson, VT 05656. (802) 635-2727. $25 application fee.

Artist Trust Grants for Artist Project (GAP) -- February 20
Grants of $1500 awarded to artists of all disciplines in Washington State. A multidisciplinary panel of artists and arts professionals select GAP recipients. Applications available on their website.

Association of Writers & Writing Programs Award Series Grace Paley Prize in Short Fiction and Prize in the Novel -- February 28
Awards of $4,000 and publication for book-length manuscripts. Submit mss to AWP Award Series in Short Fiction, The Association of Writers & Writing Programs, Carty House, Mail Stop 1E3, George Mason University, Fairfax , VA 22030-4444. $25.00 entry fee.

The Ledge Fiction Awards Competition -- February 28
Three prizes of $1,000, $250, and $100, each with publication, for stories of no more than 7,500 words. Send entries to: The Ledge Fiction Awards, 40 Maple Avenue, Bellport, NY 11713. $10 fee. $20.00 subscription gains free entry.

Summer Literary Seminars in Russia and Kenya -- February 28
SLS RUSSIA ON HIATUS UNTIL 2010. Airfare, accommodations, and tuition to attend the Summer Literary Seminars program in Russia or in Kenya, and publication in one of several North American magazines, are given annually for an unpublished poem and works of fiction and nonfiction. Submit a short story or novel excerpt of up to 25 pages to: Summer Literary Seminars, KENYA & RUSSIA Fiction/Nonfiction/Poetry Contest (please indicate genre), PO Box 16, Brooklyn, NY 11222. (Please see site if submitting from Canada.) $15.00 entry fee.

The Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellowships for Writers -- February 28
$27,000 fellowships for writers who have completed an MFA or PhD in creative writing but have not published a book. The Institute invites six writers to spend one academic year in residence teaching one creative writing course each semester and giving one public reading from work in progress. Submit up to 10 pages of poetry or one story of up to 30 pages to Ron Kuka, The Program in Creative Writing, Department of English, 6195B Helen C. White Hall, 600 North Park St., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706. $45.00 application fee.

WOW! Women On Writing Winter Flash Fiction Contest -- February 29
WOW! hosts a (quarterly) writing contest (sponsored by W.W. Norton) every three months. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants. Submit stories between 250-750 words. The first prize is $200. See site for guidelines. Only first 300 entries will be accepted. $10.00 entry fee.