Summer's here, but there are actually more deadlines for writing contests this month than last. As usual, the basics are here; click through to details. Also, see articles on how to publish your short stories -- and how to know if you're even ready to publish.
Want to plan for other months? View lists of short story contests for the rest of the year.
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, click here. Or read about our criteria for judging whether it's a legitimate contest or a writing scam.
- The American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes -- June 1
Awards of $1,000 and $2,000 for the best translations of poetry, fiction, drama or literary prose written by a Scandinavian author born after 1800. Winners will be published in <i>Scandinavian Review.</i> Entries should be sent to: The Translation Prize Competition, The American-Scandinavian Foundation, 58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. - The Chicano/Latino Literary Prize -- June 1
NOT ACCEPTING NOVELS UNTIL 2011. SEE SITE FOR POETRY AND DRAMA. The Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of California, Irvine, is currently accepting submissions for its novel prize. Send unpublished novels of at least 225 pages to: University of California, Irvine, Chicano/Latino Literary Prize, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, 322 Humanities Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-5276. No fee. - Indiana Review "1/2 K" Prize -- June 1
$1000 honorarium and publication for short-shorts and prose poems under 500 words. Submit electronically or send entries to "1/2 K" Prize/Indiana Review, Ballantine Hall 465, 1020 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405-7103. $15 reading fee includes subscription. - Lewis Galantière Translations Award -- June 1
The Lewis Galantière Award is bestowed in even-numbered years for a distinguished book-length literary translation from any language, except German, into English. (The Ungar German Translation Award is given in odd-numbered years.) To be eligible for the award, the book-length literary translation must be translated from any language, except German, into English and published in the United States in 2008 or 2009. Winner receives $1,000, a certificate of recognition, and up to $500 toward expenses for attending the ATA 51st Annual Conference in Denver, CO. Publishers must submit nominees. - The Society of Southwestern Authors Writing Contest -- June 1
Submit a short story or personal essay of 1500 words or less or poems of 40 lines maximum. Awards of $250, $125, or $75, with $25 for honorable mentions. See site or email Mike Rom at info[AT]ssa-az.org. Entry fee: $10. - Sonora Review Short Essay Contest -- June 1
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Sonora Review is given annually for a concentrated essay. Send a work of unpublished nonfiction of up to 1,000 words to Sonora Review Contest, Department of English, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. $15 reading fee. - Booktrust
BBC National Short Story Award -- June 15
The BBC National Short Story Award is the largest award for a single short story in the world. The author of the winning story receives £15,000. The runner-up receives £3,000, and £500 is awarded to each of the authors of the other three shortlisted stories. See site for details. - The Chelsea Awards for Short Fiction -- June 15
The literary journal Chelsea awards $1,000 and publication for a work of fiction, not to exceed 30 typed pages, or about 7,500 words. The editors welcome both traditional and experimental fiction. Mail entries to: Chelsea Awards Competition, PO Box 773, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276-0773. $15.00 entry fee. - Pulitzer Prizes -- June 15
One prize of $10,000 given annually to a U.S. writer to honor the most distinguished book of fiction published in the U.S. during the preceding year. Submit an author biography and photograph and four copies of the book to: Pulitzer Prizes, Poetry and Fiction Prizes, Columbia University, 709 Journalism Building, 2950 Broadway, New York, NY 10027. (212) 854-3841. $50 entry fee. - Towson Prize for Literature -- June 15
Established in 1979 with a grant from Alice and Franklin Cooley, the Towson University Prize for Literature is awarded annually for a single book or book-length manuscript of fiction, poetry, drama or imaginative non-fiction by a Maryland writer. The $1,000 prize is granted on the basis of literary and aesthetic excellence. Submit to: Dr. Edwin Duncan, Chair, Department of English, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252-0001. - Vermont Studio Center Full Fellowships -- June 15
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 two- to 12-week residencies. VSC offers private studios, housing, three meals daily, and access to visiting artists and writers. Full Fellowships, awarded on the basis of merit, enable artists and writers to come to VSC for four weeks at no fee. Apply to: Vermont Studio Center, Full Fellowship Competition, P.O. Box 613, Johnson, VT 05656. writing@vermontstudiocenter.org. $25 application fee.