There are so many novel and short story contests out there that it's hard to keep track of the details, particularly the all-important deadlines. Below you will find links and brief descriptions of contests, awards, residencies, and fellowships with November deadlines. For more specific information on each contest, click through to the site.
Also, 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. Browse contents for other months, or read about our criteria for judging whether it's a legitimate contest or a writing scam.
- New Rivers Press MVP Competition -- November 1
Three prizes of $1,000 each and a standard book contract for unpublished book-length manuscripts by emerging writers. Submit a manuscript of short stories, novellas, or personal essays of 100-200 pages; or a novel of up to 400 pages to New Rivers Press, MVP Competition, 1104 Seventh Avenue South, Moorhead, MN 56563. $20 entry fee. - Princeton University Alfred Hodder Fellowships -- November 1
Created specifically for humanists in the early stages of their careers, the Hodder Fellowship is awarded to two individuals per year who have demonstrated exceptional promise but have not yet received widespread recognition. Hodder Fellows spend a year in Princeton, teaching one course and pursuing independent projects. The stipend is $63,900. No entry fee. - Reed Magazine John Steinbeck Award -- November 1
$1,000 cash prize and publication in Reed Magazine for an unpublished short story of up to 6,000 words. Submit online. $15.00 entry fee. - Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards -- November 2
Enter manuscripts of 4,000 words or fewer in the following categories: romance, mystery/crime fiction, science fiction/fantasy, thriller/suspense and horror. The grand prize-winner will receive a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City, $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2011 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market. Apply online. $20 entry fee. - Roanoke Review Fiction Contest -- November 8
Prize of $1,000 for the best short story and $500 for second place; prize winner and runners-up will be published in the spring issue. Submit online or mail stories (maximum of 5,000 words) to: Roanoke Review Contest, Roanoke College, Salem, VA 24153. $15.00 entry fee. - Gold Line Press Chapbook Contest -- November 15
Win $500 and publication of a perfect-bound chapbook. The prize alternates yearly between poetry and fiction. The series is run by students and alumni of the University of Southern California’s program in Literature and Creative Writing. For 2010, Gold Line will be publishing a poetry chapbook. Apply online. $15.00 entry fee. - The Story Prize -- November 15
A prize of $20,000 for a collection of short fiction written in English and published in the past year. Publishers, authors, or agents may enter eligible works of short fiction. $75.00 entry fee for each work.
