Feeling blocked lately? Tired of the long slog of writing a novel? Have a talent for poems or dialogue and want to make a quick buck?
One of the top techniques we use in the Writing Gym to get creative juices flowing is doing short writing exercises apart from your main work in progress.
That’s right, we tell writers to stop working on their novel and write something else for a little while instead. It seems counterproductive, but it can seriously help you get out of your head, let go of expectations, and get into their creative zone. Think of it like doing scrimmages or drills before a real sports game.
Trust us, it works. There’s a reason our writers finish and publish their novels so quickly.
What if I told you that you could take an hour or two today to use this technique, not only to unlock your creativity, but also to get paid and published too?
Sounds too good to be true, right? It’s not.
We’ve curated a list of 3 writing contests with inspiring, fun prompts sure to get your creative juices flowing–and they should only take a few hours to finish. Winners can earn up to $350 PLUS publication.
Here’s a pro-tip on how to win: don’t just write the thing and submit. Talk to a professional who understands what literary journals, publishers, and contests look for in winning pieces. Our experienced writing coaches can work with you on your first 5 pages (which will cover the entire submissions for the poetry contests) to give you tailored feedback so you’re 100% ready to win. Drop yourself into our calendar to reserve your slot.
If these aren’t your thing, no worries. We put out a curated list of the latest publishing opportunities each week. Be sure to check back here in 7 days for 3 more opportunities! Or, you can get on our mailing list to have this list delivered straight to your inbox. Never miss a publishing opportunity again. Click below to sign up.
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Better Than Starbucks Sonnet Contest
Who They Are: Better Than Starbucks is “not your ordinary poetry magazine.” It is run out of Florida and was founded in 1995.
Contest Details: This contest is for a metrical sonnet. Previously published work okay, as long as you own the rights. You may submit up to 2 sonnets
Length: Sonnets are 14 lines long.
Deadline: November 30, 2020
Prize: 1st place: $350. 2nd Place: $100. 3rd Place: $50
Get more information and submit here.
Dialogue Only Contest by Black Hare Press
Who They Are: Black Hare Press is a small, independent publisher based in Melbourne, Australia. They aim to make opportunities for authors all around the globe to participate in short form story anthologies in various Speculative Fiction and Horror genres.
Contest Details: A story told in dialogue only. At least one character must be from a speculative fiction world (alien, superhero, werewolf, zombie, vampire, faerie, etc). A good example of this is The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy.
Length: About 5,000 words
Deadline: November 30, 2020
Prize: 1st place: $100. 2nd Place: $25. 3rd Place: $10, Plus Publication
Get more information and submit here.
Ekphrastic Contest: Write a Poem on This Photograph by the Society of Classical Poets
Who They Are: The Society of Classical Poets aims to “preserve humankind’s artistic traditions; to reestablish poetry as one of the most widely appreciated forms of literature, communication, and entertainment; to increase appreciation of centuries of rhyming or metered poetry; to support poets who apply classical techniques in modern poetry through publication and performance opportunities and awards; and to advance language arts in education and culture.” They publish a journal of poetry.
Contest Details:
Above is a recent photograph of Chateau Boswell, a winery, vineyard, and tasting room located in California. It has suffered terribly because of the recent “Glass Fire” in Napa Valley. Write a poem based on the above photo. You may submit up to 2 poems.
Length: Any length
Deadline: November 8, 2020 by midnight EST.
Prize: $100
Get more information and submit here.
Is your work good enough to win these contests?
Contests are, by nature, highly competitive. Are you 100% confident your work is the best of the best?
We help writers hone their craft so they can feel confident about submitting their work to even the most competitive contests out there. We’ve had many of our writers win contests, like Lauren and Dana. If you’re serious about publishing and winning writing contests over and over again, you can speak to a member of our team to learn more about our programs. Book a call here.