The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest

Dream Quest One is sponsoring Poetry and Writing (Fiction/Non-Fiction) Contests. In their own words:

Deadline: December 31, 2008
Open to anyone who loves to express their innermost thoughts and feeling into the beautiful art of poetry or to write a short story that is worth telling everyone! And to all who have the ability to dream. Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original.
Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed. And/or write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed. Multiple poetry and short story entries are accepted. All winners will be announced on January 31, 2009.
Prizes:

• Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100.
• Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50.

Entry fees: Writing Contest entry fee: $10 per short story.
Poetry Contest entry fee: $5 per poem.
To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: “DREAMQUESTONE.COM” Mail to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654
Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for further details or to enter!

What's The Worst That Could Happen?

If you've been through a particularly harrowing experience, a nightmare road trip where everything that could go wrong did, the Road Junky 2008 Travel Writing Contest -- Hell Trips is the perfect contest for you! They want to hear about your worst journeys, your near-death experiences, where you were beaten up, robbed, extorted, heartbroken or brainwashed. There's no fee to enter this contest from the dark side of life on the road, and the deadline's not until December 31, 2008, so there's plenty of time to figure out the best way to approach and describe for maximum effect. Not only that, there are prizes to be won!

• First Prize: $400
• Second Prize: $200
• Third Prize: $100

Also, if they choose to print your story in an anthology, you will get paid decent royalties. Send your 800 to 1500 word non-fiction story to editor(at)roadjunky(dot)com, and be sure to put "2008 Travel Contest" in the subject. Please go to their website to check out the rest of the contest guidelines.

Peace, Love and Rock 'n' Roll: Woodstock Revisited

Where were you in 1969? If you were at Woodstock and can come up with a true 850 to 1100 word story, you might want to submit it to Literary Cottage's Woodstock Revisited Anthology Contest. You'll have to hurry, though: the deadline is September 7, 2008. Adams Media will pay authors $100 per story, plus one copy of the anthology. Not only that, Literary Cottage offers prizes!

• 1st Prize: $100
• 2nd Prize: $75
• 3rd Prize: $50

So, if you were there and can remember the experience, or if you know someone who was (they are also accepting "as told to" stories), write from the heart, tell your story with imagery and humor, end with a satisfying conclusion, and email your story to sreynolds(at)literarycottage(dot)com. They have many guidelines for submissions as well as tips for writing a fabulous story, so please go to their website and check them out.

The Best Advice You Ever Had ~

FundsforWriters, (and its annual sponsor IdeaWeaver), is announcing its 7th Annual FundsforWriters Essay Contest. FundsforWriters changes its theme every year; this year they are offering two topics to choose from that have one thing in common: write about the best advice you ever had.

• Topic 1: The Best Advice I Ever Had and Ignored
• Topic 2: The Best Advice I Ever Had and Followed.

FundsforWriters is "all about the writer," so your essay should be writing-related, or, at least will tie back into a writing lesson. The deadline is October 31, 2008, essays should be 750 words or less, and you have both No Fee and $5 Entry Fee options, (the $5 entry fee option has bigger prizes). Those that select the $5 entry fee option will also receive the ebook of their choice.
$5 Entry Fee Category:

• First Place: $200
• Second Place: $20 - and a free copy of IdeaWeaver software (a $49.95 value)
• Third Place: $10

No Entry Fee Category:

• First Place: $50
• Second Place: $20
• Third Place: $20

The same piece cannot be entered in both categories. Submit your entry in the body of an email to hope(at)fundsforwriters(dot)com. Please go to their website for the rest of the contest guidelines and to read previous winning essays.

Is It Truly Better To Have Loved And Lost?

No matter how you answer that question, you probably have a short story, either written or not-yet-written, that could illustrate your point. If you do, If Only I Could Tell You ... Where Past Loves and Current Intimacy Meet is sponsoring it's 2nd annual Past Loves Day contest whose deadline isn't until midnight, August 17, 2008. Tell them, in no more than 700 words, as though you were telling a best friend, about how this past love influenced your life.

• First Prize: $100
• Second Prize: $75
• Third Prize: $50

All winners and Honorable Mentions will receive a copy of If Only I Could Tell You ... Where Past Loves and Current Intimacy Meet. Winners will also have their stories posted (anonymously, if requested) on their website.
Send your entry to: contest(at)ourpastloves(dot)com or: CONTEST, Spruce Mountain Press, 61 Katuah Road, Plainfield, VT 05667.
Winners will be announced on Past Loves Day, September 17, 2008. There is no fee to enter.

52 Perfect Days 2008 Travel Writing Contest

Do you know of an "off-the-beaten-track" area of the United States? If so, you are invited to submit a travel article to the First Annual 52 Perfect Days Travel Writing Contest. 52PerfectDays.com is looking for 750 to 1500 word submissions written by authors who have firsthand knowledge of an undiscovered section of city, or a relatively unheard of town or experience. Articles should appeal to those who enjoy U.S. travel and are willing to get a bit adventurous. Whether you want to explore the ethnic foods in a certain section of town, backpacking in a remote location, or know of a coastal town yet to be discovered, they want to know your story! Share how to spend a perfect day in the location of your choice. They're not interested in travelogues or diaries, but do tell them what makes your location unique or why is it off the main travel radar and why it is worth a visit. You have until October to submit your entry to travelwritingcontest(at)52perfectdays(dot)com.

• First Place Prize is $150
• Second Place Prize is $75
• Third Place Prize is $25

So, whether you are a freelancer, professional writer, or just looking for an excuse to finally write about your travels, this NO-FEE contest could be perfect for you. Please check out their website for the rest of the contest guidelines.

Cat Short Story Contest ~ Got Feline Fiction?

For all of the kitty-loving writers, Fireside Publications of Florida is sponsoring a Cat Short Story Contest. If you have 3,000 words or less dedicated to the furry feline(s) in your life, you may get the chance to see your four-pawed friend immortalized in print. Twenty to twenty-five winning stories will be published after all the stories have been selected, and the winners will receive a complimentary copy of the book. Submit your story, (fiction or non-fiction), and a $2 registration fee, as soon as possible to: Cat Short Story Contest, Fireside Publications, 1004 San Felipe Lane, Suite 200, The Villages, Florida, 32159. The deadline is June 30, 2008. Please go to their website for the rest of the contest guidelines.

Narrative Prize

Narrative Magazine is holding a fabulous writing competition. According to their site:

"The $4,000 Narrative Prize will be awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative.

The deadline for entries for each year’s award is June 15.

The winner is announced each September, and the prize is awarded in October.

Notices of the award, citing the winner’s name and the title and genre of the winning piece, will be placed in prominent literary periodicals. Each winner will also be cited in an ongoing listing in Narrative. The prize will be given to the best work published each year in Narrative by a new or emerging writer, as judged by the magazine’s editors. In some years, the prize may be divided between winners, when more than one work merits the award.

All submissions are carefully considered for publication. To submit your work for the Narrative Prize, please see the submission form below or visit our Submission Guidelines page.

Submissions by new and emerging writers are eligible for the prize, and we accept submissions year-round. For further information, please read our Submission Guidelines."

For We Women Of "A Certain Age ..."

Here's a contest for women over 50 -- as one of which, I'm always pleased to see these; makes me think there's something to the idea that wisdom comes with age, and that there are actually people interested in reading about our insights. With that in mind, for those of us to whom this applies, The Portia Steele Award Organization is accepting submissions for their Third Annual Award for Excellence in Poetry, and Award for Excellence in Prose for 2008. There's no entry fee, and each award will be $100.

• Poetry should be no longer than one and one-half pages, double spaced.
• Prose should be no longer than 500 words, with the word count noted on the first page. Fiction or non-fiction is acceptable.
• Use Microsoft Word File Format
• Must be double-spaced and use 12-point Ariel or Times Roman
• Unpublished Poetry and Prose only
• One submission per category only
• Entries may be on any subject
  

Entries will be accepted via email only between 2/14/2008 and 4/15/2008. Send an attachment of your MS Word cover letter with your contact information and your poetry or prose submission with no contact information on the submission (Please) to contest@portiasteeleaward.org. You may also contact them via this email address with any questions or concerns that aren't addressed on their website.

Can You Come Up With Answers? Of Course!!

Common Ties asks the world 20 questions. They pair the answers with art and publish their favorite 10 every Friday. Your answers, which may be prose or poetry, should be 50 words or less, and answers paired with art have a greater chance of acceptance. The current questions are:

1. What door do you wish you never opened?
2. What is your most obsessive thought?
3. What is your favorite place in the world, and why?
4. What's the one thing your parents don't understand about you?
5. If you could relive a single day or moment, what would it be?
6. What were the strangest circumstances under which you have been intimate?
7. Under what circumstances have you been closest to death?
8. What is the most gracious act of kindness you have witnessed?
9. What is the worst betrayal you have ever experienced?
10. What is the most bizarre thing you have ever seen or done?
11. What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
12. What is your earliest, most vivid memory?
13. What is the most meaningful "I love you" spoken by you or to you?
14. What was the single most terrifying moment of your life?
15. If you have experienced a moment of sudden faith or loss of faith, what prompted it?
16. If you could take back one thing you have done, what would it be?
17. What is your greatest talent or accomplishment?
18. What is the most joyful moment you have experienced?
19. What is the most painful moment you have experienced?
20. Open Question: Submit your own question and answer. No answer is off-limits, and it can be on any personal theme. Here is a sample list of 20: abortion, addiction, adolescence, break-ups, crime, death, depression, eating disorders, humor, lucky breaks, mental disorders, moral dilemmas, pets, poverty, racism, religion, sex, suicide, turning points, war.

These would be inspirational starting points even if there weren't the chance of publication and payment!! Please go to their website for further guidelines and how to submit.

Remember Those Who Forget - The Early Onset Project ~

Those of us who are aware of the immense therapeutic benefits of writing may be especially drawn to this request for submissions by The Early Onset Alzheimer's Project. They have already published one anthology, "The Alzheimer's Anthology of Unconditional Love: Early Onset Dementia," which focused on the 110,000 people in Missouri affected by this disease. Their goal now is to create awareness of how many Americans are affected, and to let these people know where to go for help, that they are not alone. They are seeking true stories about persons with Early-Onset Alzheimer's and Early-Onset Dementia, which develops in people under age 65. There is no entry fee, and the deadline is June 30, 2008. Authors of stories selected will receive a free copy of the publication. Although no other payment will be made, stories will automatically be entered in a contest:

• First Prize: $100
• Second Prize: $50
• Third Prize: $25
• Honorable Mention: $10

You may submit more than one story for consideration, but only one prize will be awarded for each author, and your work should be no more than 2500 words. Stories deemed to be fiction will be automatically disqualified. Please go to their website for complete submission guidelines, and to learn more about this wonderfully thoughtful and heroic enterprise!

Camp Quest West Essay Contest

If you are a middle school student, or you know a writer who is, this contest might interest you: Camp Quest West is announcing an essay contest whose winner will receive a free campership at Camp Quest West 2008, valued at $390! Simply write a short essay, between 200 and 400 words, on any one of the following intriguing questions:

1. Should Intelligent Design be taught in public schools along with evolution? Why or why not?
2. What, if anything, does evolution tell us about the interconnectedness of life and how we should treat each other?
3. Is science the only way of knowing about the universe, or are there other ways? Explain.

The submitted essay must be entirely the work of a middle school student, with the exception of attributed quotations. Any work that does not meet these qualifications will be disqualified and the deadline is March 15, 2008. Please go to the Camp Quest West website for the application form.
Camp Quest West 2008, for campers aged 8 through 15, will be held at Camp Ross Relles in Nevada City, California, from Sunday July 13 to Saturday July 19. In addition, campers aged 16 and 17 are welcome as "staff in training,"

2nd Annual Mothering Heights Mother's Day Essay Contest

Mothering Heights wants to know what you know now as a mom that you'd wish you'd known before becoming a parent. What wry, witty, honest and personal observations would you share with Mother and Mothers-to-be everywhere? The second annual Mother's Day Essay Contest submission deadline is February 15, and they are accepting essays from around the world. Essays must be

• 1,000 to 1,500 words
• In English
• Original content
• Include a 100 to 150-word bio on the author

Twenty essays will be chosen to be featured in a book to be published for Mother's Day 2008. Each featured writer will receive a Mothering Heights Tiara and three copies of the book. Please go to their website for further details and submission guidelines.

Do You Have Real Memories of Real Winters?

The Write Helper is accepting submissions for their "Dead of Winter" Non-Fiction Contest. Since it is a non-fiction contest, ("Just the facts, ma'am"), please send only memoirs, essays, articles and prose in which the facts can be verified. There is a $5 fee per entry, (maximum of 3 entries), up to 2000 words each. Go to their website to see the complete contest guidelines. Every entry will receive a free critique. To receive a thorough line edit, provide an additional $5. Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2008.

• 1st place -- $70
• 2nd place -- $35
• 3rd place -- $20

Premier Book Awards

Premier Book Awards is now accepting entries for the 2008 Awards in both fiction and non-fiction.

With so many new titles published every year it is increasingly difficult for any given title to stand out. One of the best ways for a book to gain credibility, exposure, and increased sales is to win an award for writing excellence.

These awards were established to recognize meritorious works by writers who self-published or had their books published by a small press or independent book publisher. POD books are welcome. The contest is open to selected book length fiction and non-fiction titles with a 2007 or 2008 copyright, published in the English language and targeted for an adult audience in the North American market. There are $100 cash awards for the winners in each category, plus a $500 award each for the best fiction and best non-fiction of the year. Winners also receive a certificate suitable for framing and Premier Book Awards will issue a press release to announce the achievement. Check out the website for details: www.PremierBookAwards.com