Writing Competitions & Book Fairs April 2016

Time to start writing and/or submitting your work for these April 2016 Deadlines!

Remember, continually promoting your book leads to greater awareness, increased sales and sometimes to opportunities you could never have imagined…

Here are the latest writing competitions and book fairs for you to consider – they each have deadlines of April 2016.

…and if you need any help or support, just reach out and we will be happy to assist wherever we can!

Btw, there is a larger than normal number of poetry competitions this month, but scroll through and you will find just about every genre listed, as well as an interesting array of book fairs for you to attend.

Kay Snow Writing Contest

http://willamettewriters.org/submit-your-writing/kay-snow-writing-contest/
April 30, 2016
The purpose of this annual writing contest, named in honor of Willamette Writers’ founder, Kay Snow, is to help writers reach professional goals in writing through a broad array of categories, and also to encourage student writers. In addition to cash prizes, winners will be listed on the Willamette Writers website, are honored at our Willamette Writers Conference held annually in August, and are automatically considered for publication in Willamette Writers’ new literary journal.

Self-Published Book Awards

http://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards
April 1, 2016
Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. Writer’s Digest hosts the 24th annual self-published competition–the Annual Self-Published Book Awards. This self-published competition, co-sponsored by Book Marketing Works, LLC spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors.

1st Annual New Deal Writer’s Competition

http://livingstonarts.org/new-deal-writing-competition/
April 1, 2016
The New Deal Writer’s Competition is a short story competition where the writer is asked to use a painting chosen by the staff of Livingston Arts as inspiration for their piece

Ware Poets Competition

http://www.poetrypf.co.uk/comps/ware16.pdf
April 30, 2016
The competition is open to anyone aged 16 or over.

2016 Bristol Short Story Prize

http://intercompetition.com/index.php/writing/ad/2016-bristol-short-story-prize
April 30, 2016
“The maximum length of submissions is 4,000 words, there is no minimum length.
Stories can be on any theme or subject and are welcome in any style including graphic, verse or genre-based (Crime, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Children’s etc.).
All entries should be in English.”

Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize

http://www.upress.pitt.edu/renderHtmlPage.aspx?srcHtml=htmlSourceFiles/starrett.htm
April 30, 2016
“The University of Pittsburgh Press announces the Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize for a first full-length book of poems.
You have to send one copy of your manuscript on good quality white paper, with no fewer than 48 and no more than 100 typescript pages. You should also include your curriculum vitae.” “7500 Thomas Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260”

Spring 2016 Literary Festival

https://www.ohio.edu/cas/english/news-events/spring-literary-festival.cfm
April 6-8, 2016
Since 1986, The Spring Literary Festival has featured some of the world’s finest, most distinguished writers of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. The three-day festival is held in May on the Ohio University main campus in Athens, OH.

2016 Bath Short Story Award

http://bathshortstoryaward.co.uk/
April 25, 2015
“Stories can be on any theme or subject but must be original and written in English. They must also be for adult or young adult readers. Non-fiction and fiction written for children under 13 years is not eligible.
Maximum length is 2,200 words. Entries must not have been previously published in print or online, been broadcast or won a prize.”

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/wergle-flomp-humor-poetry-contest-free
April 1, 2016
Submit one poem only, with a maximum of 250 lines 351 Pleasant Street, PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060

The London Book Fair

http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/
12-14 April 2016
The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. In 2016 the fair will take place at Olympia, West London, and cover all aspects of the publishing industry.

Ver Poets

http://verpoets.org.uk/
April 30, 2016
Poems must be no more than 30 lines in length. They may be on any theme and in any form. The competition is open to anybody aged 16 or over. Competitors may submit any number of poems for a fee of £4.00 per poem, 3 poems for £10, £2 per poem thereafter.

The Prestigious Claymore Award

http://www.claymoreaward.com/
April 30, 2016
Judges will consider any subgenre of mystery or thriller. Enter the first 50 pages of any unpublished literature “P.O. Box 680759
Franklin, Tennessee 37068-0759”

Colm Toibin International Short Story Competition

http://www.focalliteraryfestival.com/the-colm-toibin-international-short-story-award/
April 1, 2016
“Entries must be between 1,800 and 2,000 words in length. Entries must be in English. Entries must be the original work of the author and must not have been previously published either in writing or electronically. Entries which have received awards in other competitions are also ineligible.” “C/- Focal @ Enniscorthy Library
Lymington Road,
Enniscorthy Co. Wexford Ireland”

International Short Story Contest

https://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/short_story_contest/
April 1, 2016
The contest is open to stories of any style and on any subject, but they must not be longer than 3,000 words. The closing date for submissions is April 1, 2016, and there is a reading fee of $9.75 / £6.50 per story. Alternatively you can enter two stories for just $8.63 / £5.75 each, three stories for only $7.50 / £5.00 each, or five stories for only $6.00 / £4.00 per story.

Momaya Press’s Short Story Competition

http://momayapress.com/momaya-short-story-competition/
April 30, 2016
Momaya Press’s Short Story Competition is open to writers of any nationality writing in English and offers the opportunity for winners to be published in the Momaya Annual Review 2016.

The Bath Novel Award

2016 http://bathnovelaward.co.uk/
April 10, 2016
Novels written for adults or young adults, first 5,000 words plus synopsis PO Box 5223, Bath, BA1 0UR, England, UK
FanStory’s Character Writing Contest
http://www.fanstory.com/contestdetails.jsp?id=102630 April 29, 2016 “Write a short story that includes a character that is part of the scene pictured below. Creative approaches are welcomed. We are looking for ‘Vivid Characterization’ – well-defined, rich characterization. These are characters you can vividly hear, see, smell and care about as they are created by the writer. Minimum length 700 words. Maximum Length 7,000 words. Recommended length 2,000 – 3,500 words “

The Story House Ireland Presents “Poetry: The Craft”

http://www.poetryireland.ie/writers/opportunities/the-story-house-ireland-presents-poetry-the-craft
April 11, 2016
Coleridge said that poetry is the best words in the best order, but how do you choose the words and the order? Join experienced tutors, Nessa O’Mahony and Peter Sirr, for a week-long residential course that will guide you through the craft of writing poetry, from getting started, developing a daily practice of writing and reading, through drafting and redrafting, to finishing your work.

The Magpie Award for Poetry

http://pulpliterature.com/contests/
April 15, 2016
At Pulp Literature, we have an affinity for poetry, the hard liquor of literature. We like it strong, neat, and we don’t mind if it makes our eyes water. Our judges, will be looking for a fusion of musicality, imagery, feeling, and thought. May the best poem win!

Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry

http://www.sarabandebooks.org/morton
April 30, 2016
This contest is open to any poet of English. Employees and board members of Sarabande Books, Inc. are not eligible. Individual poems from the manuscript may have been published previously in magazines, chapbooks of less than 48 pages, or anthologies, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished. Translations and previously published collections are not eligible. To avoid conflict of interest, close friends of a judge or students in a degree-granting program with a judge are not eligible to enter a contest in the genre for which their friend or teacher is serving as judge.

2016 Poetry Chapbook Contest

http://www.omnidawn.com/contest/poetry-contests.htm
April 18, 2016
Open to all writers with no limitations on the amount of poetry a writer has published. Submissions should be 20–40 pages of poetry, not including front and back matter. (Keep in mind that this is intended to fit in a 5.5 x 7 inch published chapbook of approximately 60 pages or less, although you can submit on standard 8.5 x 11 inch pages, and we will format to fit the smaller size.) Colleagues, students, and close friends of the judge, Hoa Nguyen, are not eligible. “1632 Elm Avenue
Richmond, CA 94805-1614”
Wax Poetry and Art http://waxpoetryart.com/contests/poetry.html April 30, 2016 “The work submitted must be wholly original to the person submitting
the work.
Simultaneous submissions are not allowed for this contest. Please do not
submit the same poems anywhere else until the contest results are
announced.”

RhymeZone Poetry Prize

http://www.rhymezone.com/contest/
April 12, 2016
For the first RhymeZone Poetry Prize, we asked people to write poems on the theme of “Understanding”. We received 3,556 submissions from more than 3,000 people from all across the United States and Canada. The poems touch on all aspects of the contest theme, and there’s a staggering diversity of styles, forms, meters, rhyme schemes, and topics.

Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards

http://www.poetrycenterpccc.com/awards/
April 1, 2016
Up to five poems per person will be accepted for consideration. Submit four copies of each poem for distribution to the judges. No poem should be more than two manuscript pages. Since the poems will be judged anonymously, sheets which contain the poems should not have the poet’s name on them. Include a separate cover sheet with the poet’s name, mailing address, phone number, email address and the titles of the poems. Poems cannot be returned.

Paterson Fiction Prize

http://www.poetrycenterpccc.com/awards/
April 1, 2016
A $1000 prize is awarded by The Poetry Center at PCCC for a novel or collection of short fiction which, in the opinion of our judges, is the strongest work of fiction published in 2015.

THE 2016 BEST FIRST NOVEL COMPETITION

http://www.delsolpress.org/DSP-NovelCompetition.htm
April 15, 2016
The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike. Genres we are looking for include literary and upmarket fiction, mainstream or general fiction, mystery/thriller or speculative fiction with a literary edge, serious women’s fiction, and unique experimental work. “2020 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Ste 443
Washington, DC 20006”

Acrostic Poetry Contest

http://www.fanstory.com/contestdetails.jsp?id=102652
April 24, 2016
Write an acrostic poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word (downwards). The poem can be about anything. It can be based on one or more words. Creative approaches are welcomed. One entry per person. New entries only. Acrostic poetry only.

The Richard Snyder Memorial Publication Prize

http://ashlandpoetrypress.com/guidelines/snyder-prize
April 1, 2016
This poetry book series honors the memory of Richard Snyder (1925-1986), poet, fiction writer, playwright, and long-time professor of English at Ashland University. In selecting manuscripts for this series, Ashland Poetry Press editors keep in mind Snyder’s tenacious dedication to craftsmanship and thematic integrity.
“401 College Ave.
Ashland, OH 44805”

The Eastern Iowa Review Poetry Prize

http://www.portyonderpress.com/eastern-iowa-review-poetry-prize.html
April 30, 2016
The Eastern Iowa Review Poetry Prize will award three poets a prize for poems that reflect smart writing from a “good spaces” context suitable for a wide audience. No poem length or style restrictions. Prose poems are welcome as are found poems, free verse, haiku, rhyming poems, etc. All poems must be completely unpublished.
6332 – 33rd Avenue Drive, Shellsburg IA

2016 Indiana Review Poetry

Prize http://indianareview.org/contests/
April 1, 2016
“Send no more than three poems per entry, 8 pages maximum.
As of September 2014 we no longer accept hard-copy submissions.
Entrant’s name must not appear on the submission.
Cover letter must include name, address, phone number, and title. Entrant’s name should appear ONLY in the cover letter.” “Ballantine Hall 529
1020 E. Kirkwood Ave. Indiana “

THE ANNUAL GULF COAST PRIZE

http://gulfcoastmag.org/contests/gulf-coast-prize/
April 9, 2016
The contest awards publication and $1,500 each to the best poem, essay, and short story, as well as $250 to two honorable mentions in each genre.

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize

http://www.writingranch.com/waterston-prize-for-desert-writers/
April 1, 2016
Now in its second year, the Prize annually honors literary nonfiction that illustrates artistic excellence, sensitivity to place, and desert literacy – with the desert as both subject and setting. Inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston’s love of the high desert of Central Oregon, a region that has been her muse for more than 30 years, the Prize recognizes the vital role deserts play worldwide in the ecosystem and human narrative. “PO Box 640
Bend, OR 97709”

Beacon Street Prize

http://www.redividerjournal.org/submit/contests/beacon-street-prize/
April 30, 2016
We launched the Beacon Street Prize in 2012, in honor of our 10th anniversary, and writers and readers responded with such enthusiasm that we now hold it annually. Welcoming submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, the 2016 contest will open February 15 and close April 30.

Binsted Arts Poetry Competition

http://www.binsted.org/poetry-comp
April 17, 2016
Original unpublished poems are invited on the theme:
A way through the woods

Ver Poets Open Competition

2016 http://verpoets.org.uk/
April 30, 2016
Poems must be no more than 30 lines in length. They may be on any theme and in any form. The competition is open to anybody aged 16 or over. Competitors may submit any number of poems for a fee of £4.00 per poem, 3 poems for £10, £2 per poem thereafter.
16th Poetry on the Lake http://www.poetryonthelake.org/page2.php April 30, 2016 “3 categories: Open & Formal (max 40 lines each), Short (max 10 lines)
Mark category top right of each page. The same poem may be entered in two or more categories
but will count each time as a separate entry. “

The Very Short Fiction

http://www.glimmertrain.com/pages/guidelines/very_short_fiction_guidelines.php
April 30, 2016
“The Very Short Fiction Contest is open to all writers.
Any story that has not appeared in a print publication is welcome.
Maximum length: 3,000 words” “PO Box 80430
Portland, Oregon 97280 USA”

The Fiction Open

http://www.glimmertrain.com/pages/writing_guidelines.php
April 30, 2016
Open to all subjects, all themes, and all writers. Most entries run from 3,000 to 6,000 words, but any lengths from 3,000 to 20,000 words are welcome. “PO Box 80430
Portland, Oregon 97280 USA”

2016 New South Writing Contest

http://newsouthjournal.com/contest/
April 15, 2016
This year’s contest will be be judged by Anya Silver in the genre of poetry and Matthew Salesses in the genre of prose. First place winners in each category will be awarded $1,000 prizes; second place winners, $250 prizes; and third place winners, a three-year subscription to New South. Your $15 entry fee also includes a one-year subscription to New South. You may submit electronically via Submittable ONLY.

2016 Frost Farm Prize

http://www.frostfarmpoetry.org/prize/
April 1, 2016
Poems must be original, unpublished and metrical (any metrical form). No translations. There is no limit to the number of poems entered by an individual, but an entry fee of $5 U.S. per poem must accompany the submission. You are welcome to submit a poem sequence (a crown of sonnets for example) but each poem must be entered as a separate file and will be judged individually. “280 Candia Rd.
Chester, NH 03036”

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/tom-howard-john-h-reid-fiction-essay-contest
April 30, 2016
Welcome to the 24th annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $4,000 in prizes.

Margaret Chase Smith Essay Contest

http://www.mcslibrary.org/program/edu/essay.htm
April 1, 2016
The rules of the contest are minimal. Essays must be typed and double-spaced. Contestants should provide contact information so they can receive notification of final results. Essays should be no longer than 2000 words. Quality of evidence, argumentation, and writing is more important than quantity of pages. “56 Norridgewock Avenue
Skowhegan, Maine 04976 “

Twelfth International Short Story Contest

https://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/short_story_contest/
April 1, 2016
Welcome to firstwriter.com’s Twelfth International Short Story Contest. This competition is open to fiction in any style and on any subject, up to 3,000 words long.
LitRejections Short Story Prize http://www.litrejections.com/short-story-prize/ April 4, 2016 “Our inaugural story prize is welcoming submissions from writers around the world for the chance to win cash prizes and publication on our website, a site with over 100 million web hits.
We would love to read your stories and bring your voice to a wider audience of readers, agents, publishers, authors, and many leading figures from all of the other creative industries, who regularly visit our website www.litrejections.com”

THE LONG ISLAND BOOK FAIR

http://www.libookfair.com/
April 2 – 3, 2016
Featuring Books and Ephemera, with Paper in every category, Prints & Post Cards, too. 720 Northern Blvd. (NY25A) Brookville NY 11549

New York Antiquarian BOOK FAIR

http://www.nyantiquarianbookfair.com/
April 7-10, 2016
From April 7-10, 2016 book lovers will find a fascinating treasure trove at the Park Avenue Armory. Over 200 American and international dealers will exhibit at The ABAA New York Antiquarian Book Fair, bringing a vast selection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, illuminated manuscripts and ephemera. The diversity of specialties includes art, medicine, literature, photography, autographs, first editions, Americana, and much more. “Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Avenue, New York
Between 66/67 Streets”

Southern Kentucky Book Fest

http://sokybookfest.org/
April 23, 2016
Southern Kentucky Book Fest is one of the state’s largest literary events and is presented by Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Warren County Public Library, and WKU Libraries. Held annually in April, the Book Fest draws thousands of readers of all ages who welcome the occasion to meet their favorite authors and purchase signed copies of their books. Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

2016 Virginia Book Fair

http://www.virginiabooksellers.org/
April 29 – 30, 2016
“40 of the country’s finest booksellers under one roof, offering books, manuscripts, maps, autographs, art and ephemera for every taste and budget.
Admission is free, parking is ample, and the VMFA Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is right next-door (with its award-winning café and restaurant). ” “428 N. Boulevard
Richmond, Virginia 23220”

Bloomsbury Book Fair

http://www.bloomsburybookfair.com/
April 10, 2016
We welcome our regular dealers PLUS some new faces and Specialist Military Dealers! You can expect dealers in fine and rare books, ephemera specialists, map & print sellers, as well as auctioneers and bookbinders, be sure to mark the date in your diary! “Bedford Way
London WC1H 0DG”

2016 AWP Conference & Bookfair

https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/
April 2, 2016
The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature.

The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair

http://www.buffalosmallpress.org/
April 9-10, 2016
The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair is a regional two-day event that brings booksellers, authors, bookmakers, zinesters, small presses, artists, poets, and other cultural workers (and enthusiasts) together in a venue where they can share ideas, showcase their art, and peddle their wares. “Porter Hall
453 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, NY”

THE 2016 VIRGIN ISLANDS LITERARY FESTIVAL AND BOOK FAIR

https://vilitfest.wordpress.com/
April 21-23, 2016
The second annual Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair is set to kick off April 20-23 with events highlighting and celebrating literature’s role in culture and society. “University of the Virgin Islands
St. Croix Campus”

Blue Ridge Bookfest

http://www.blueridge.edu/blueridgebookfest
April 22-23, 2016
The 2016 Blue Ridge Bookfest is pleased and excited to announce that Novelist Ms. Sara Gruen, author of the widely acclaimed Water for Elephants, will be the 2016 Blue Ridge Bookfest Featured Author. “180 West Campus Dr.
Technology Education & Development Center
(TEDC Building)
Flat Rock, NC 28731”

Ohioana Book Festiva

http://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohioana-book-festival/
April 23, 2016
Since its inception in 2007, the Ohioana Book Festival has given readers the opportunity to connect with their favorite Ohio writers. Held each spring, the Festival welcomes roughly 100 authors and more than 3,000 visitors every year. Capitol Square, 75 E. State St., Columbus, OH 43215

Greater St. Louis Book Fair

http://www.stlouisbookfair.org/
April 28, 2016
Greater St. Louis Book Fair is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most popular charity book sales. For over 60 years, book lovers and collectors have enjoyed bargain prices on a diverse and quality selection of new, gently-used and rare books. Fair proceeds benefit local non-profit education and literacy programs.

Newburyport Literary Festival

http://newburyportliteraryfestival.org/
April 29-30, 2016
Founded in 2005, the Newburyport Literary Association, Inc. will host its eleventh festival April 29th and 30th. PO Box 268 Newburyport, MA 01950

Dayton Book Expo

http://www.daytonbookexpo.com/
April 30, 2016
For the seventh consecutive year, hundreds of book lovers will convene at the Dayton Book Expo. The all-day event includes panel discussions for aspiring authors, activities for children in the Kidz Zone and book signings! The event is free and open to the public. Great Hall – Building 12 444 West Third Street Dayton, Ohio 45402