December 2017 Contest Roundup

It’s the last Contest Roundup of the year! You’ll find specific sci-fi, crime, poetry, illustration, and kidlit opportunities in this month’s Roundup. If your work doesn’t fall into one of those categories, don’t despair. Pitmad Twitter Pitch Party is open to all genres and might be a fun way to end your 2017 year of subbing! Check out the listings to see what contests might be a fit for your work. They are in order by closing date. If you have questions, need advice, or want help with your pitch just pop on over to our Sub It Club Submission Support Group where there are tons of amazing writers and illustrators giving each other a helping hand.

Now, onto the contests:

December

12/7: #Pitmad Twitter Pitch Party – Open to all genres. Pitch your manuscript via Twitter using the #Pitmad hashtag.

12/10: Happy Writer Days – Enter to win courses and coaching. There are also some free courses 12/4-12/8.

12/10: Susanna Hill’s 7th Annual Holiday Contest – Enter your 250 word holiday story. The prizes aren’t announced yet but I know Susanna always gets some good ones so check it out if you’re into writing kidlit.

12/14: #SFFPit – Open to Science Fiction and Fantasy–picture book, middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult works. Pitch your manuscript via Twitter using the #SFFPit hashtag.

12/31: Dwayne McDuffie Award – Open to work that promotes diversity in the comic book industry. Submit via form along with first issue or other example of the work.

12/31: Writer’s of the Future Contest – Open to SciFi and Fantasy short stories up to 17,000 words. Cash prizes of $1000, $750, & $500. See Contest Rules for details.

12/31:  Blue Mountain Arts 31st Biannual Poetry Card Contest – Open to poetry. “The author gives permission to Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. to publish and display the entry on the Web (in electronic form only) if the entry is selected as a winner or finalist.” 1st prize: $350, 2nd prize: $200, 3rd prize: $100.

Upcoming in 2018!

1/2: The Christopher Doheny Award – Open to writers who have previously published in literary journals or magazines, or have published a book with an independent or traditional publisher. Open to YA and Adult manuscripts on the subject of serious illness. Submit your minimum 30,000 word manuscript related to the topic of serious illness. “Award includes a $10,000 prize and production and promotion of the book in an audio edition, with the option to pursue print publication with the assistance of Audible, Inc.” Submit via form.

1/9: National Native American Veterans Memorial Design Competition – The National Museum of the American Indian invites entries to the design competition for the National Native American Veterans Memorial. Read the Competition Regulations.

1/12: St. Martin’s Minotaur/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition – Open to unpublished writers. Murder or other serious crime or crimes must be at the heart of the story. Winner to receive a publishing contract from Minotaur Books with a $10,000.00 advance.

1/13: Writing With the Stars – Open to Picture Book Writers and Illustrators. Enter to win a 3 month mentorship with a published author or author/illustrator. Read the official rules. Enter via downloaded application.

2/22: #PBPitch – Open to picture books. Pitch your manuscript via Twitter using the #PBPitch hashtag between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST.

3/8: #Pitmad Twitter Pitch Party – Open to all genres. Pitch your manuscript via Twitter using the #Pitmad hashtag.

4/1: Wergle Flump Humor Poetry Contest – Enter one humor poem, up to 250 lines. First prize of $1,000, second prize of $250 & ten Honorable Mentions will of $100 each. Submit via Submittable.

Know of a good contest I missed? Please link us up in the comments!