SouthWest Writers’ annual writing competition is open for submissions.
The theme of this year’s contest is Woven Pathways. The SouthWest Writers members’ love of all things writing weaves us together into an inclusive, supportive community regardless of our culture or background. We would like entries and participants that reflect our inclusiveness.
The contest includes twenty writing categories and two art categories with cash prizes in all and the opportunity to be published. Winning entries will be included in the SouthWest Writers’ 2023 Anthology to be released in the fall of 2023. Winners will be announced at the same time the anthology becomes available.
All but one contest category focuses on unpublished writing with the hope of encouraging aspiring authors to participate. A contestant does not have to be a member of SouthWest Writers to enter.
Main Contest Categories:
- Cover and Interior Artwork
- Fiction Opening Pages of both published and unpublished works (3000 words or less)
- Flash Fiction (1000 words or less)
- Short Story (3000 words or less)
- Nonfiction Memoir (General, Pets, or Travel; 3000 words or less)
- Poetry Free Verse (Nature, Spiritual, or Relationships; 1500 words or less)
- Limericks
Sub-categories within Unpublished Opening Pages and Short Story:
- General Fiction
- Mystery/Crime/Thrillers
- Romance/Rom-Com
- SciFi/Fantasy
- Westerns
- Humor (Short Story only)
Contest Submission Period: April 8 – May 20. Fees vary depending on submission date.
Go to the contest page for more details and to enter the contest.
Good luck!
Please help me understand the topics you are looking for. Am I correct in assuming all stories should be about how people come together? Stories that show how we rely on each other?
Except for specific sub-categories, we’re not limiting stories to a particular theme. From the Contest Chair: The stories can be about anything! Of course, a mystery will be a mystery, etc. We’re simply encouraging the use of diverse characters — but they don’t have to be diverse. And we also are encouraging writers to participate whose background may be underrepresented in the publishing world. Again, none of this is a requirement, and there aren’t any penalties. We’re just trying to get writers to think about a fictional world that mirrors the diversity and inclusivity in our own world.
Regarding a contest submission: How do I enter a cover for a new book published? It has my name on the cover. Do I send you a copy of the book? Thanks,
Marcia Rosen
Marcia, you may enter Opening Pages of a Previously Published Book, but the category of Cover Artwork is for art and photographs to be used on the cover of the contest anthology.
Can you please further explain “Woven Pathways”. What exactly are you looking for…simply put.
The stories can be about anything! Of course, a mystery will be a mystery, etc. We’re simply encouraging the use of diverse characters — but they don’t have to be diverse. And we also are encouraging writers to participate whose background may be underrepresented in the publishing world. Again, none of this is a requirement, and there aren’t any penalties. We’re just trying to get writers to think about a fictional world that mirrors the diversity and inclusivity in our own world. Debbie White, 2023 SouthWest Writers Writing Contest Chair