FundsforWriters and its annual sponsor IdeaWeaver, creator of writing and creativity software, announce the 8th Annual FundsforWriters Essay Contest. THEME: "Invisible Writing" As is the FundsforWriters trademark, applicants enter with or without an entry fee, their choice. Prize monies range from $10 to $200.  Limit 750 words.  Direct any questions to Hope Clark at hope@fundsforwriters.com

Deadline October 31, 2009.

CALL FOR POEMS
21st Century Howlers: A New Generation Jazz and Blues Anthology

Richard Ford once said that it takes as much effort to produce a bad book as a good book.

And as disheartening as that sounds, what Ford’s assertion might raise, and what most everyone who has attempted the task of a book-length work already knows, is the notion that effort alone does not ensure a book’s success, and that there are probably more ways for a good book to be overlooked than a bad book to never make it into print.

That said, what constitutes a bad book?  Is it an overrated “good” book? Can an otherwise good author produce a “bad” book? Is the badness in style, in execution? Or is it in theme or outlook?

In the spirit of such focuses as 100 Best Last Lines of Novels and Why Teach Creative Writing? and the most recent Fiction’s Future, American Book Reviewseeks entries for consideration in an upcoming “Bad Books” focus. Whether it’s a novel, memoir, collection of  poems, how-to or self-help book, select a book that you think belongs on the “Bad Books” list and accompany it with a two hundred and fifty word essay illustrating just what’s bad about it.

Submissions are due by Nov. 1, 2009

American Book Review

School of Arts & Sciences

University of Houston-Victoria

3007 N. Ben Wilson

Victoria, TX 77901

USA

361.570.4101

http://americanbookreview.org

 Details: www.strixvaria.com

Smith Browne, editor of the new poetry-reading e-zine "Strix Varia" is calling for submissions of essays on contemporary poetry.

A VERSAL CALL

Details:http://versal.wordsinhere.com
Submission guidelines: http://www.wordsinhere.com/guidelines.html
Versal wants your poetry, prose, and art for its seventh issue due out
in May, 2009. Internationally acclaimed literary annual published in
Amsterdam; perfect bound, 100 pages of the urgent, involved, &
unexpected. See website for guidelines and to submit:
http://versal.wordsinhere.com. We only accept submissions through our
(easy-to-use) online submission manager. Inquiries (only) can be
directed to: versal@wordsinhere.com.
Deadline: January 15, 2009.
 

THE MONA SCHREIBER PRIZE FOR HUMOROUS FICTION AND NONFICTION

Detais: http://www.brashcyber.com/mona.html

Announcing the  annual competition:

 Writers of comedic essays, articles, short stories, poetry, shopping lists and

other forms are invited to submit. Works up to 750 words in length should be typed, double-spaced, accompanied by a money order or check for $5 to cover administrative costs, payable to "The Mona Schreiber Prize." No limit to entries but each must have a separate fee. Put contact information on the first page.

No SASEs, please. Include e-mail address for notification of winners.

Three winners: 1st: $500, 2nd: $250, 3rd: $100.

Entries should be stapled, are not returned and must be unpublished.
Humor is subjective. Uniqueness is suggested. Weirdness is
encouraged. The Mona Schreiber Prize for Humorous Fiction and
Non-Fiction, 11362 Homedale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90049.

SPS Studios
Announces Its Fifteenth Biannual Poetry Card Contest

1st prize: $300 * 2nd prize: $150 * 3rd prize: $50

In addition, the winning poems will be displayed on our website sps.com.
 

 Poetry Contest Guidelines:

1. Poems can be rhyming or non-rhyming, although we find that non-rhyming poetry reads better.
2. We suggest that you write about real emotions and feelings and that you have some special person or occasion in mind as you write.
3. Poems are judged on the basis of originality and uniqueness.
4. English-language entries only, please.
5. Enter as often as you like!

Poetry Contest Rules

All entries must be the original creation of the submitting author. All rights to the entries must be owned by the author and shall remain the property of the author. The author gives permission to SPS Studios, Inc. to publish and display the entry on the Web (in electronic form only) if the entry is selected as a winner or finalist. Winners will be contacted within 45 days of the deadline date. Contest is open to everyone except employees of SPS Studios and their families. Void where prohibited.

How to Submit

Go to http://www.sps.com/poetry/index.html to complete the contest form, or if you prefer, you may send your submission via snail mail* to:

SPS Studios Poetry Card Contest,

Deadline: December 31, 2009

The American Literary Review welcomes submissions of previously unpublished poems, short stories, and creative non-fiction. We also accept submissions for cover art. Please include an SASE and cover letter with your submission. Also include enough postage to return your work. Please mark envelopes and cover letters Fiction, Poetry, or Nonfiction. .

The reading period extends from October 1 to May 1. Unsolicited manuscripts received outside this reading period will be returned unread.

American Literary Review

PO Box 311307
University of North Texas
Denton, TX 76203-1307

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest 

Now open to  anyone who loves arranging words 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.

Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for further details or to enter!

Guidelines: 

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 submitted.

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. Mail entries/fees payable to: "DREAMQUESTONE.COM"

Dream Quest One

Poetry & Writing Contest

P.O. Box 3141

Chicago, IL 60654

Postmark deadline: December 31, 2009

Find more Writers Wanted entries on our message board, front page, and writers wanted page and Page 2 of October Writers Wanted