Click below to see the fiction contest deadlines due next Sunday, December 31.
Before Columbus Foundation
American Book Awards
Approximately 10 to 18 awards are given annually to honor books published in the United States during the preceding year that make outstanding contributions to American literature. Winners are nominated and selected by a panel of writers, editors, and publishers, but anyone may make a submission or recommendation to the panel. Submit two copies of a book published in 2006 by December 31. There is no entry fee.
Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Literary Awards
Three prizes of $500 each are given annually for a book of fiction, a first novel, and a book of creative nonfiction written by an African American and published in the United States during the current year. The awards, presented at the annual meeting of the American Library Association, honor original works of literature that depict the “cultural, historical, or sociopolitical aspects of the African Diaspora.” Publishers may nominate books published in 2006 by December 31. There is no entry fee. E-mail for complete guidelines and the list of jurors to whom the books should be sent.
Civil War Institute
Michael Shaara Book Prize
A prize of $2,500 is given annually to honor a novel about the Civil War published in the current year to “encourage fresh approaches to Civil War fiction.” Publishers, critics, and authors may submit ten copies of a book published in 2006 by December 31. There is no entry fee.
Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education
David Dornstein Memorial Creative Writing Contest
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a short story on a Jewish theme or topic by a writer aged 18 to 35. If more than one story is selected, the prize money will be divided among the winners. Submit a short story of no more than 5,000 words by December 31. There is no entry fee.
Curbstone Press
Miguel Mármol Prize
An advance of $1,000 and publication by Curbstone Press is given annually for a first book of fiction in English by a Latino writer that “reflects a respect for intercultural understanding, human rights, and civil liberties.” Writers who have not previously published a book of fiction are eligible. Submit a manuscript of 160 to 360 pages with a $15 entry fee by December 31.
Ruth Hindman Foundation
H. E. Francis Short Story Competition
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a short story. Submit three copies of a story of no more than 5,000 words with a $15 entry fee by December 31.
Hurston/Wright Foundation
Award for College Writers
A prize of $1,000 is given annually to recognize excellence in fiction writing by a student of African descent enrolled full time in a U.S. college or graduate school. Students who have published a book in any genre are not eligible. Submit two copies of an unpublished short story or novel excerpt of no more than 25 pages with a $10 entry fee by December 31.
Livingston Press
Tartt Fiction Award
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Livingston Press is given annually for a first collection of short stories. Fiction writers who have not published a short story collection may submit 160 to 325 pages of fiction with a $15 entry fee by December 31.
Ellen Meloy Fund
Desert Writers Award
A prize of $1,000 will be given annually to provide support to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers to spend creative time in a desert environment. Submit up to 10 pages of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction, a project description, and a biography by December 31. There is no entry fee.
University of New Mexico
Premio Aztlán Literary Prize
A prize of $1,000 and an invitation to give a reading at the University of New Mexico is given annually to honor a book of fiction by a Chicano or Chicana writer published in the current year. Authors who have published no more than two books are eligible. For books published in 2006, authors must submit a letter of interest, and publishers must submit a letter of nomination, with five copies of the book by December 31. There is no entry fee.
Texas Christian University Press
Texas book award
A prize of $5,000 is given biennially for the best book of fiction or creative nonfiction about Texas. Authors, publishers, or agents may send three copies of a book published in 2005 or 2006 by December 31. There is no entry fee.
Links and blurbs via the Poets&Writers, inc. contest calendar.