No fee writer's contests - August 06

I take it as something of a civic duty to occasionally post information about writer's contests so here's a short list of upcoming deadlines from Poets&Writers. These are all no-fee contests, which I prefer. I don't know about you, but I balk at paying people to read my work but entry fees are a permanent part of the writer's world and they are a legitimate way for small organizations to help writers out. The long list, including contests with entry fees, is here.

New York Public Library
Young Lions Fiction Award
A prize of $10,000 is given annually to honor a novel or short story collection by a U.S. citizen who is 35 or younger. Publishers and agents may submit 10 copies of a book published (or galleys of a book scheduled for publication) in 2006, a nomination form, an author biography, and book reviews by August 25. There is no entry fee. Send an SASE, call, e-mail, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines.
New York Public Library, Young Lions Fiction Award, 476 Fifth Avenue, Room 73, New York, NY 10018. (212) 930-0887. Katie Sanderson, Manager.
ksanderson@nypl.org
www.nypl.org/yl

Delaware Division of the Arts
Individual Artist Fellowships
Established Professional Fellowships of $5,000 and Emerging Professional Fellowships of $2,000 are given annually to Delaware writers who are at least 18 years old, have lived in Delaware for at least a year prior to application, and are not enrolled in a degree program. Submit 20 pages of poetry or fiction by August 15. There is no entry fee. Send an SASE, call, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines. (See Recent Winners.)
Delaware Division of the Arts, Individual Artist Fellowships, Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. (302) 577-8278. Kristin Pleasanton, Coordinator.
www.artsdel.org/grants/default.shtml

Graywolf Press
Nonfiction Prize
An advance of $12,000 and publication by Graywolf Press is given annually for a book-length work of creative nonfiction by a writer who has published no more than two books in that genre. Robert Polito will judge. Submit a manuscript of 200 to 400 pages between August 15 and September 15. There is no entry fee. Send an SASE or visit the Web site for complete guidelines. (See Recent Winners.)
Graywolf Press, Nonfiction Prize, 2402 University Avenue, Suite 203, St. Paul, MN 55114. Katie Dublinski, Editorial Manager.
www.graywolfpress.org

Illinois Arts Council
Artists Fellowship Awards
Fellowships of $7,000 each are given annually to Illinois writers. Finalists receive grants of $700 each. The fellowships, which alternate yearly between poetry and prose, are given to Illinois residents who have lived in the state for at least one year prior to the application deadline and who are not enrolled in any degree or certificate-granting program. Poets may submit no more than 15 pages of poetry completed within the past four years, proof of residency, and a resumé by September 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the Web site for the required application and complete guidelines. (See Recent Winners.)
Illinois Arts Council, Artists Fellowship Awards, James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph, Suite 10-500, Chicago, IL 60601.
www.state.il.us/agency/iac/
guidelines/guidelines.htm

Ohio Arts Council
Individual Excellence Awards
Fellowships of $5,000 and $10,000 are awarded annually to Ohio poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Writers who have been residents of Ohio for one year prior to the application deadline and are not enrolled in a degree- or certificate-granting program are eligible. Submit 10 to 15 pages of poetry or 20 to 30 pages of prose completed within the past three years by September 1. There is no entry fee. Call or visit the Web site for the required application and complete guidelines.
(See Recent Winners.)
Ohio Arts Council, Individual Excellence Awards, 727 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205-1796. (614) 466-2613. Kathy Signorino, Program Coordinator.
kathy.signorino@oac.state.oh.us
www.oac.state.oh.us/grantsprogs/
guidelines/individualcreativity.asp

Wyoming Arts Council
Blanchan/Doubleday Memorial Awards
Two prizes of $1,000 each are given annually by the Wyoming Arts Council for works of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. The Neltje Blanchan Memorial Award is given for the best work inspired by nature, and the Frank Nelson Doubleday Award is given for the best work by a Wyoming woman. For both awards, Wyoming residents who have published no more than one book in any genre are eligible. Full-time students and faculty members are ineligible. Submit a poetry manuscript of no more than 10 pages or a prose manuscript of no more than 25 pages by August 11. There is no entry fee. Send an SASE, call, or e-mail for complete guidelines.
Wyoming Arts Council, Blanchan/ Doubleday Memorial Awards, 2320 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002. (307) 777-5234. Michael Shay, Literature Program Manager.
mshay@state.wy.us
wyoarts.state.wy.us/applications.html

Olivet College
Sandburg-Auden-Stein Residency
A three-week residency at Olivet College, including a stipend of $3,100, will be given annually to a poet who has published at least one book of poetry. The resident will teach a class and host two events. Submit four copies of five poems from the most recently published book, a personal statement, a resumé, and two references by September 10. There is no entry fee. Send an SASE, e-mail, or visit the Web site for complete guidelines.
Olivet College, Sandburg-Auden-Stein Residency, Humanities Department, 320 South Main Street, Olivet, MI 49076. Martha Perkins, Humanities Department Chair.
mperkins@olivetcollege.edu
www.olivetcollege.edu/departments/humanities

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