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I encourage entering competitions, and there is one reason for this:
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Now, there are a lot of competitions out there for writing. Also, there are plenty of places to find the lists of these competitions. I have chosen not to list the specific submission guidelines for competitions on this page, but rather to send you to either the home page of the competition itself, or give you resources where you may find it. The reason I am not going to list the guidelines specifically is really because before you send your work out you need to hear it "from the horses mouth" so to speak, of what they want and when. Deadlines, addresses and needs can change very quickly and I am afraid I would not be able to keep you up to date as much as would be needed. So, I hope you will find the resources you need below, and good luck!! You should be proud of yourself for entering!
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Let the games begin!
The Playwrights Noticeboard at Stageplays.com offers an extensive listing of upcoming and ongoing playwriting competitions from all over the country and the world. Opportunities for young playwrights A website that has a few good listings regarding theaters and competitions for younger writers! California Young Playwrights Contest This competition is helped by the Playwrights Project with winning entries produced at the famous Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. The Annual Blank Theatre Company's Young Playwrights Festival offered by The Blank Theatre Company. An annual playwriting competition for young writers, age 19 and under. I've won this competition and many other young writers have gone on to other productions because they won this award. The company also offers an exciting internship opportunity to winners! Winning this competition is such an invaluable experience! The Rosenthal New Play Prize This is a wonderful playwriting competition sponsored by the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. It is an annual competition that offers the winner a world premier production at The Playhouse as well as $10,000. The National Ten Minute Play Contest offered by The Actors Theatre of Louisville. This is a major contest at a Tony award winning regional theatre. For plays 10 pages and under. The Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition offered annually by The Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo, New York for NEW works!
2001 International Screenplay Competition Looks good! This is put on by The American Screenwriters Assoc. and Writers Digest. Prizes include $5,000 cash. Deadline in October. Venice Arts Screenwriting Competition Current competition. Offers cash prizes, screenwriting software, and more to winners. Disney Fellowships in Screenwriting One of three major screenwriting competitions held each year. This one offers a one year fellowship at Disney, should you win. Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting Another one of the major screenwriting competitions, this one offered by the same people who bring you the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Writers Film Project offered by The Chesterfield Film Company. This is number three in the chain of large screenwriting competitions. This one, also held annually, offers a one year fellowship in L.A. plus a stipend, should you win.
New Century Writer Awards A website I ran across on the web for this relatively new screenwriting competition. In it's 3rd year, they are currently accepting submissions. They have ties apparently to some Hollywood heavyweights, and offer cash prizes for winners and runners up. Scriptapalooza.com Screenwriting competition, winner receives $25,000 cash, and past winners have received production deals. Done Deal: Newsflash A listing of screenwriting competitions, festivals, conferences and general calls for submissions.
Poetry Today Online: Poetry Contests Comprehensive listing of current poetry competitions! Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest On again off again poetry competition.
The Silver Quill Award THE writing award offered BY The Courtyard! Every month a new topic, offering great prizes, and you can even enter through email. It's too easy to pass up!
The William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition A variety of categories offer winners cash prizes!
Boston Review Short Story Contest Held by The Boston Review, an annual short story competition. Deadline in September. Winner receives $1,000. Scholarships and Grants for English and Writing Majors This is for high schoolers looking to get a scholarship or two based on their writing talents. This is actually a pretty good page, with deadlines and all.
Writer's Journal Contests Various writing competitions with ongoing deadlines offered by Writer's Journal. Cash prizes to winners.
Writing Contests Newsgroup This is a WONDERFUL newsgroup that keeps its member updated on all kinds of writing competitions. I get one nearly every day and it is a great resource. If this link doesn't put you through to it, just go to www.egroups.com and type in "writers" and "contests."
Writing Corner Contests A listing of weekly and monthly writing competitions in all genres from "The Writing Corner." They have recently registered this as a website all of its own, so you can look for even more competitions than before!
Pen/Amazon.com Short Story Awards. A large cash prize, along with publication. Check website for deadline.
Poets and Writers - Classifieds Classified ad postings, listng various competitions for all genres.
Writers Digest-Contest Writer's Digest listing of their current competitions.
Inscriptions Magazine This website offers a listing of current writing competitions going on in various categories.
Yahoo's Listing of Literature Awards This is for all genres, and there are several awards to be found here.
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I'm thinking about going to...
May I just say, whether you enter a competition and win, or enter a competition and not place, or never enter one at all...do not let any of these deter you from writing. If you are rejected, DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY. Truly, some competitions just look for something very particular. One man's trash is another man's treasure never applied more than here. I have had, as have plenty have writers, several works turned down by places and picked up by others. Each place has it's own personality. Alternatively, if you win, do not get a big head on you. Please keep in mind how many wonderful writers there are out there who did not enter the competition you did and may be just as good as you are, but not have won because they weren't even competing. Competitions serve many purposes, the most important thing to remember is to know what YOU think of your work. If you like it and someone turns it down, you still know it is good. Find in yourself what you think of it. That is what is important. It will help you through all of your writing career.
