Want to jumpstart your writing career? Let us help!

For 89 years, Writer’s Digest has been looking for and shining the light on new and up-and-coming writers in any genre or category.

And it’s that time again—we’re looking for writing that strikes and grabs us, that we can’t put down. We’re looking for standout writing in any and all of the following categories:

• inspirational/spiritual
• memoirs/personal essays
• print or online article
• genre short story (think romance, thriller, mystery, sci-fi, etc.)
• mainstream/literary short story
• rhyming poetry
• non-rhyming poetry
• script (think stage play or television/movie script)
• children’s/young adult fiction

That’s a lot of options, but we’re sure something you’ve written or are writing will fit in. And we’ve seen a wide range of winners in the past several years. Just be sure to check our website for entry details—we have strict word count restrictions for each category.

So, how will this competition help you? That’s easy. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 in cash, a trip to New York City for the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, and an interview for a feature article in our magazine. Ten first place winners in each category receive $1,000, ten second place winners in each category win $500, and on and on!

Ready to be the next writer we spotlight? Enter by May 4 for the best price!

LEARN MORE

The Masters Review Winter Short Story Award
Judged by Kimberly King Parsons!
$3000 + Publication + Agency Review

Submit today!

The weather outside may be frightful, but central heating should leave you perfectly comfortable and ready to write! ‘Tis the season for delightful surprises, so take a chance and enter one of these amazing contests!

See the List

Open GCWA Officers Positions

Officer at Large. The Officer at Large shall serve as an officer without portfolio; shall be available to assume the role of any other officer except the President for a short term until said office can be filled by appointment or election. The person serving in this position shall have no specific responsibilities but shall provide advice and counsel to the rest of the Executive Committee and shall have voting rights.

Open GCWA Officers Positions

Secretary. The Secretary shall record minutes of Executive Committee meetings and business meetings of GCWA. The draft minutes shall be distributed to the Executive Committee within ten business days of the meeting. The Secretary shall prepare and distribute, following the annual business meeting, the report of election of new officers. The Secretary shall maintain GCWA archives of minutes, reports of other officers, business correspondence, Policies and Procedures, and amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws.

Fall Fiction Award Judged by Anita Felicelli

The Fall Fiction Contest is NOW OPEN for submissions through November 30th! Submit your very best fiction up to 6,000 words for the chance to win $2,000 and publication in The Masters Review. Fifteen stories will be honored on our shortlist, with the winning three selected by Anita Felicelli!  Second and third place stories earn $300 and $200, respectively, publication, and correspondence from our judge. We want you to succeed, and we want your writing to be read. It’s been our mission to support emerging writers since day one.

Submit Now

This competition spotlights ebooks in 8 categories including Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, Memoir, Young Adult and Nonfiction.

Here’s what you could win:

• $5,000 in cash
• A feature article about you and your book in the May/June 2020 issue of Writer’s Digest
• A paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference
• AND more!

For the chance to earn the prestige you deserve and watch your career soar to new heights, enter Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published Ebook Awards.

GRAND PRIZE

• $50
• A critique of your story ($75 value)
• A consultation (30 min) about your story ($50 value)
• An edit of your story ($75 value)
• Marketing ideas for your story ($50 value)
• Publication in the JWC newsletter, website, and Facebook page!!!

ENTER TODAY!!! $5​

​Guidelines for A Short Story Worth Reading Contest

A Short Story Worth Reading Contest is held three (3) times a year. The deadlines for entries are as follows: January first, May first, and September first. You may enter at any time and your entry will be placed into the proper queue. Your email submission to this contest means you agree to the following:

$5 entry fee per short story – three (3) stories maximum per person ($5 each).

​All entry fees paid through PayPal using the “friends and family” option – the email address for PayPal is tjacobs@jacobswc.com.

​1,500 words or less.

​Be sure to include a title and your name, email address, and phone number in your email submission.

Judges will NOT know who the entrants are and their decisions are final. Do NOT include any identifiers in your story.

​Email your story to tjacobs@jacobswc.com– NO ATTACHMENTS – cut and paste your story into the body of the email.

​In the subject line of your email, put “A Short Story Worth Reading Contest.”

Stories are NOT judged on editing and formatting, but it doesn’t hurt to have a second pair of eyes review your story before submitting.

No previously published material.

U.S. English.​

Author retains copyright to their story.​

Contest is open to any resident of the USA.​

JWC employees are NOT eligible.​

NO REFUNDS.
GOOD LUCK!!!