We want to hear your stories!
Enter the Annual Gulf Coast Writers Association Contest and Win Money!

Established and aspiring writers, your time to shine has arrived! The Gulf Coast Writers Association (GCWA) is proud to announce our annual writing contest, offering exciting prizes and recognition for talented wordsmiths across Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry.

Our writing challenge is open to anyone around the world. Membership is not required.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Submit online: All entries must be submitted electronically through our website. Make sure to pay the entry fee online as well.
• Craft your masterpiece: Unleash your creativity with a captivating story of 1500 words or less. Double-space your entry in a clear and readable 12-point font like Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or similar. Poetry is capped at 40 lines.
• Blind judging: Rest assured that your work will be judged anonymously. Your name, address, and email will not be revealed to our panel of esteemed judges.
• Reap the rewards: The nine winners will be notified by August 15th and can claim exciting prizes: $200 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place in each category during our awards celebration scheduled for September 2025.
• Expert evaluation: Our judges are renowned members of the GCWA and the greater writing community, ensuring your work receives a fair and insightful evaluation.
• 3 Categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry
• Entry Fees
  • Members and Students 1st Entry $10
  • Members and Students additional entry $5
  • Non Members 1st Entry $20
  • Non Members additional entry $10
• Questions? Email GCWAContest@gmail.com

Submit Your Work

Ready to share your writing with the world? Here’s a step-by-step guide to submitting your work:

• Fill Out the Submission Form:  Provide all the required information accurately and completely.
• Payment of Entry Fee: Follow the instructions for completing the payment process securely. Make sure you have a valid payment method ready.
• NOTE: Your name and contact information should not appear on the piece itself.
• Confirmation: Once your payment is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation message or email. Keep this for your records.
• Finalize Your Submission: Once your payment and submission are complete, a confirmation will be provided for your records.
• Multiple Submissions: If you wish to submit more than one entry you will need to fill out a separate entry form for each entry and pay a separate (although reduced) entry fee.