Contests

2011 Members Only Writing Contest (closed; click the link for winners’ list)

Barnabas Fellowship (InScribe members only)

InScribe Fall Competition (Information posted annually in June, deadline in August)

Contest Etiquette

Make sure the contest is legitimate. Click here for one place to check for fraudulent contests.
Check contest guidelines carefully. All contests are not the same. Most will disqualify your entry if you do not follow their rules exactly.
Send only your best work. Revise, edit, polish!
Make sure you enter your work in the appropriate category.
Notice if the contest offers “judge’s comments” because if you don’t win, these might be as valuable to you as a cash prize or trophy because they could help you make your piece publishable.
Remember that some contests are for fun only, so have fun entering.
Contest judges want to see clean, crisp manuscripts. Submit to a contest the same way you would to an editor.
Most contests are judged blindly. That means your name is not on the manuscript, but is on a cover sheet. Read the rules and do exactly as they say. If the judge sees your ID on your entry, it will be disqualified.
A contest is not the place to send a first draft, although many entries come in looking just like that. Go over your work. While you may be looking for a critique or the judge’s comments rather than a prize, don’t expect the judge to do your editing for you.
Write concise. Word counts or limits are for a reason. If you add footnotes or explanations, they will be included in the word count as far as most judges are concerned. Far better to say it succinctly!