About
Winning Writers is an organization dedicated to supporting poets and writers through literary contests, resources, and services. Recognized as one of Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers, the organization sponsors several writing competitions including the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest, Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest, Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest, and North Street Book Prize for self-published books. Winning Writers also provides a curated database of free literary contests, manuscript critique services, scam-busting guidance to help writers avoid questionable agencies and contests, and hand-picked resources for writers.
Funding Opportunities
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
The Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest is an annual literary competition now in its 34th year, accepting both published and unpublished work. The contest welcomes short stories and essays with no restrictions on style or theme. Each entry must be original work in English, with a maximum length of 6,000 words. The contest awards $12,000 in total prizes, with separate first prizes of $3,500 for the best story and best essay. Additionally, ten Honorable Mentions receive $500 each, regardless of category. The top two winners also receive two-year gift certificates from co-sponsor Duotrope, valued at $100 each. The top twelve entries are published online on the Winning Writers website and announced in their newsletter, which reaches over 50,000 subscribers. The contest is judged anonymously by final judge Tamra Badgett, a writer of prose poetry, nonfiction, and memoir with an MFA from the School of Letters in Sewanee, Tennessee. She is assisted by Sarah Halper, who holds an MFA from Warren Wilson College. Writers of all ages from most countries are eligible to enter, with exceptions for Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions. The contest was founded by John Howard Reid, an award-winning journalist, magazine editor, and author who published historical novels, poetry, and literary guides.
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
The Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest is an annual international poetry competition now in its 24th year, offering $12,000 in total prizes. The contest features two major prizes: the Tom Howard Prize ($3,500) for poems in any style or genre, and the Margaret Reid Prize ($3,500) for poems that rhyme or have a traditional style. Additionally, the contest awards ten Honorable Mentions of $500 each. The top two winners also receive two-year gift certificates from co-sponsor Duotrope (valued at $100). All top 12 entries are published online on the Winning Writers website and announced in their newsletter which reaches over 50,000 subscribers. Poets may submit published or unpublished work, with a maximum length of 250 lines per poem. Each submission may contain up to 3 poems for a $25 entry fee. The contest welcomes poets of all ages from nearly all countries (with exceptions due to US government restrictions). Entries are judged anonymously by award-winning poets with expertise in diverse literary traditions. The contest emphasizes quality literary merit and is recognized as one of Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers. Poems written with the aid of AI text generators are not eligible. The contest runs annually with submissions accepted from April 15 to October 1, and results announced the following April 15. Winners retain copyright to their work while granting Winning Writers a nonexclusive license to publish prize-winning entries online. This well-established contest provides significant recognition and financial support to poets working in both traditional and contemporary forms.
North Street Book Prize
The North Street Book Prize is an annual literary competition now in its twelfth year that celebrates self-published and hybrid-published books across multiple categories. The contest accepts entries in nine categories: Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & Memoir, Inspirational/Self-Help, Poetry, Children's Picture Book, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel & Memoir, and Art Book. The grand prize winner receives $10,000 plus extensive marketing services and professional support. Category winners receive $1,000 each plus marketing benefits, and honorable mentions receive $500 plus additional services. All entrants receive brief commentary from judges and educational materials from contest sponsors. The prize is designed to support independent authors with not only monetary awards but also valuable industry connections, professional consultations, and promotional opportunities that can advance their writing careers.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 4
- Active Now
- 3
- Source Domain
- winningwriters.com
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
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