Each year So to Speak offers a fiction, nonfiction, and poetry contest. Past judges have included Claudia Emerson, Jennifer Lauck, Marie Howe, Sharon Mehdi, and Lucy Corin.
Winners in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction are awarded $500, 2 complimentary issues, and publication in the journal. The three finalists are also featured in the journal.
Spring 2011 POETRY CONTEST
To enter, submit up to 5 poems, not to exceed 10 pages either electronically or via regular mail. If you submit through regular mail, please include two copies of your manuscript: one with your name and contact information and one without. Include a cover letter and a SASE for response. The reading fee is $15. Please make checks or money orders payable to George Mason University. Contest entries are not returned.
All entrants will receive a free copy of our Spring 2011 issue.
Deadline: October 15, 2010
Judge: Arielle Greenberg
Spring 2011 NONFICTION CONTEST
We welcome submissions of personal essays, memoir, profiles, and other nonfiction pieces not exceeding 4,000 words. Manuscripts should be typed and double-spaced with numbered pages. To enter, submit either electronically or via regular mail. If you submit through regular mail, include two copies of your manuscript: one with your name and contact information and one without. Include a cover letter and a SASE for response. The reading fee is $15. Please make checks or money orders payable to George Mason University. Contest entries are not returned.
All entrants will receive a free copy of our Spring 2011 issue.
Deadline: October 15, 2010
Judge: Michael Sims
Fall 2011 SHORT FICTION CONTEST
To enter, submit either electronically or via regular mail. If you submit through regular mail, please submit two copies of your manuscript: one with your name and contact information and one without. Manuscripts should not exceed 5,000 words; they should be typed and double-spaced with numbered pages. Include a cover letter and a SASE for response. The reading fee is $15. Please make checks or money orders payable to George Mason University. Contest entries are not returned.
All entrants will receive a free copy of our Spring 2011 issue.
Deadline: March 15, 2011
Judge: TBD
Contest Submission Guidelines
Electronic Entries
To enter electronically, please use our online Submission Manager. You will not need to mail anything to us and will be able to pay online.
Regular Mail Entries
To be considered for our annual contests, entrants should send the following:
1. Two copies of the manuscript, one with entrant name and contact information and one without.
2. $15 entry fee via check or money order made out to George Mason University. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH. The entry fees are what make this contest possible.
3. SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope).
4. A cover letter stating the following:
* Your complete contact information. Note that we prefer home contact infromation, and please include an e-mail address if possible.
* That your work is a contest entry.
* A bio, not longer than 75 words, that describes your background as a writer or artist, including awards or other publications.
* How you heard about So to Speak (for example, if through a directory, which one?).
Mail Contest Submissions to:
So to Speak
(Fiction, Nonfiction, or Poetry Contest)
George Mason University, MSN 2C5
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Please make checks payable to George Mason University.
*Note* We will not consider any submission that does not adhere to the guidelines and will immediately recycle the submission.
More information here.
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
