The Charlotte Writers' Club hosts four annual contests. Writers may enter more than one contest but cannot enter multiple entries into one specific contest. Additionally, contest entries that have placed in any CWC contest are no longer eligible for future submission.
For example, if you win first, second, or third place in the CWC Nonfiction Contest, you may not submit that piece again for the Elizabeth Simpson Smith Contest. Another example is that you are not allowed to submit the same piece again in the same contest you won previously.
For guidelines, deadlines and area restriction, see general contest eligibility information below, or click on each individual contests for specific guidelines.
Click here for General Manuscript Requirements, Eligibility & Submission Information
All CWC Contests
Contests appear in order of their deadlines throughout the club's year.
Click on the contest name for more details.
Ruth Moose Flash Fiction
Opens: August 18, 2020
Closes: October 20, 2020
Announce Winners: December 15, 2020
Short fiction of up to 500 words.
CWC Nonfiction Contest (article/essay)
Opens: October 20, 2020
Closes: January 2, 2021
Announce Winners: February 16, 2021
Nonfiction from 750-2000 words.
Poetry Contest
Opens: December 15, 2020
Closes: February 16, 2021
Announce Winners: April 20, 2021
Poetry of fewer than 50 lines; haiku excluded.
Elizabeth Simpson Smith Short Story Contest
Opens: January 19, 2021
Closes: March 16, 2021
Announce Winners: May 18, 2021
A short story between 1500-4000 words.
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