Joyce A. McDonald Writing Competition

Categories

(Insufficient response may result in cancellation of any category and refund for entries.)

Fiction

3,000 words maximum. Short story or novel portion (any selected section, for adults or youths). Please indicate “short story” or “novel excerpt” on the manuscript.

Children’s Literature

1,500 words maximum (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.) written FOR children. NOTE: Novel portions written for adolescents/young people should be entered in Fiction category.

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

2,000 words maximum (any genre; if poetry, one poem)

Nonfiction

2,000 words maximum (essay, article, humorous, how-to, etc.)

Poetry

1 set of up to 3 poems (any form, style)

Entry Rules

Entries must be submitted via email attachment only. Send to contests@tmwi.org.

Persons winning First Place in any TMW contest category are ineligible to enter that same category the following year.

TMW workshop/specialty session leaders are ineligible to enter in the category they’ve taught.

Any individual piece may be entered in one contest category only.

Limit of two (2) entries per category per person.

Entries must not have been previously published, accepted for publication, nor have won any award in a previous TMW contest.

Entry Fees

Full conference attendees: No fee for first entry in each category, $10 per entry for additional entries. Must be paid registrant by Feb.1, 2024.

Part-time or non-conference participants: $15 per entry.

Entry Deadline

Entries must be emailed by midnight (EST) February 1, 2024, to contests@tmwi.org, with payment made via PayPal through our conference Registration Page. Download and consult our contest submission checklist to be sure you’ve included all requested information with each entry.

Prize Information

First place: $100 + plaque
Second place: $50 + certificate
Third place: $25 + certificate
Honorable Mention(s): Certificate
Sue Ellen Hudson Excellence in Writing Award: $100 + trophy

Winners for each category will be announced and awards presented during the TMW banquet Saturday, April 6, 2024.