National Letters Chair:
Karen McAferty Morris
lettchair@nlapw.org
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2024 Biennial Letters Competition Call for Entries
General Guidelines
The contests are open to all NLAPW letters members in good standing with the following exception: Biennial contest category winning entries in the 2022 Biennial contests will not be accepted for the 2024 Biennial contests. Winners must wait one Biennial before submitting work in the same category.
No electronic submissions. Letters entries must be typed on 8 ½ x 11 white paper only. Do not submit photocopies of newspaper or magazine articles, and do not send books (see Specific Guidelines below regarding books). Single-space poetry, double-space prose. Use Times New Roman or Calibri, 12-point font for all entries, or another plain font.
All entries must have the category letter and category name at the top right corner of the first page of each entry. Judges will NOT decide on the best category for you. Any entry received without a designated entry category will be discarded.
Entries are blind judged. Decisions of the independent judges, who are not Pen Women, are final. All judges are anonymous. Independent judges are not asked to convey their decision-making process comments to the letters chair.
Do NOT include additional materials, such as photographs or illustrations as supplemental material. Only text will be considered. Do not include fancy folders that will be tossed. Staple materials where possible and paperclip larger entries. Judging is based on the quality of the writing alone, not the packaging.
Submissions must be received between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15. Entries must be postmarked on or before the deadline to be considered. Entry fees must be paid at the time of submission, either via PayPal below or via check through the mail to National headquarters. Unpaid entries will not be judged.
Competition winners will be notified at the end of February 2024, in anticipation of the Biennial in April 2024. Winners will receive awards at the Biennial. If winner is not present, prize award will be sent to the winner sometime after May 1.
Specific Guidelines
Submit two copies of cover sheets for each entry. One cover sheet will have your entry title, category title with letter, your name, email, phone number, Pen Women Branch, and address. For blind judging, the other cover sheet will have only the title of your work and category with category letter (not your name).
Submit an entry into only one category.
Do not send books. If submitting to a book category, provide a one-page synopsis, and no more than 30 pages total (double-spaced manuscript or photocopies from the book) from the first AND last chapters. If book is 30 pages or less, send entire manuscript or photocopies.
Manuscript entries will not be returned.
Entry Fees
- Poetry: $15 per entry, covering up to two entries. Each entry consists of one or two poems. If you wish to submit more than two poems, you must pay an additional entry fee of $15 for each additional one to two-poem entry.
- Prose ekphrastic: $15 per entry.
- Article, essay, or short story: $18 per entry. If you wish to submit multiple short stories or essays, you must pay an additional entry fee for each new entry.
- Book excerpts and long manuscripts (over 20 pages): $25 per entry.
Submit entries to Karen McAferty Morris, NLAPW Letters Chair, 710 Halcyon Circle, Pensacola, FL 32506 in a flat mailing envelope via regular mail that requires no signature. Do NOT include your competition check with your entry.
Send your competition check, made payable to NLAPW, to Evelyn Wofford, NLAPW Treasurer, 1300 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-1901 (telephone: 202-785-1997), or pay entry fee via PayPal button on the NLAPW website.
Send questions to Karen McAferty Morris, lettchair@nlapw.org.
Categories
A. MARION DOYLE POETRY AWARD. For poets “whose aim is communication; who believe poetry to be a medium of emotional release, of inspiration; that the mission of poetry is to build spiritual morale; to enrich life with perceptions; who have genius of expression, and lack of modern cynicism.” Poems may be any length. 1st: $100; 2nd: $75; 3rd: $50.
B. MARJORIE DAVIES ROLLER NONFICTION AWARD. For the best nonfiction article or book (published or unpublished) on any subject. 1st: $100; 2nd: $75; 3rd: $50.
C. NORMAN E. AND MARJORIE J. ROLLER AWARD. For best article, story, or book (published or unpublished) on wildlife or outdoor life, exclusive of physical contact sports. 1st: $100; 2nd: $50; 3rd: $25.
D. ANITA MARIE BOGGS MEMORIAL POETRY AWARD. For a poem written in free verse (any length). 1st: $100; 2nd: $50; 3rd: $30.
E. DELLA CROWDER MILLER POETRY AWARD. Established August 18, 1978. Awards for two categories:
a. Petrarchan sonnets. 1st: $100; 2nd: $50; 3rd: $30.
b. Free verse (any length): 1st: $100; 2nd: $50; 3rd: $30.
F. CATHERINE CUSHMAN LEACH POETRY AWARD. Established September 19, 1978. For a poem of merit, published or unpublished. The poem may be on any subject and in any verse form except free verse. 1st: $100; 2nd: $50; 3rd: $30.
G. ELIZABETH M. CAMPBELL POETRY AWARD. For a poem written in traditional form. 1st: $100; 2nd: $50.
H. HELEN SUTTON BOOTH NATIONAL MEMORIAL POETRY AWARD. For any traditional form of poetry of any length. Established October 11, 1986. 1st: $100; 2nd: $75; 3rd: $50.
I. THE ANNE MARX SESTINA AWARD. Established April 9, 1998. For a poem in sestina form on the subject of immigration and/or cultural exchange. The award shall be in the amount of $250.
J. CENTRAL NEW YORK BRANCH JUDITH MCGINN SHORT STORY AWARD. For an unpublished short story of 7,000 words or less on any subject, honoring the irony of Flannery O’Connor’s writing. 1st: $100; 2nd: $70; 3rd: $30.
K. DELTA BRANCH GRACE K. WOFFORD ESSAY AWARD. For an unpublished essay on any subject. 1st: $100; 2nd: $70; 3rd: $30.
L. SANDRA SEATON MICHEL CHILDREN’S BOOK OR STORY AWARD. For a children’s book or story (unpublished or published). 1st: $100; 2nd: $70; 3rd: $30.
M. SANDRA SEATON MICHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL STORY AWARD. For a book or short story (published or unpublished) for an age-appropriate middle school child. 1st: $100; 2nd: $70; 3rd: $30.
N. PENSACOLA BRANCH ANN T. DAVIS MEMORIAL EKPHRASTIC AWARD. For a nonfiction or fiction prose ekphrastic of 300-500 words. Provide a photocopy of the image of the art or a link to one. 1st: $100; 2nd: $75; 3rd: $50.
O. EVELYN B. WOFFORD JOURNALISM AWARD. For an unpublished article or feature story of high journalistic merit. 1st: $100; 2nd: $70; 3rd: $30.
P. FICTION BOOK AWARD. For an unpublished manuscript or published book of fiction in any sub-genre. 1st prize only: $200.
Q. MEMOIR AWARD. For a published or unpublished memoir excerpt of up to 35 pages. 1st: $100; 2nd: $70; 3rd: $30.
PAY VIA PAYPAL