Polish. Submit. Succeed.
The Pennwriters Annual Writing Contest opens for submissions on January 1, 2026, inviting members to showcase their craft and receive professional feedback from published authors and experienced judges. Whether your words flow as lyrical poetry, pulse through the opening pages of a gripping novel, or shine in a heartfelt short story or essay, this contest is your opportunity to put your best work
forward.
Pennwriters has promoted literary excellence since 1988 with one mission: to empower members to transform promising drafts into polished, publication-ready works through constructive feedback, professional standards, and a supportive community.
Submissions from January 1-January 31, 2026.
Categories
- Novel Beginnings: the first 10 pages of a book-length work.
- Short Story: a complete story up to 10 pages.
- Nonfiction: the first 10 pages of a memoir, article, or book-length work.
- Poetry: up to three poems with a combined maximum of 10 pages.
- Note: the three poems are judged as a single entry. If you want poems judged individually, submit each as a separate entry with a fee for each.
All categories are judged blind ensuring every writer’s work is evaluated on its own merit. Judges provide constructive, category-specific feedback, which offers an invaluable chance to learn and grow even if you do not take home a prize.
This contest goes beyond competition. It is about development. You will receive professional-level feedback designed to strengthen your storytelling, refine your voice, and prepare your manuscript for editors and agents.
Awards
Winners are announced at the 2026 Pennwriters Annual Conference in May during the Saturday
luncheon.
- First Place: certificate and a 100-dollar voucher for the annual conference, usable in 2027 or 2028.
- Second Place: certificate and a 50-dollar voucher for the annual conference, usable in 2027 or 2028.
- Third Place: certificate and free entry for next year’s writing contest.
Winners are also recognized on Pennwriters’ social media. Winners not present at the Annual Conference will receive their certificates and prizes by mail.
Key Dates and Details
- Contest opens January 1, 2026.
- Contest closes January 31, 2026. This is the submission deadline.
- Entry fee: $20 per entry.
- Fiction, Nonfiction, or Short Story: one piece per fee.
- Poetry: up to three poems per fee, judged together.
- Membership requirement: you must be a Pennwriters member by December 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm (Eastern time).
- Official rules and regulations, and judging rubrics for all categories, may be found in the document library.
Formatting Requirements:
- Double-spaced with one-inch margins
- Twelve-point font either Times New Roman or Courier New
- Title of the piece and category (Novel Beginning, Short Story, Poetry, Non-Fiction) in the header
- Page numbers in the footer
- Omit the author name. The contest is judged blind. If an author name appears on a submission, the entry will be disqualified and entry fees will not be refunded.
This is your moment to shine, learn, and grow within a supportive community of writers who share your passion for words. As the tagline says: Polish. Submit. Succeed.
So, dust off that manuscript, rework that favorite poem, and let your creativity take center stage.
Questions? contact Contest Co-Coordinators Debra Sanchez and Mary Sutton at writingcontestcoordinators@pennwriters.org.
When the contest opens, if you are a member, you will see buttons below for each contest category. Click one of them to submit an entry. If you wish to enter more than once, return to this page and click one of the buttons to submit again.