Contests for Writers - Happy Dead Trees

Writing Contests Home Page

Welcome to our first annual series of Writing Contests. Details about each contest are listed below. Some of the contests are strictly for bragging rights, while others offer cash prizes. Noteworthy entries will be featured on our homepage—and in our blog—throughout the coming year. Cash prizes offered in the 2009/2010 contests total $3000.

Write for a general audience. There are already lots of places for so-called adult themed stories, we have no intention of joining their ranks, and will reject any stories that don't follow the simple rule of writing for a general audience.

Short Story Contest - for Adult Writers

Anyone can enter the Short Story Contest, but entries will be judged based on the skill level expected from an adult. I suspect that we will see entries from teenagers that will make 50-year-old amateur writers weep out of jealousy and frustration. Before you enter the contest, please visit the rules page and read the rules very carefully. Cash prizes in this category total $1000.

Short Story Contest - for Kids

The Kids' Short Story Contest is open to anyone 18 or under. Entries are searchable by age and the best stories in each age group will receive awards. The rules for the Kids' Short Story Contest can be found here. Please read them very carefully. If you are younger than 13, you must submit your story through an account set up by an adult. Cash prizes in this category total $1000.

Poetry Contest

Poets of any age are welcome to submit their poems for this bragging-rights-only contest. If the quantity and quality of entries is sufficiently high, we intend to offer cash prizes in this category during the 2010/2011 contest. Throughout the year notable poems will be featured prominently on the Happy Dead Trees website.

Self-Published Book Showcase - Fiction and Nonfiction

Any self-published book produced in the past five years—and currently available for sale—is eligible to be entered in this contest. Cash prizes will be awarded in both the fiction and nonfiction categories. Please read the rules carefully before entering the contest. Cash prizes in this category total $1000.

Register now and start submitting your work, or just click on a link below to start reading - and enjoy!