Writing Competition: 2020 CRAFT Creative Nonfiction Award

GUIDELINES:

Open November 1 to December 31

CRAFT submissions are open to all writers

International submissions are allowed

Creative nonfiction only! (please no academic work or fiction)

Please submit work in English only

• 6,000 word count maximum

• We review literary nonfiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles including memoir, lyric essays, personal essays, narrative nonfiction, and experimental prose—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft

• Previously unpublished work only—we do not review reprints, including self-published work, for contests

• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers please notify us and withdraw your entry if your work is accepted elsewhere
  

• $20 reading fee per entry allows ONE creative nonfiction piece from 1,001 to 6,000 words OR up to TWO flash creative nonfiction pieces of 1,000 words or fewer each—if submitting two flash pieces (2,000 words maximum combined/1,000 words maximum each), please put them both in a SINGLE document

• We allow multiple submissions—each entry should be accompanied by a reading fee

• All entries will also be considered for publication in CRAFT

• All submissions must be made via Submittable

• All entrants will receive an exclusive digital compilation next summer that includes: the winning pieces with Joy Castro’s introductions and the winners’ craft essays; the editors’ choice winners; excerpts from finalist pieces; and more

• Please, please, double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12 pt font

• Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history (if applicable)

• We do not require anonymous submissions

• We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason

• Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication: work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review (you will be refunded, less fees)

Friends, family, and associates of the judge are not eligible for consideration for the award.

AWARDS

The writers of the three winning essays will receive:

• $1,000 each

• A complete set of fourteen titles of Graywolf’s The Art Of series

• Publication in CRAFT, each with an introduction by Joy Castro

• Publication of an Author’s Note (craft essay) to accompany the piece

The $600 editors’ choice round:

• Publication and a cash prize to a piece or pieces we just can’t let go

• A complete set of fourteen titles of Graywolf’s The Art Of series