The following list includes contests, classes and job links that I've come across in my work. You will find the majority is made up of contests. I feel entering contests help writers find their place in the writing world. Down towards the bottom of the page you will find several helpful writing resources.

Contests:

Contests by Writers Journal:

Write to Win! - Contest Prize -Fifty bucks!

They give you a starter line, you create the short story. 

Poetry Contest- Prize- Fifty bucks(1st),twenty-five (2nd), fifteen (3rd)

*Runs three times a year.

Romance Contest- Prizes same as Poetry Contest

*Annual contest.

Fiction Contest- 1st Prize- Five hundred! 2nd -two hundred, 3rd- fifty

New contest with 5000 word limit, nice cash prizes!

Short Story Contest - 1st prize-Three hundred, 2nd-One hundred, 3rd-Fifty

*Annual contest

Travel Writing Contest - 1st-Fifty, 2nd-Twenty-five, 3rd-Fifteen

*Annual contest

All Writers' Journal Contests offer honorable mentions, there are also different reading fees involved in each contest. Most not over . Guidelines and deadlines can be found at www.writersjournal.com . They also have a monthly giveaway! 2 writing books every month are given away in a random drawing, free entry!

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Short Fiction (up to 5000 wds.) 1st- Three Hundred

http://writingcontest.tripod.com Deadline Jan 15th 2006, late submission deadline Feb. 1st 2006. Mail in form or online submission. 1st entry reading fee is six dollars, after that four bucks per entry.

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New Additions!

Open Fiction Contest

Deadline January 11

Two Thousand Dollar Grand Prize!!!!!!!!  The literary magazine, Glimmer Train Stories

Fifteen dollar Reading fee.

Also by Glimmer Train...

Very short fiction award. Ten dollar reading fee, deadline January 31st.

Twelve-hundred dollar grand prize!!

For guidelines and to submit online go to: www.glimmertrainpress.com

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Short Fiction and Poetry

G.S. Sharat Chandra Prize for short fiction and John Ciardi prize for poetry.

Deadline January 16th,2006

Twenty-five dollar entry fee

One Thousand Dollar Grand Prize and BOOK PUBLICATION!!!!!!!!

Guidelines: www.umkc.edu/bkmk 

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Are you an unpublished author with a book?

OPERATION GRAND BOOK

Jerry Jenkins and Christain Writers Guild are looking for new Christain authors of both fiction and non-fiction for publication.

Prize for best novel and best nonfiction book is TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS and book publication!!!!!!!!!!

Open to current student or member of the Christian Writers Guild.

Go to: www.ChristainWritersGuild.com

Writing Help

Anyone interested in being heard should try out www.gather.com It's an awesome site, with the freedom to write what you want, when you want!

Search Yahoo!

An awesome way to get noticed. Free services such as bio and portfolio. Everything you need to get yourself discovered.

Writer newsletter, freebies, articles and paying job listings.

Filled with answer to those annoying grammar questions. Also has quizzes, courses and resources.

A great magazine and site, full of contests and helpful resources for the freelance writer.

Literary agents, book and mag pubs and competitions.

Writer jobs, contests, advice and agents.

Links to books, authors, reviews, publishers guidelines, articles, workshops and contests.

http://www.ilovepoetry.com/index.asp?affid=ange3432  

A poetry site jam packed with everything for poets and poetry lovers.

Enjoy this character breakdown sheet that I put together. It is perfect for organizing your thoughts.

Developing Your Character

1.Where was this person born? What were his/her parents like?

1.What does this person want? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Is it physical or

1.What does this person do for a living?