Shepherd University’s Appalachian Heritage Literary Project announces the West Virginia Fiction Competition, a literary competition to encourage writers and storytellers, whose talent and ability in creative writing is distinctive and promising, and to foster an appreciation of Appalachian culture and values represented in the diverse writing of the region. Submissions are encouraged from any resident of West Virginia or student in West Virginia who meets the criteria below. Click here to view a list of past Fiction Competition winners.
Who can submit? Any resident of West Virginia or student attending school in West Virginia.
What are the limitations upon submissions? Any original, unpublished work of fiction, 5,000 word maximum, double spaced, one submission only. Submission may not have received any other award, recognition, or special honor.
What is the deadline for submissions? May 1, 2021
Where should submissions be mailed?
West Virginia Fiction Competition
c/o Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt
Shepherd University
P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000
Electronic submissions should be sent to sshurbut@shepherd.edu.
What should accompany submissions? The application form below.
What prize will be awarded? $500.00 First Prize Award and possible publication, $100 each for Second Place, Third Place, and Judges’ Choice Awards for high school and middle school students.
Who will select the fiction contest winner? A panel of writers, editors, and creative writing instructors will choose finalists, and the 2021 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (AHWIR) Marie Manilla will select winners from these finalists. The Fiction Prizes are funded by the West Virginia Center for the Book and will be presented by Marie Manilla on the night of Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Shepherd University. Manilla will also provide reviews of each finalist’s story. The WV Fiction Competition is part of the 2021 AHWIR Project and Marie Manilla residency: “Other People’s Shoes: Fiction, Empathy, and the Writing of Marie Manilla.” Manilla’s award-winning novel The Patron Saint of Ugly will be the 2021 One Book One West Virginia Common Read. Fiction Competition winners will dine with Manilla on the evening of the awards. All finalist and judges choice stories will be considered for the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Marie Manilla Volume XIV.
When will the winners be notified? August 1, 2021
West Virginia Fiction Competition Submission
Name:
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Title of Submission:
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Address:
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E-mail:
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Phone:
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Brief Bio. (100 word limit)
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