UIL Writing Competition

What is the prompt? Write a story for your school's UIL competition. (Texas)
Prizes? Last year, the winners received $250. The winners from 2008 will be presenting their stories Saturday at the Texas Book Festival.
Entry Deadline: March. However, stop by to hear the 2008 winners at 2:00 in our State Capitol in the Capitol Extension Room.
Ages: Junior High and High School
Website: Texas Book Festival

I will post more specific information closer to the date of the competition. If you live in or around Austin, I encourage you to attend the Texas Book Festival. I will be camped out there all weekend. (It is like Christmas for me!) A great place to eat while you are there is the Texas Chili Parlor.

Scribophile Halloween Stories!

What is the prompt? Submit your best horror or Halloween story.
How much should you write? No more than 4,000 words.
Prizes: 1st=$50 gift certificate to Amazon 2nd=$25 Amazon giftcard
Entry deadline: October 31, 2008
Entry fee: FREE
Ages: All ages
Website: Scribophile!

Voice of Democracy

What is the prompt? "Service and Sacrifice by America's Veterans Benefit Today's Youth by..."
How much should you write? This is a 3-5 minute audio essay!
Prizes: First=$30,000 college scholarship plus a trip to Washington D.C. There are many other prizes ranging from $1,000 to $16,000 in college scholarships.
Entry Deadline: November 1, 2008
Entry Fee: FREE
Ages: Grades 9-12
Website: Veteran's of Foreign Wars

Flowers Bloom in the Moonlight

What is the prompt? Write a short story, poem, letter or essay. The story should reveal themes of life's beauty awakened in darkness.
How much should you write? 500 to 1500 words
Prizes: Unfortunately, there is no prize at this time. Royalties will be discussed later if your submission gets published.
Entry deadline: October 31, 2008 Entry Fee: Free!
Ages: All ages
Website: Flowers Bloom in the Moonlight

Note: After researching, I think this is a new author trying to get submissions for a book that she is writing about beauty and nature. This author gives good feedback. This contest looks great for writers that are starting out and would like some feedback on their work.

Abilene Writer's Guild

What is the prompt: No prompt. They are accepting submissions in several different categories. Categories include poetry, fiction, articles of general interest, compositions of inspiration, and children stories.
How much should you write? Poems:50 lines/Flash Fiction: 250 words/Articles and stories: 1200 words.
Prizes: 1st=$100, 2nd=$65, 3rd=$35 in each category!
Entry Deadline: October 31, 2008 Entry Fee: $5
Ages: All ages
Website: Abilene Writer's Guild

Patriot's Pen

Writing Prompt: Why should America's veterans should be honored?
How much should you write? 300-400 words
Prizes: 1st=$10,000 Savings Bond and a trip to Washington D.C.! Other prizes range from $1,000 to $10,000 in Savings Bonds.
Entry Deadline: November 1, 2008
Entry Fee: FREE!
Ages: 6th-8th grade
Website: The Official Site of Veteran's of Foreign Wars of the United States

**If you enter the contest, leave a comment and let us know! It is helpful to know which contests are popular!

Funds for Writers

Writing Prompt: What is the best advice that you ever had and ignored? OR What is the best advice that you ever had and followed?

How much should you write? 750 words

Prizes: $50, $20, and $10

Entry Deadline: October 31, 2008

Entry Fee: FREE!

Ages: All ages (You will be competing with adults so make sure that you follow all the rules!)

Website: Funds for Writers (Double click on this link and scroll down to the bottom of page for guidelines.)