Welcome to the 20th annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest sponsored by Tom Howard Books. Any type of original short story, essay or other work of prose is eligible. Prizes totaling $5,550 will be awarded, including a top prize of $3,000. Click here to read winning entries from the past.
Submission Period Entries accepted July 15, 2011-March 31, 2012 (postmark dates). Early submission is encouraged.
What to Submit Short stories, essays or other works of prose, up to 5,000 words each. There are no restrictions on style or theme. Each entry should be your own original work. You may submit the same work simultaneously to this contest and to others, and you may submit works that have been published or won prizes elsewhere, as long as you own the online publication rights. See our FAQ for additional details.
Prizes and Publication First prize: $3,000. Second prize: $1,000. Third prize: $400. Fourth prize: $250. There will also be six Most Highly Commended Awards of $150 each. The top 10 entries will be published on the Winning Writers website (over one million page views per year) and announced in Tom Howard Contest News and the Winning Writers Newsletter, a combined audience of over 35,000 readers.
Entry Fee The reading fee is $15 per entry. This covers your submission of one short story or prose work of up to 5,000 words. Contestants may submit as many entries as they like. Please note: Generally entry fees are not refundable. However, if you believe you have an exceptional circumstance, please contact us within one year of your entry.
Deadline March 31, 2012. Your entry must be postmarked or submitted online by this date.
Previous Winners
2010 winners
First Prize, $3,000 - Emily Jiang, USA Second Prize, $1,000 - M.T. Gabrick, USA Third Prize, $400 - Arlene Lidbergh-Jasper, USA
