Writing Contest
- harambeepress
- Jun 3
- 4 min read
Being published doesn't always mean a book contract. I am a huge fan of writing contests. I've done this in the past, but let me encourage you to consider entering at least one. Below are three to consider.
$5,000 in cash
An interview with them in Writer’s Digest (Nov/Dec 2025 issue) and on WritersDigest.com
A paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including a special trophy presentation at the keynote
A coveted pitch opportunity where the winner will receive one on one attention from editors or agents
Publication of their winning piece on WritersDigest.com
From Website: “Only original works that have not been published (at the time of submission) in print, digital, or online publications will be considered. Self-published work in blogs, on social media, etc. will be considered. For the script category, only unproduced scripts will be considered. Entries in the Nonfiction Essay or Article category may be previously published. All entries must be in English. Memoirs/Personal Essay, Nonfiction Essay or Article, and Children’s/Young Adult Fiction: 2,000 words maximum. Mainstream/Literary Short Story, Genre Short, Story, and Humor: 4,000 words maximum. Inspirational Writing: 2,500 words maximum. Rhyming Poem and Non-rhyming Poem: 40 lines maximum.”
Please submit duringOctober 15, 2024-May 1, 2025
Prizes:
STORY: First Prize, $3,500
ESSAY: First Prize, $3,500
The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value)
10 Honorable Mentions will receive $500 each (any category)
Top 12 entries published online
Enter via Submittable
For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. Final judge: Mina Manchester, assisted by Sarah Halper. Please submit as many entries as you like. All themes accepted. Entries may be published or unpublished. Length limit: 6,000 words maximum. No restriction on age of author. All countries eligible except Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, or Belarus (due to US government restrictions). Fee: $25 per entry. Read the winning entries from the 32nd contest.
Today's Christian Living
2025 Writing ContestDeadline: Entries must be received by August 15, 2025
It isn’t always easy to obey God, especially when we can’t see the purpose or outcome of what He’s telling us to do. In 1200-1500 words, tell us your story (or someone else’s) about trusting God and choosing obedience. Were you hesitant to obey at first? Why? What about God’s character allowed you to trust and obey Him? What did obeying God require of you? What was the outcome? How did choosing to obey impact your walk with God and/or your relationship with others?
Please include a short author’s biography and 2-3 personal photos (if relevant) that complement your story.
1st Prize: $300 and we publish your article2nd Prize: $200 and we publish your article3rd Prize: $100 and we publish your article
Submissions must be received by August 15, 2025.Winners will be announced in the January 2026 issue.
Email submissions to editor@todayschristianliving.org with Contest Submission in the subject line.Or send by mail to: Today’s Christian Living, ATTN: Editor, P.O. Box 5000, Iola, WI 54945
*All submissions must be previously unpublished and your own work. By entering, you are granting us permission to publish your story if you win. Winning submissions become the property of Today’s Christian Living and may be edited. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, only winners will be notified.
Tips for Submitting a Winning Entry
To write a compelling, award-winning article for the annual writing contest, study stories from past issues of Today’s Christian Living. Today’s Christian Living is an inspirational magazine, so we focus on articles showing how Jesus has transformed a person’s life. These stories illustrate how their lives glorify God rather than emphasizing information, preaching, or teaching. (We generally reserve our teaching and informational articles for our staff columnists.)
Before writing a story about someone else, make sure you have their permission. Then allow them to read the story and approve it before you submit the story. Even if you feel you are being complimentary, they may not want their story in print.
Rather than trying to cover too many details about a person’s life, focus on just one or two main events and develop those in more depth. Readers are more able to relate to a story when focused on a specific situation rather than giving a laundry list of general facts about a person or a ministry. Help the reader visualize the story through vivid details. You can also include dialogue to help engage readers in the story.
With your contest submission, include three to five quality, high-resolution color photos to illustrate the article, a quality, high-resolution color photo (headshot) of the author, and a brief author bio of 35 to 50 words.
Photos must be copyright-free, color digital images that are high-resolution (at least 5” x 7” at 300 dpi). If you send a 72 dpi image that’s 3″ x 3″ on screen, it will be less than one inch when it is converted to 300 dpi for print. So, it’s important that the image is large enough to convert. Photos do not need to be taken by a professional, as most digital cameras are capable of taking high quality photos, but make sure the camera is set to the highest resolution setting. High resolution print quality photos are generally 2 to 3 MB or larger. However, to ensure photos are able to be emailed, keep each photo less than 8 MB. The standard digital camera format JPEG is the best format to submit. Keep in mind that good composition, lighting, and focus are essential to good photography.
Rights and Requirements: Do not submit articles that have been published by other publications. All articles and photos must be original to Today’s Christian Living. Today’s Christian Living purchases all first rights. Manuscripts should be edited and all information contained within confirmed by the author. All completed articles are subject to editing for space, style, and content. (Additional rights and requirements are outlined in an Author’s Contract, provided to writers upon article acceptance. Contracts must be signed and returned.)
Stories and photos may be sent via email to: editor@todayschristianliving.org Include Contest Submission in the subject line.
Or send by mail to: Today’s Christian Living, ATTN: Editor, PO Box 5000, Iola, WI 54945.
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