PNWA Writers' Contest

Entry deadline March 31, 2021 ~ Mail-in entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2021 

Awards will be given as follows:
1st Place: $600  |  2nd Place: $250  |  3rd Place: $150 
Awards & Benefits
  • Finalists notified prior to the PNWA Conference (September 16-19, 2021)
  • Winners announced at Conference
  • Every entry will receive 2 critiques
  • Finalists’ entries are judged by an agent or publisher who will determine the top three in each category.
  • First, second & third place winners are given the opportunity to attend the Agents and Editors After-Awards Celebration at Conference. 
Pricing
‍
Postmarked by January 31st
$37.00 per entry (PNWA Member)
$52.00 per entry (Non-member)
‍
Postmarked by March 31st
$47.00 per entry (PNWA Member)
$62.00 per entry (Non-member)  
  • NEW This Year: Scoring Change for the Unpublished Writing Contest
    ‍    We will not disqualify entries for non-compliance. Instead, failing to follow rules will result in up to a 20% deduction from your final score. Please pay close attention to maximize your chance to become a finalist.* Scoring sheet available post-conference, upon request
  • Do not enter the same piece into multiple categories.
  • Entry fee cannot be refunded.
  • No replacement entries will be accepted.
  • Your name can not be on the entry document anywhere.
Our unpublished writing contest has a lot of changes this year. Check out the recording of our meeting below, where we shared most of the changes:
Need to review the slides from the presentation? You can do so here: Presentation Slides

Contest Categories

  1. Mainstream
    Sponsor: Kelli Estes
  2. Historical 
    Sponsor: Pam Binder
  3. Romance/Woman's Fiction
    Sponsor: Open
  4. Mystery/Thriller/Horror
    Sponsor: Melanie MacDonald
  5. Science Fiction/Fantasy/Paranormal
    Sponsor: Melinda Rucker Haynes
  6. Young Adult
    Sponsor: Sandra Piotrowski
  1. Middle Grade
    Sponsor: Flamingo Writers
  2. Memoir/Nonfiction
    Sponsor: Donna Conrad
  3. Short Story
    Sponsor: Kelly Vincent
  4. Children’s Picture/Ch. Book
    Sponsor: DeeAnna Galbraith
  5. Adult Short Topics (Nonfiction) Articles/Essay/Short Memoir
    Sponsor: Behler Publications
  6. Screenwriting/TV Pilots 
    Sponsor: 5x5 Productions

Entry Checklists

Here are some checklists to help you get your entry prepared. Download the appropriate list for your category and print it out. When you are filling out the entry application use the list to make sure you maximize your possible score.
Check list for
category 1-8 (PDF)
Check list for
category 9-11 (PDF)
Check list for
category 12 (PDF)

Sample scoring sheet

Here are some checklists to help you get your entry prepared. Download the appropriate list for your category and print it out. When you are filling out the entry application use the list to make sure you maximize your possible score.
Sample Score
Sheet (PDF)

Enter the contest

Fill out the form online
Mail in - Download and print out the entry form.
Enter online
Download entry form (PDF)