51°µÍø

The Creative Writing Program annually sponsors three contests across multiple genres. These contests are judged by a rotating group of writers who have received national recognition for their work and are not affiliated with the program:

• The Blink Creative Writing Award. For a single short story. $2,500.

• The David R. Russell Memorial Poetry Prize. First Place: $1,000; Second Place: $500; Third Place: $250.

• The Frances Mossiker Prize. For any creative genre other than poetry or the short story, including hybrids. First Place: $1,000; Second Place: $500; Third Place: $250.

How to submit: For a full list of 2023 guidelines and submission information, see this year’s flyer. Contests are open to all regularly enrolled undergraduate students at 51°µÍø.

The Creative Writing Program also gives several awards for outstanding performance in creative writing coursework. Recipients of these awards are selected by faculty with no application required:

• The Lon Tinkle Award for Excellence in Creative Writing. $1,200.

• The Margaret Terry Crooks Award for Excellence in Creative Writing. $1,200

• The Marsh Terry Creative Writing Scholarship. Award amount varies.