The 2024 San Miguel Writers' Conference “Writing Contest” is NOW OPEN for submissions.

Submit your poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction for a chance to attend the San Miguel Writers' Conference free of charge. Three writers will be awarded a “Full Conference Package” for the week of February 19-23, 2024. Three honorable mention writers will be awarded "Tickets to Two Online Keynote Speakers of their choice." 

Submission Deadline: October 15, 2023 (Midnight CDT). 

Winning Submissions will be announced mid-November, 2023.

Eligibility, Contestants: The contest is open to anyone writing in English who has not yet published or self-published a book that has sold over 1,000 copies in the genre of application. Faculty and administrators of the San Miguel Writers' Conference are not eligible to submit to the writing contest. Previous winners of the writing contest cannot submit and win a second time. 

Eligibility Work: Work submitted must be unpublished. Work may be simultaneously submitted elsewhere, but if it is published or accepted prior to the judging, it will be disqualified from the competition. 

Entry Fee: An entry fee of $30 must be paid for each submission. 

Submission Format: The submission and payment process is entirely electronic. No paper manuscripts will be accepted. 

Multiple Submissions: Applicants may submit multiple applications in one or more genres. However, each application must be complete with entry fee. Each submission must be uploaded separately.

Submission Limits and Format: Prose submissions should not exceed 3,000 words and must be double spaced. Prose submissions may be excerpts from longer works or a complete story or prose piece, so long as the length limit is adhered to. Poetry submissions should not exceed 5 pages and may include a maximum of 3 poems. The author's name must not appear anywhere in the work, including in headers or footers. Submissions must be in the form of a .doc .docx .odt or .pdf.

Acknowledgments: Each applicant may follow the progress of his or her entry on the submittable site. Each applicant will be emailed the results of the contest mid-November.

Publication:  The San Miguel Writers’ Conference reserves the right to publish winning entries on their website. Published entries will remain on the San Miguel Writers’ Conference website for one year. Winners will be expected to forward a short bio and head shot to the San Miguel Writers’ Conference.

First Place Award: “Full Conference Package” fee waivers will be granted to one writer in each of the following genres: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. A “Full Conference Package” includes 5 Keynote Speakers, Giller Spotlight, 2 Online Panels, 4 Two-Hour Workshops, 5 lunches, Opening Reception, 4 Terrace Literary Events, and the Closing Ice Cream Social. The award is valid only for the specific year of the contest and may not be transferred or exchanged. 

The award DOES NOT INCLUDE: Accommodations, Travel Expenses, or Off-Site Evening Events.

Honorable Mention Award: "Tickets to Two Online Keynote Speakers of their choice" fee waivers will be granted as an Honorable Mention Award to one writer in each of the following genres: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The award is valid only for the specific year of the contest and may not be transferred or exchanged. 

Special Note: Writing contest participants are advised to register for the San Miguel Writers' Conference during the “Early Bard Registration Special” if they would like to receive this discount. Winners of the “Writing Contest” who have already registered for the 2023 San Miguel Writers’ Conference will receive a refund of all monies paid.