PLEASE NOTE: Contest guidelines have changed.

Beginning in December 2010, we will no longer publish fiction and poetry in the regular quarterly issue, but will publish a special literary issue online and in print. The New Southerner Literary Edition will feature winners of the nonfiction and fiction prizes and the James Baker Hall Memorial Prize in Poetry, as well as finalists. Editor’s note: The print edition featuring 2009 contest winners and finalists will be published in September 2010.

If you are interested in submitting nonfiction works up to 500 words to our regular online edition, click here for magazine guidelines.

NEW CONTEST GUIDELINES

We accept submissions of previously unpublished poetry, fiction and nonfiction from April 1 through October 1. Although the contest theme is open, we are especially interested in work that relates to our mission, which is promoting self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship and local economies. We are also interested in works by writers with a Southern connection, and works written with a Southern slant or that focus on Southern issues, people and places.

• Prizes: $200 for winners of Fiction, Nonfiction and the James Baker Memorial Prize in Poetry; publication in the literary edition; invitation to read at a special event;
  
• Finalists in all categories receive $15 and publication in the literary edition;
  
• Submit fiction and nonfiction up to 5,000 words;
• Submit poems up to 100 lines;
• Contest fee: $10 per entry;
  
• Multiple entries are accepted;
  
• Simultaneously submitted entries are accepted as long as you notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere; entry fee is not refundable;
  
• Postmark deadline: October 1;
• Winners will be notified by November 20;
• Finalists and winning entries will be announced in The New Southerner Literary Edition, available online and in print at www.newsoutherner.com in December.
  

JUDGING

New Southerner editors and advisory board members select the top five entries in each category. Final judges select winning entries. This year’s final judges are (click image for judges’ bios):

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS

We prefer electronic submissions and fee payment. Work should be single or double spaced with one-inch margins and saved as a word document, rich text file or plain text file.  To submit multiple entries, you must include all work in a single document (doc, rtf or txt file only). You may submit up to six entries at a time in a single document. If you submit entries in multiple categories, be sure to indicate the category for each entry (nonfiction, fiction, poetry) next to the title in your document. If your name appears anywhere on the entry, it will be removed before the judging process.

Click here to go to the Contest Submissions Form. Be sure to provide all information, then click “send email” to submit your entry/entries. A link will appear directing you to our secure PayPal link. Payment must be made at the time of submission. Entries received without payment will be discarded. If you have problems submitting your work, click here to send us a message.

SUBMISSIONS BY MAIL

Follow guidelines listed above. All entries sent by U.S. mail must include a single title page with the following information:

• Title of entry/entries
• Category/categories listed in parentheses next to title/titles
  
• Name
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Email address

Your name should appear on the title page only. Number all pages. Please do not paper clip or staple pages. Place title page on top. No cover letters. Include $10 for each entry. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Swallowtail Press. Mail to:

New Southerner Literary Contest
Swallowtail Press
375 Wood Valley Lane
Louisville, KY 40299