Collier’s National Writing Contest
America’s Story.Told by You.
Collier’s has championed bold storytelling for over a century. Now we want yours. Enter our fiction or non-fiction contest for a chance to win and see your work in print.
Grand Prize
$500
plus publication in Collier’s Magazine
- Submit Fiction or Non-Fiction
- Finalists considered for publication & editorial features
- Honorable mentions at the judges’ discretion
Two Ways to Enter
Open to emerging and established writers alike. Each submission must be clearly labeled as Fiction or Non-Fiction.
Fiction
Short stories across all genres, including literary fiction, historical fiction, speculative work, and experimental narrative forms.
Non-Fiction
Personal essays, memoir, narrative journalism, and true stories grounded in lived experience or reported fact.
How to Enter
A submission is not considered complete until all required materials are received.
- 01
Write & Polish
Original unpaid work up to 2,000 words, double-spaced, 12-point standard font, pages numbered.
- 02
Prepare Files
Keep your name off the manuscript for blind judging. Add a separate cover page with your contact details and category.
- 03
Pay the Entry Fee
Submit the $25 non-refundable fee per entry. Entries without payment will not be judged.
- 04
Submit Your Manuscript
You’ll be taken to the submission form as soon as your entry fee is confirmed.
The Essentials
The details that matter most before you submit. Full rules are below.
- Word Limit
- 2,000 words maximum, in English. Title excluded from the count.
- Entry Fee
- $25 per submission, non-refundable.
- Eligibility
- 18 and older, U.S. and international writers welcome.
- Originality
- Must be original and unpaid, in any form online or in print.
- Entries
- One entry per category unless otherwise noted.
- Format
- .doc or .docx only. Double-spaced, 12-pt, numbered pages.
- Blind Review
- Author name must not appear on the manuscript. Use a separate cover page.
- Deadline
- Midnight August 21, 2026 — strictly enforced.
Official Contest Rules
Collier’s has long stood for bold storytelling, memorable voices, and writing that reaches beyond the page. This contest is open to both emerging and established writers who share that spirit.
1Eligibility
- Open to writers 18 years of age and older unless otherwise specified.
- Submissions are accepted from U.S. and international writers, subject to applicable laws.
- Employees, affiliates, contest judges, and immediate family members of Collier’s or its partners are not eligible to participate.
2Categories
- Fiction: Short stories across all genres, including literary fiction, historical fiction, speculative work, and experimental narrative forms.
- Non-Fiction: Personal essays, memoir, narrative journalism, and true stories grounded in lived experience or reported fact.
3Submission Guidelines
- Eligible submissions must be original works for which the author has not received payment.
- Each entrant may submit one entry per category unless otherwise noted.
- Maximum length: 2,000 words.
- Word count includes all body text; title is excluded.
- All submissions must be written in English.
4Formatting Requirements
- Manuscripts must be double-spaced, typed, and in a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar).
- Pages must be numbered.
- The author’s name must NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript file.
5Submission Process
- Entries are submitted online once the entry fee has been paid.
- Accepted formats: text documents .doc or .docx.
- Handwritten or physical mail submissions will not be accepted unless explicitly pre-approved by Collier’s.
6Entry Fee
- A non-refundable entry fee of $25 per submission applies.
- Payment instructions will be provided on the official contest page.
- Entries submitted without payment (if required) will not be judged.
7Judging Criteria
- Originality and imaginative reach
- Craft, structure, and command of language
- Narrative clarity and cohesion
- Emotional or intellectual impact
- Distinctiveness of voice
8Awards & Recognition
- Grand Prize Winner (Fiction or Non-Fiction): Publication in Collier’s Magazine and a $500 cash prize.
- Selected finalists may also be considered for publication and editorial features.
- Additional honorable mentions may be awarded at the discretion of the judges.
9Rights & Publication
- Writers retain full copyright of their work.
- By entering, participants grant Collier’s first publication rights for a limited period of 60 days.
- After the first publication window, all rights revert to the author.
- Writer grants Collier’s perpetual rights for publication and re-publication or promotional use of material without compensation to writer in any LNN USA publication or platform.
10Disqualification
- Exceed the 2,000-word limit
- Contain plagiarized or previously published material
- Include identifying information within the manuscript (violating blind review rules)
- Fail to meet eligibility, formatting, or submission requirements
- Contain unlawful, defamatory, or inappropriate content
11Deadlines
- Submission deadlines are final and strictly enforced.
- Late entries will not be reviewed or refunded.
12Winner Notification
- Winners and finalists will be notified directly via email or phone.
- Results may also be announced on Collier’s official platforms and in print.
13General Conditions
- By submitting an entry, participants agree to abide by all contest rules. Collier’s reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the contest if necessary. Any disputes will be governed by applicable U.S. law.
Submissions Open
Your Words Belong in Print.
Enter the Collier’s National Writing Contest and join a tradition of telling America’s stories, straight.