Note that our literary contests are for short form, never-before-published work. If you are looking for details about our published book awards, click here.
Annual Writing Contests
Open for Submissions April 1 through June 15
All residents of the state of Kansas are invited to enter the annual literary contests of the Kansas Authors Club. Entries in 18 categories of prose and poetry are accepted April 1 to June 15 with cash prizes presented at the Kansas Authors Club Writing Retreat on October 5, 2025. Winners who cannot attend the awards ceremony will receive awards by mail after the event. All residents of the state of Kansas are welcome to enter, and those who are members get discounted entry fees. Members of the club may reside anywhere in Kansas and beyond.
- Ekphrastic Poetry category added
- Short Story category now accepting fiction up to 2,500 words
- Youth Contest has added a Visual Arts category
Read the complete guidelines for details.