2021 Creative Writing Contests

Poetry/Playwriting/Essays - Deadline: Friday, April 2, 2021

March 1, 2021 News

Grenfell Poetry Prize – Honoring Clarine Coffin Grenfell ‘32

Prizes: 

  • First prize – $200 – for traditional form (sonnet, sestina, etc.)
  • First prize – $200 – for experimental form (open form, free verse, etc.)
  • Second prize – $150 – not restricted as to form
  • Third prize – $100 – not restricted as to form

Eligibilty: Open to all currently enrolled UMaine undergraduates

Guidelines: One entry per person will be accepted, three to five pages of poetry. Your submission may include some poems in traditional form and some in experimental form, but still to the maximum of five pages. Please do not include your name anywhere on the text or in the filename.

Submit entries in pdf format via email to: ellen.manzo@maine.edu and in the subject line of your email, please note “Grenfell Prize” and in the body of the email please include your name, MaineStreet ID #, and the title(s) of your work(s).

Robert C. Hamlet Playwriting Contest

$300 prize

Eligibilty: Open to all currently enrolled UMaine undergraduate and graduate students

Guidelines: All plays submitted must have a title page. Please include the play’s title, but NOT the author’s name on the title page.  All pages of the play’s text, excluding title page, scene and character breakdown, are to be numbered.  Include a character page listing all characters.  Include a scene breakdown page listing all settings of scenes and acts (optional).  Mention and list any production requirements. Performance texts should include a brief description of all images and dances.  Please do not use the format for a screenplay or a published play format; rather, format the play in a rehearsal draft form (see example below).  Include a brief history of the play (this is not needed if the play is a first draft).  Only one entry will be accepted from each participant.

Submit entries in pdf format via email to: ellen.manzo@maine.edu and in the subject line of your email, please note “Hamlet Prize” and in the body of the email please include your name, MaineStreet ID#, and the title of your work.

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Example – STANDARD REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE DRAFT FORMATTING

Stage directions start in the center and go to the right. Single spaced

Characters’ names are centered

Dialogue begins on the left and goes to the right

Double spaced

Albert Morton Turner Essay Writing Contest

Prizes:

  • $100 – undergraduate level (Division 1)
  • $125 – graduate level (Division 2)

Eligibility: Open to all currently enrolled UMaine undergraduate and graduate students

Guidelines:  Only one entry will be accepted from each participant.  Format your essay in MLA Style, double-spaced. Indicate Division I if you are an undergraduate or Division II if a graduate student.  Please do not include your name anywhere on the text or in the filename.

Submit entries in pdf format via email to: ellen.manzo@maine.edu and in the subject line of your email, please note “Turner Prize – Division #.” In the body of the email please include your name, MaineStreet ID#, the title of your work, and the Division number (Division 1 for undergraduates, Division 2 for graduate students).

DEADLINE:  Friday, April 2, 2021

Submit entries in pdf format via email to: ellen.manzo@maine.edu

Award amounts will be credited to student’s university account.

The judges reserve the right to withhold any or all awards if no suitable submissions are received.