Contests for speculative fiction, children's novels, short stories, poetry and nonfiction, including a free contest

Speculative fiction short story contest: Entries are welcome for the Friends of the Merril Short Story Contest. First prize: $500. Seeking original, inclusive, previously unpublished speculative fiction. Length: 5,000 words max. Entry fee: $5 per entry. Unlimited entries.

Deadline: February 15, 2014. Guidelines here. 

Free contest: Online and ebook journal Switchback (MFA-run, University of San Francisco, CA) is accepting poems, short stories, essays, and art. Three Editors’ prizes available, including a $200 prize for best piece. No reading fees. 

Deadline: February 28, 2014. Guidelines here.

Grasmere Publishing (BC) invites entries for the Lynn Manuel Children’s Fiction Contest. Prize: $500 cash plus $1,000 advance against royalties, and publication. Open to novels suitable for children aged 7-16 years old. Looking for an engaging voice, well-developed characters, and a strong storyline. Length: 25,000-75,000 words (submit first chapter only). No theme for contest, but no violence. Open to Canadian and US residents who have not previously published a novel for children. Entry fee: $30.

Deadline: March 1, 2014 Guidelines: grasmerepublishing.com

Writers’ Union of Canada Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers
$2,500 prize

The Writers' Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted for the 21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers. The winning entry will be the best Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction or non-fiction, written by an unpublished author.

The winning entry and the finalists will be submitted to three Canadian magazines. This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who have not had a book published in any genre and who do not currently have a contract with a book publisher. Original and unpublished (English language) fiction or non-fiction is eligible. Entry fee: $29

Deadline: postmarked by March 1, 2014. Full guidelines here.

See Brian Henry’s schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Barrie, Brampton, Bolton, Burlington, Caledon, Cambridge, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Orillia, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Stouffville, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Algoma, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.