The 2025 Contest Deadline is approaching — earlier than usual this year because our Conference is now in June — but there’s still plenty of time to get your stories together and enter as many competitions as you like.
To help you get there, we’ve put together this Contest Toolkit: five blog posts from the archives, each designed to guide you one step closer to a polished, prize-worthy submission.
This post covers the mindset and structure that helps writers write tighter, stronger, and smarter. Think of it as your warm-up before diving in. (Read post…)
Need a jumpstart? This post offers simple prompts and techniques to find inspiration in the everyday. It will help you unlock creative doors you didn’t even know were there. (Read post…)
You’ve written your piece — now what? Before you seal the envelope, this checklist will walk you through everything from structure to punctuation. (Read post…)
4. HOW TO SUCCEED IN WRITING CONTESTS
What does success look like, and how do you get there? This post from the King of the Contest Winners breaks down best practices, submission strategies, and presentation techniques that will help you achieve the best possible outcome. (Read post…)
5. ‘WOW’ THAT SHORT STORY CONTEST JUDGE
Want to stand out? Here’s a peek inside the mind of a contest judge and some practical ways to craft a story that lingers long after the last sentence. (Read post…)
And now, a Gentle Nudge…
Don’t worry about writing a masterpiece. Just write. Pick a contest. Choose a prompt. Grab your toolkit. And give it your best.
The deadline is approaching, but there’s still time to write something meaningful, powerful, and uniquely you.
Remember, you don’t have to be a WCCW member to enter. These contests are for anyone with a story to tell—and that includes you.
We can’t wait to see what you come up with.