Grain Magazine's 24th Annual Short Grain Writing Contest

"Grain" is the most exciting literary magazine on the Canadian and international scene...the one that everyone wants to be published in! Recent issues have featured the work of such literary luminaries as Xi Chuan, Tim Lilburn, Guy Maddin, Miriam Toews, Zsuzsi Gartner, and Eleanor Wachtel. And you could join them in the pages of Grain!

This year's contest judges, Lawrence Hill and rob mclennan, are literary stars in their own right...with impeccable taste!



DEADLINE: APRIL 2, 2012 (POSTMARKED)
$4,500 in prizes to be won! Each entrant receives a FREE subscription to Grain Magazine!
Two categories to enter:
Poetry: (to a max of 100 lines) Poetry of any style including PROSE POEM up to 100 lines.
Fiction: (to a max of 2,500 words) Short fiction in any form including POST CARD STORY, to a maximum of 2500 words.
3 prizes will be awarded in each category:
1st Prize: $1,000
2nd Prize: $750
3rd Prize: $500
And the Judges are...
POETRY: rob mclennan
Author of over 20 trade books of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, including Glengarry (2011) and wild horses (2010).
FICTION: Lawrence Hill
Author of The Book of Negroes and winner of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book.

Entry Guidelines: 

1. The basic fee for Canadian entrants is $35 for a maximum of two entries in one category. The fee for US and International entrants is $40, payable in US funds. Make your cheque or money order payable to: Short Grain Contest.
2. Every entrant receives a one-year (four-issue) subscription to Grain Magazine.
3. All entries must be POSTMARKED by April 2, 2012. Entries postmarked after this date will not be accepted.
4. Each entry must be original, unpublished, not submitted elsewhere for publication or broadcast, nor accepted elsewhere for publication or broadcast, nor entered simultaneously in any other contest or competition. Work that has appeared on the internet is considered published and is not eligible.
5. All entries in this contest will be judged anonymously, on merit alone. The judges' decisions are final. Judges reserve the right not to award a prize in a given category if no entry is of sufficient quality to warrant publication.
6. Entries must be accompanied by a maximum of one cover page, regardless of the number of entries submitted, and must provide the following information:

a) Your name, complete mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
b) Title of your entry (ies).
c) Category you are entering: Poetry (to a max of 100 lines); Fiction (to a max of 2,500 words)
d) Word Count (Fiction) / Line Count (Poetry). An absolutely accurate word or line count is required.
Judging is blind. Do not print, type, or write your name on the text pages of your entry.
7. Your entry must be typed (double-spaced for fiction) on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. It must be legible. Faxed and/or electronic entries not accepted.
8. Entries will not be returned. Keep a copy of your entry.
9. Names of the winners and titles of the winning entries of the 24th Annual Short Grain (with Variations) Contest will be posted on the Grain Magazine website in August, 2012. Contest winners will be notified directly either by telephone or by email prior to the website posting.



Make your cheque or money order payable to Short Grain Contest. Send your entry or entries to:

Short Grain Contest
P.O. Box 67
Saskatoon, SK
Canada, S7K 3K1

NOTE: Entries by email or fax will not be accepted.
DEADLINE: APRIL 2, 2012 (POSTMARKED)