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Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest

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A project of Ploughshares (see other related projects).

About

486 members set this contest as a Favorite.

In the spirit of the journal’s founding mission, the Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest recognizes work by an emerging writer in each of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. One winner in each genre per year will receive [a cash prize] and publication in the literary journal. We consider authors “emerging” if they haven’t published or self-published a book.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions, except for current Ploughshare subscribers. The fee is USD $30.
Limited Demographic: Submissions are restricted to those who have not published a book (including chapbooks, ebooks, and self-published works).

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Contest Frequency

Print Publication Print PublicationAwarded 1 x per year.

Fiction Open Fee-based
Dates:

Open to fiction submissions through 15 May 2025 11:59 PM EDT (in 60 days). 8

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:
General General
Lengths:
Flash Fiction Flash FictionUp to 1,000 words.
Short Story Short Story1,000 - 6,000 words.
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $2,000.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.
Media: Text.

Nonfiction Open Fee-based
Dates:

Open to nonfiction submissions through 15 May 2025 11:59 PM EDT (in 60 days). 0

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:
Essay EssayUp to 6,000 words.
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $2,000.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.
Media: Text.

Poetry Open Fee-based
Dates:

Open to poetry submissions through 15 May 2025 11:59 PM EDT (in 60 days). 8

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:
General General
Lengths:
Poem PoemNo line limits known; Unknown number of pieces.
Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Professional payment. Details: USD $2,000.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest Submission Statistics — Free Preview!

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.
AccuracyWe have received 82 reports from 82 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Days Reported2 min | 163.8 mean avg | 170.5 median | 240 max days (232.6 std dev)
Responses91.46 %
Acceptances0.00 % No publication has a 0% acceptance rate. This data is based on submission reports sent to Duotrope, and we have not received reports of any acceptances yet.
Rejections91.46 % (162.3 avg. days per rejection) | 2.7 % personal, 70.7 % form, 26.7 % unspecified | 9.8 % shortlisted
Non-Responses8.54 %
Lost/Returned-
Never Responded-
Withdrawals8.54 % (114.3 avg. days per withdrawal)
Pending17 responses are pending (2 min | 10.2 mean avg | 11.5 median | 15 max days waiting | 976.0 std dev) from 17 different members This only includes pending reports from users who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days

Other Information

The most common submission fee paid: USD $30.00.
Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 01 Jan 2025.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 22 May 2024.

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Ploughshares Charges fees for some submissions
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Dates

Last Updated: 28 Feb 2025
Last Audited: 10 Dec 2024. (We audit each active listing twice a year. Learn more at link.)
Date Added: 12 Jan 2012

Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

  • Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
  • Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
  • Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
  • Be professional, patient, and persistent.