LITERARY COMPETITION
Voices of the Southeast and the next generation of storytellers
The Arts Council of York County Literary Competitions highlight the best in short stories and poetry from across the Southeast United States; and the Youth Literary Competitions highlight the best in short stories and poetry by students enrolled in K-12 programs from across York County, SC.
SUBMISSIONS
• Entries are accepted online.
• An online form must be completed for each entry.
• Submissions must be double-spaced and in 12 point, Times New Roman font and traditionally formatted works must include auto-indents to paragraphs. (Spacing requirements do not apply to submissions classified as poetry, as the poet will retain creative license over formatting.)
• Digital files must be .pdf, .doc, .docx, or .gdoc files.
• File names must be the title of the poem or short story. Example: theiceburg.pdf.
• The writer’s name and/or photo must not appear on the manuscript or in the file name so works can be judged anonymously.
POETRY
Entries may not exceed 100 lines.
For poems of the stanza, haiku, or sonnet variety, please use 12 point, Times New Roman font. If visual formatting is important to your piece of poetry please submit in clearly readable font and size.
SHORT STORY
Entries may not exceed 6,000 words.
Stories must be double spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font, with auto-indented paragraphs.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ENTRY DEADLINE
Sunday, February 9, 2025
PUBLIC READING & AWARDS CEREMONY
All participants are invited to a public reading and awards ceremony.
Wednesday, April 10, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Center for the Arts | 121 East Main Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730
ADULT COMPETITION
The 20th Annual Literary Competition is open to all artists in the Southeast United States.
The short story and poetry competitions are open to any subject. All submissions must be the unpublished, original work of the artist. Rights remain with the artist.
Artists must be 18 or older and must not be enrolled in a K-12 program.Students enrolled in a K-12 program may enter the 12th Annual Youth Literary Competition.
FEES
$15 per entry
ONLINE | Tickets
BY PHONE | (803) 328-2787
BY MAIL | Arts Council of York County
ATTN: Literary Competition
PO Box 2797
Rock Hill, SC 29732
IN PERSON | Center for the Arts
121 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC 29730
Please make checks payable to Arts Council of York County.
This fee is non-refundable, even if works are not accepted.
All mailed or delivered payments must be received by Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 5 PM.
NOTE: This is NOT a postmark deadline.
AWARDS
Awards for the adult competition will be issued for each category - poetry and short story.
• 1st Place $125
• 2nd Place $75
• 3rd Place $50
Only one prize per artist, per category will be awarded. Authors are permitted to enter both categories and entries are eligible to win an award in each competition, however, there are no repeat prizewinners within the categories.
ONLINE MAGAZINE
An online magazine, Cotton Alley Writers’ Review, will be created from the winning entries submitted to the competition for publication in June 2025. Winners will be notified.
*The Arts Council will not make any changes to the author's digital submission prior to or after publication. Winners who do not wish to be published may decline to be included in the magazine.
YOUTH COMPETITION
The 12th Annual Youth Literary Competition is open to artists who reside in York County, and are enrolled in a K-12 program.
The short story and poetry competitions are open to any subject. All submissions must be the unpublished, original work of the artist. Rights remain with the artist.
Artists must be 18 or younger, reside in York County, and must be enrolled in a K-12 program in the spring of 2025. Those over the age of 18 and not enrolled in a K 12 program may submit to th 20th Annual Adult Literary Competition.
FEES
FREE! There is no entry fee for the 2025 Youth Literary Competition.
AWARDS
Award certificates for the youth competition will be issued for each category - poetry and short story. Only one prize per artist, per category will be awarded. Authors are permitted to enter both categories and entries are eligible to win an award in each competition, however, there are no repeat prizewinners within the categories.
ONLINE MAGAZINE
An online magazine, Cotton Alley Writers’ Review, will be created from the winning entries submitted to the competition for publication in June 2025. Winners will be notified.
*The Arts Council will not make any changes to the author's digital submission prior to or after publication. Winners who do not wish to be published may decline to be included in the magazine.
FOUND ON
