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Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

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Read select articles from the award-winning magazine and consult the most comprehensive listing of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prizewinners available in print.

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Writing Contests, Grants & Awards

• See Recent Winners
• View the Submission Calendar

The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.

Chapbook Prize

A prize of $1,000, publication by Oversound , and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Diana Khoi Nguyen will judge. Using only the online submission...

Ghost Story

Supernatural fiction award.

A prize of $1,500 and publication on the Ghost Story website and in the 21st Century Ghost Stories anthology series is given biannually for a short story with a...

Inlandia Institute

Hillary gravendyk prizes.

Two prizes of $1,000 each, publication by the Inlandia Institute, and 20 author copies are given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. resident and a poetry collection by...

University of Iowa Press

Iowa poetry prize.

Publication by University of Iowa Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 150 pages with a $20...

Poetry International

Poetry international prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Poetry International is given annually for a single poem. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any...

Short Story Contest

A prize of $1,000 is given biannually for a short story. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of 1,001 to 7,500 words with a $15 entry fee...

Marsh Hawk Press

Poetry prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Marsh Hawk Press is given annually for a poetry collection. John Keene will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a...

Tadpole Press

100-word writing contest.

A prize of $2,000 is given biannually for a work of flash poetry or prose. Manuscripts written in a language other than English are accepted when accompanied by an English...

Tupelo Press

Berkshire prize.

A prize of $3,000, publication by Tupelo Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a first or second poetry collection. English translations of works originally written...

Autumn House Press

Nonfiction prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Autumn House Press is given annually for a book of nonfiction. The winner also receives a $1,500 travel and publicity grant. Clifford...

University of Pittsburgh Press

Agnes lynch starrett poetry prize.

A prize of $5,000 and publication by University of Pittsburgh Press is given annually for a debut poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a...

Atlanta Review

International poetry contest.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Atlanta Review is given annually for a single poem. Using only the online submission system, submit up to five poems of any length...

Ashland Poetry Press

Richard snyder memorial publication prize.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Ashland Poetry Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Matthew Rohrer will judge. Using only the online...

High Desert Museum

Waterston desert writing prize.

A prize of $3,000 is given annually for a work of nonfiction that recognizes “the vital role deserts play worldwide in the ecosystem and the human narrative...

Winning Writers

Tom howard/john h. reid fiction & essay contest.

Two prizes of $3,500 each, two gift certificates for two-year memberships to the literary database Duotrope, and publication on the Winning Writers website are given annually...

Breakwater Review

Peseroff prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication in Breakwater Review ...

McGill University

Montreal international poetry prize.

A prize of $20,000 Canadian (approximately $14,807) and publication in the Montreal Poetry Prize anthology is given biennially for a poem. A.E. Stallings will judge, and...

Backwaters Press

Backwaters prize in poetry.

A prize of $2,000 and publication by Backwaters Press, an imprint of University of Nebraska Press, is given annually for a poetry collection. An honorable...

Noemi Press

A prize of $2,000 and publication by Noemi Press is given annually for a book of poetry. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of...

Writer’s Digest

Annual writing competition.

A prize of $5,000, an interview in Writer’s Digest , and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference is given annually for a single poem, a short...

Pittsburg State University

Cow creek chapbook prize.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Pittsburg State University, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Traci Brimhall will judge. Submit a manuscript of 15...

Regal House Publishing

Fugere book prize.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a novella. The editors will judge. English translations of works originally written in another...

Trio House Press

Aurora polaris creative nonfiction award.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Trio House Press, and 20 author copies will be given annually for a book of nonfiction by a writer living in the United States. The editors...

DIAGRAM/New Michigan Press

Chapbook contest.

A prize of $1,000, publication by New Michigan Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a chapbook of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid-genre work. Ander...

Lost Horse Press

Idaho prize for poetry.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Lost Horse Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. poet. Using only the online submission system,...

• Creative Writing Award
• Shortlist 2023
• Shortlist 2022
• Shortlist 2021
• Shortlist 2020
• Shortlist 2019
• Shortlist 2018
• Shortlist 2017
• Shortlist 2016
• Shortlist 2015
• Shortlist 2014
• Shortlist 2013
• Anthologies

Submit Your Work

Aesthetica is looking for the best new writing talent. The £5,000 international literary prize is open to poetry and short fiction entries on any theme, celebrating innovation in content and form.

Since its establishment 15 years ago, the Creative Writing Award has provided a platform for poets and authors across the globe to showcase their work through publication, prize money and exposure.

Shortlist & Winners

Discover this year’s talented finalists across poetry and short fiction. Read what the judges had to say about their impressive works, and be inspired by new literary talents working worldwide.

Meet the 2023 winners »

Aesthetica’s Creative Writing Award jury are successful literary professionals who have judged numerous writing awards. They are passionate about works demonstrating creativity and excellence.

Success Stories

Our fantastic Creative Writing alumni continue to succeed and demonstrate excellence across the globe, from further publication to awards wins. Discover finalists and shortlists from previous years.

View our Creative Writing Alumni »

Help & FAQs

Need help submitting your poem or short story to the Creative Writing Award? Do you have questions regarding entry, publication or the anthology? Find all the answers you need here.

Visit the FAQ page »

Image Credits 1. Li Zhang, courtesy Unsplash. 2.  Adriana Mora. 3.  Beasty, courtesy Unsplash. 4. Massimo Colonna, from the (Non) Gravity series. Courtesy of the artist. © Massimo Colonna. 5. Ben Thomas,  Crown , 2016. New York. 6. Fazlulloh Shamit Musavi, The Edge of Emotions , 2018. Courtesy of the artist.

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CREATIVE WRITING FELLOWSHIPS

The National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000 grants in  prose  (fiction and creative nonfiction) and  poetry  to published creative writers that enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. 

This program operates on a two-year cycle with fellowships in prose and poetry available in alternating years. In 2024 we will be accepting applications in poetry.  

Learn  more about past recipients of our literature fellowships  in the Literary Arts Impact section. 

If you have questions about your application, please contact the Literary Arts staff at 202-682-5034 or email  [email protected]

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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of English

Creative writing program.

The Creative Writing Program in the Department of English offers UConn undergraduates and graduate students the opportunity to develop their skills in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, nature writing, and writing for children. Students can choose from a range of courses while enhancing their studies with frequent visits by award-winning and emerging authors.

Meet our creative writing faculty

About Creative Writing

Undergraduate education.

The Creative Writing Program offers undergraduate-level writing courses in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, nature writing, and writing for children. Classes range from beginning to advanced levels and are open to students from any major. Undergraduates from any major can also elect to pursue a 15-credit sequence of courses leading to the Concentration in Creative Writing .

Students are also encouraged to participate in UConn’s thriving creative writing community. All students are invited to submit their work to the Department of English’s numerous writing awards and contests , as well as to the Long River Review , UConn’s nationally award-winning art and literary magazine.

The Department of English teaches a range of creative writing courses at the Storrs and Stamford campuses. During fall 2021, the Department offers multiple sections of the following courses:

• ENGL 2701: Creative Writing I
• ENGL 3701: Creative Writing II
• ENGL 3703: Writing Workshop
• ENGL 3711: Creative Writing for Children and Young Adult Readers
• ENGL 3715E: Nature Writing Workshop

Visit the English advising website for courses and descriptions.

Certificate of Concentration in Creative Writing

The Department of English offers a Certificate of Concentration in Creative Writing to students who have completed fifteen or more credits in creative writing and/or related courses. The concentration is open to students from any major.

The concentration is designed to give participants a firm artistic and critical foundation in one or more creative writing genres. It allows students to hone their writing skills closely over the course of several semesters with different members of the writing faculty. It is an excellent preparation for students hoping to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in writing degree. A student fulfilling requirements for the Concentration will receive a letter of certification from the English Department following graduation.

View requirements for the Concentration in Creative Writing.

Get Involved

The Creative Writing Program offers several opportunities for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experiences in editing and writing in many genres. These experiences can complement your education and help you build important professional skills for whatever path you pursue after graduation. Opportunities include:

• Undergraduates may apply for positions as editors of the Long River Review , UConn’s student-run literary magazine. Students who wish to work on the magazine must register for ENGL 3713, offered every spring. Please see the list of spring English courses during the fall advising period and contact the instructor of the course to arrange an interview. Students can also submit their work to the publication for the chance to get published in the next issue.
• Students can participate in Poetic Journeys , a mass transportation poetry project featuring the work of UConn students.
• Undergraduates can submit their work to the Department of English’s numerous writing contests and awards .
• Undergraduates interested in working for the program may apply for one of the several internships available each semester. These give students experience in writing press releases and public service announcements, developing public relations materials, and organizing visiting writer events. Interested students should contact the Director of the Creative Writing Program.

Find more ways to get involved in the Department of English.

Graduate Education

The UConn Department of English is a unique place for graduate creative writers, offering them a chance to participate in an active writing community while working toward a more traditional scholarly MA or Ph.D.

For decades the Department has fostered a unique group of graduate creative writers. Some have MFAs and return to complete an MAs or Ph.D. in literature; some arrive with publications or manuscripts in progress; others simply welcome an environment in which they can continue to write creatively as they work toward their respective degrees.

While we do not currently offer an MFA or Ph.D. in creative writing, the Department of English has in the past allowed a few exceptional students who have already been accepted into the MA or Ph.D. literature program to write a creative thesis or dissertation after completing their coursework and exams. These students have usually applied to the English Graduate Program with an MFA or significant publications already in hand. For more information about the creative dissertation, please contact Professor Penelope Pelizzon .

Graduate Student Teaching Assistants from the Department of English are invited to apply for the position of Creative Writing Program Assistant Director/Director of Poetic Journeys. Graduate Students who enter the Program with an MFA may also apply to teach courses in the undergraduate Creative Writing sequence.

Courses and Workshops

The Department offers graduate creative writing workshops, generally one per semester. Different genres are offered on a rotation, and workshops are open to students from departments other than English on a space-available basis.

Some recent graduate Creative Writing workshops and seminars of particular interest to creative writers include:

• 6600: Writing Workshop/ Writing into the Feminist Archives, Darcie Dennigan, fall 2021
• 6650 Seminar in Digital Humanities/ Reading and Writing in the Age of Digital Distraction, Kyle Booten, fall 2021
• 6500: Seminar in Lyric Theory, Charles Mahoney, spring 2020
• 6600: Writing Workshop/ Hybrid Narratives, Ellen Litman, spring 2019
• 6600: Poetry off the Page: Poets’ theatre & creative practice, Darcie Dennigan, spring 2018
• 6750: Seminar in Prosody, 15th-21st centuries, Penelope Pelizzon, fall 2017
• 6600: Writing workshop/ Hybrid Narratives. Ellen Litman, spring 2017
• 6500: Seminar in Lyric Theory, Charles Mahoney, spring 2017
• 6600: Writing Workshop/ Beauty and Terror, Penelope Pelizzon, fall 2016
• 6600: Writing Workshop/ Radical Forms of Kindness, Darcie Dennigan, spring 2016
• 6640: Seminar in Romantic Poetry, Charles Mahoney, Spring 2015
• 6600: Writing workshop/ Poetics of Space, Penelope Pelizzon, fall 2014
• 6700: Seminar on Marianne Moore & Elizabeth Bishop, Penelope Pelizzon, spring 2014

For more information about recent and upcoming graduate courses, please see the UConn Graduate Catalog .

Community and Engagement

Graduate students interested in creative writing may participate in a creative writing community that serves to supplement their degree programs and their writing lives.

• The Creative Writing Program sponsors the Long River Reading Series, featuring the work of graduate and undergraduate student writers.
• The accomplished work of graduate student writers also appears frequently in Poetic Journeys and the Long River Review , a literary magazine sponsored by the Creative Writing Program.
• They can also submit their work to the numerous writing contests open to UConn graduate students .
• Graduate students are encouraged to attend guest author readings that take place several times a month on campus. Students are also offered the opportunity to meet with guest authors in a more informal setting.
• Finally, graduate student writers at UConn are encouraged to join the Graduate Writers Activities Committee, where they can participate in small writing workshops and other social activities.

For more information about graduate-level creative writing at the University of Connecticut, please contact the director of the Creative Writing Program.

Alumni of the UConn Creative Writing Program go on study at some of the top MFA and MA/Ph.D. programs both nationally and internationally; have published novels, collections of poems, and memoirs; and work in a wide array of industries such as higher education, publishing, and nonprofit organizations.

Meet Creative Writing Alumni

Events and Programs

The Creative Writing Program sponsors several events each academic year, including the following annual programs:

Fall Semester

The Mark Twain Distinguished Writer-in-Residence Program

The Mark Twain Distinguished Writer-in-Residence Program began in 2019 with funding from the Bloom Endowment Fund which was established by Lynn and Martin Bloom. Lynn was the former Aetna Chair of Writing and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in English and Martin was Professor Emeritus of Social Work at the University of Connecticut. The Program invites a nationally or internally-known prose author to campus for a two-day residency every other fall semester in October. The author gives a public reading of their work and offers one-on-one tutorials with undergraduate and graduate student prose writers. Recent authors are Justin Torres and Alexander Chee.

The Aetna Writer-in-Residence Program

The Aetna Writer-in-Residence Program began in 2003 with funding from the Aetna Chair of Writing. The Program invites a nationally or internationally-known poet to campus for a two-day residency every other fall semester in October. The poet gives a public reading of their work and offers one-on-one tutorials with undergraduate and graduate student poets. Recent poets include Ilya Kaminsky, Camille Dungy, Jericho Brown, Kimiko Hahn, Tara Betts, Eduardo C. Corral, G.C. Waldrep, and Shara McCallum.

The Creative Sustenance Reading

The Creative Sustenance Reading usually invites Connecticut-based prose writers, poets, and playwrights to give a reading or performance. This event is usually held in November as a benefit for the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic, Connecticut and audience members are invited to make a donation or bring canned goods.

Spring Semester

The Writers Who Edit, Editors Who Write Series

The Writers Who Edit, Editors Who Write Series, as the title states, invites a writer to give a public reading of their work, to discuss how they balance their roles as both writer and editor, and holds a Q&A with the audience. This reading is particularly useful and exciting for English majors who are considering careers in editing and publishing. Past readers include Camille Dungy, Jennifer N. Baker, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Allison Joseph, Heidi Lynn Staples, Matvei Yankelevich, Matt Hart, Nate Pritts, and Benjamin S. Grossberg.

The Wallace Stevens Poetry Program

The Wallace Stevens Poetry Program began in 1964 with funding from The Hartford to honor Modernist master poet Wallace Stevens, a former Vice-President at that company. In the years since then, the Program has brought a roster of the most important national and international poets of the last five decades to Connecticut.

The Aetna Celebration of Creative Nonfiction

The Aetna Celebration of Creative Nonfiction honors a literary master whose work has shaped the essay canon. It also recognizes the undergraduate and graduate winners of a student essay contest. It’s a festive occasion for the University community to celebrate both an established presence and emerging voices. Past writers include Stephen Kuusisto, Emily Rapp Black, M. T. Anderson, Ginger Strand, and Rigoberto González.

Poetic Journeys Release Party

Poetic Journeys was developed in 2000 by the Creative Writing Program and inspired by the New York MTA’s Poetry in Motion series, itself inspired by London’s Poems on the Underground. The Poetic Journeys Release Party unveils excerpts of poems or poetic prose written by UConn students, faculty, and staff on placards designed by students in the University’s Design Center Studio.

Long River Review Release Party

The Long River Review was established in 1998 and is the UConn English department’s award-winning annual art and literary magazine run by undergraduate students with the assistance of a faculty advisor. The Long River Review Release Party celebrates the recent issue of the journal which is designed and typeset by students in the University’s Design Center Studio.

Upcoming Events

• This calendar has no events scheduled at this time.

For more information, please contact:

Sean Frederick Forbes Creative Writing Director [email protected] Philip E. Austin Building, Room 146 860-486-2324

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Certificate in Creative Writing

About the Online Creative Writing Certificate

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each online course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops and appeals to students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills. Through a series of online courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, the Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing as a form of critical thinking as a way to reimagine audience and as a space of innovation. Taught by professionals in the field, our courses cultivate both individual and group learning, providing an overview of the field as well as deep dives into literary genres. These online creative writing courses are designed as hands-on, intensive study of the subtleties and power of language.

Creative Writing Certificate Requirements

The Certificate in Creative Writing is a 4-course, 4 c.u.* credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order.  Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an advanced certificate (6-course, 6 c.u.*) by adding two additional creative writing courses.

Flexible Course Schedule and Tuition

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered in accelerated 8-week terms and full terms. Courses in the online certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors.

You have the option to enroll in individual creative writing courses without committing to the entire online certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests. Visit the Cost of Attendance page for course tuition and fee rates.

Watch a video of a recent virtual information session to hear from the program team about the Certificate in Creative Writing.

If you are having trouble viewing this video, watch it on YouTube .

*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.

The Certificate in Creative Writing prepares you to:

• Understand how text conveys meaning across a variety of literary genres and styles
• Explore how to use innovation, flexibility, and collaboration to cultivate a creative writing practice
• Create, revise and edit your original writing in multiple literary genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting

Online Creative Writing Courses

Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn a Certificate in Creative Writing. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing by taking two additional courses.

• CRWR 1010: The Craft of Creative Writing
• CRWR 1600: Modern and Contemporary US Poetry
• CRWR 2010: Poetry Workshop
• CRWR 2400: The Art of Editing
• CRWR 2500: Writing and Meditation
• CRWR 2600: Fiction Workshop
• CRWR 2800: Narrative Collage
• CRWR 3000: Writing About Place
• CRWR 3200: Screenwriting
• CRWR 3600: Advanced Nonfiction *
• CRWR 3700: Journalism

*This course may not be offered every academic year. Check the course page or our course guide to see when upcoming terms are added.

Courses are subject to change.

See Course Tuition

Meet The Faculty

Julia Bloch

• Faculty Director, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Creative Writing
• Director, Creative Writing Program

• Director, Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing

Laynie Browne

• Poet, prose writer, teacher and editor

Scott Burkhardt

• Lecturer in cinema and media studies

Christy Davids

• Teacher, poet and assistant editor at The Conversant

Lise Funderburg

• Lecturer in creative writing

• 2017-2018 Digital Studies Fellow at Rutgers University-Camden

Dick Polman

• Povich Writer-in-Residence at the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing (CPCW)

• Writer, editor, teacher

Zachary Tyler Vickers

Careers related to creative writing.

The Certificate in Creative Writing is designed to enhance your writing and storytelling skills and provide a framework for a creative process that can be applied to a myriad of professional roles including:

• Advertising copywriter
• Fundraising/development consultant
• Author and journalist

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WIU Home > CAS > English > Scholarships Awards

Department of English Creative Writing Awards

Want to win cash prizes, awards, and automatic publication into Elements ?   Submit your work to WIU's Creative Writing Awards judged by Professional Writers!

Requirement Archive :  2019 (pdf); 2018 (pdf); 2017 (pdf); 2016 (pdf)

See Past Winners : Creative Writing Winner Archive

Submission Requirements:

• Creative Writing Awards Submission Form
• Sign in with your WIU email and fill out contact information for your submissions
• Follow the requirements for each category when uploading your attachments
• Individuals will be limited one entry per category (one nonfiction/one fiction/three poems)
• Submit the electronic submission form by 4pm on day of the deadline (stated on submission form)
• If you have any questions, please contact the coordinator Dr. Ashley Beardsley, [email protected].
• Receive award certificate(s) & win cash prizes (between $50 - $350) for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each category
• All entrants and their friends/family are invited to participate in the English awards ceremony in April to receive their cash prize(s) and award(s). Winning authors will be notified prior to this event and be given details on the ceremony
• Winners will automatically be published in  Elements  (the magazine of creative work that WIU’s Department of English has been producing for over 50 years)

Lois C. Bruner Creative Nonfiction Award

All Western Illinois University undergraduates, regardless of major, are welcome to submit their nonfiction writing to the Lois C. Bruner Creative Nonfiction contest. Creative nonfiction can include essays about life experiences–though these may fit into any of the following categories: travelogue, memoir, biography, autobiography, nature writing, or cultural critique. Both voice and style will be weighed heavily in the judging.

• You may submit ONE essay of up to 5,000 words.
• Typed, double-spaced, word document format only
• Attachment upload should be saved as: [TheYear]-Nonfiction-[YourTitle]
• Don't have your name in your submission document
• You will not be able to edit your attachment after submission (so make sure you submit correct one and follow instructions)
• Work must be your own!

Cordell Larner Award in Fiction

All Western Illinois University undergraduates, regardless of major, are welcome to submit their fiction to the Cordell Larner Award in Fiction contest. Fiction can include stories about anything and everything you desire.

• You may submit ONE fiction piece of up to 5,000 words.
• Attachment upload should be saved as: [TheYear]-Fiction-[YourTitle]

Cordell Larner Award in Poetry

All Western Illinois University undergraduates, regardless of major, are welcome to submit their poetry to the Cordell Larner Award in Poetry contest. Poetry can include poems in any form/style.

• You may submit up to 3 poems (each poem a separate attachment)
• Typed, single spaced, word document format only
• Attachment upload should be saved as: [TheYear]-Poetry-[YourTitle]
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Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

• Awards Discover how entering the Scholastic Awards opens the door for recognition, scholarships, and more
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Annual Creative Writing Contests

Every year the Program in Creative Writing awards up to $15,000 to undergraduates and graduate students at various stages in their studies. The following prizes are awarded at the end of the spring semester at a special ceremony and reading. Please read the criteria carefully; most students are eligible to apply for more than one prize. To submit your poems, stories, or essays, please prepare pdfs of your writing samples as specified below, and upload them through the Qualtrics survey links listed below.

All prize applications are  due by March 15 , except for the ENGL 695 thesis prizes, which are due by April 20.

Find the winners of the 2023 Contests here .

Alum Chloe Benjamin, Photo © Oliver Bendorf

Email Contests Coordinator Sean Bishop

Awards for Students of ENGL 207: “Intro to Fiction & Poetry”

The Charles M. Hart, Jr. Writers of Promise Awards are given for the best poetry and fiction by students enrolled in ENGL 207: Intro to Fiction & Poetry. Students taking English 207 in either semester of the academic year may submit one story or three poems. Although there is no minimum or maximum word criteria for stories, we suggest you keep fiction submissions between five and thirty double-spaced pages in length. To apply, prepare a single PDF file beginning with a cover page that lists your name, preferred email address, and UW Campus ID#, followed by either one short story or three poems. The file name you use should employ the format “Lastname-Firstname_HartGenre2024,” where you replace “Genre” with either “Fiction” or “Poetry,” depending on the genre of the manuscript. For example if your name were Lorrie Moore and you were submitting fiction, you would label the file “Moore-Lorrie_HartFiction2024.pdf,” whereas if your name were Felix Pollak and you were submitting poetry, you would label the file “Pollak-Felix_HartPoetry2024.pdf.” The final deadline for this competition is March 15. Once you have prepared your submission, you may submit it here:  [CLICK TO SUBMIT]

Poetry Awards, Open to All UW-Madison Undergraduates

The Program in Creative Writing accepts entries to the Phillip H. Wang Memorial Prizes in Poetry ($500-$1,000) and the George B. Hill Poetry Awards ($100-$500) as a single submission. Read more about each award, below. All entries will be considered for both prizes. To apply for these awards, prepare a single PDF file beginning with a cover page that lists your name, preferred email, and UW Campus ID#, followed by 3 poems. If you wish, you may also prepare a second audio file of yourself reading the poems. For this optional audio file, MP3 format is strongly preferred, though we will accept M4A, WAV, or AIFF formats if necessary. The file names for both the PDF and the optional audio file should use the format “Lastname-Firstname_Poetry2024.” For example if your name were Audre Lorde, you would label the files “Lorde-Audre_Poetry2024.pdf” and “Lorde-Audre_Poetry2024.mp3,” respectively. The final deadline for both of these competitions is March 15. Once you have prepared your submission, you may submit it here:  [CLICK TO SUBMIT]

The Phillip H. Wang Memorial Prize in Poetry  ($1,000 winner, $500 runner up) is awarded to the best collection of three poems written by any undergraduate student at UW-Madison, submitted in a campus-wide competition. Since Phillip was a spoken-word artist, special consideration may be given to students who submit audio files of their poems in addition to the required pdf submissions. Interested applicants can read and hear a sampling of Phillip’s poems, by clicking  this link . The George B. Hill Poetry Awards  ($100-$500) were established in 1951 by Theodore Stempfel, president of Brach’s Candy Company, to honor Stempfel’s college friend George. In addition to being a writer for  The Daily Cardinal,  Mr. Hill was also a poet, so the George B. Hill Awards were established to honor his legacy.

Fiction Awards, Open to All UW-Madison Undergraduates

The Program in Creative Writing accepts entries to the Henry Douglas Mackaman Undergraduate Writer’s Award ($1,000) and the Therese Muller Memorial Fiction Awards ($100-$500) as a single submission. Read more about each award, below. To apply for these awards, prepare a single PDF file beginning with a cover page that lists your name, preferred email, and UW Campus ID#, followed by one short story. The file name for this PDF should use the format “Lastname-Firstname_Fiction2024.” For example if your name were James Baldwin, you would label your file “Baldwin-James_Fiction2024.pdf.” The final deadline for both of these competitions is March 15. Once you have prepared your submission, you may submit it here:  [CLICK TO SUBMIT]

The Henry Douglas Mackaman Undergraduate Writer’s Award  ($1,000) was established in 2015. The prize is awarded to the best short story written by a sophomore, junior, or senior, submitted in a campus-wide competition. Read more about Henry Douglas Mackaman at  henrymackaman.com . The Therese Muller Memorial Fiction Awards  ($100-$500) were established in 1951 by UW alumna and favorite daughter of Sauk City, Therese Muller, who graduated from UW in 1912. They are given to short stories of particular promise, written by any UW-Madison undergraduate.

Nonfiction Awards (See Details for Eligibility)

The Program in Creative Writing awards promising writers of creative nonfiction through two separate competitions. The Therese Muller Memorial Nonfiction Awards ($100-$500) are open to any UW-Madison undergraduate student, for any genre of creative nonfiction. The Johanna Garfield Award in Nonfiction Creative Writing ($2,500) is given to the best creative personal essay written by any undergraduate student  or graduate student currently enrolled at UW-Madison. Read more about each award and find the submission links, below. If you are eligible for both prizes, please note that you must submit separately to each. The final deadline for both of these competitions is March 15.

The Johanna Garfield Award in Nonfiction Creative Writing ($2,500) was established in 2020, and is open to any current undergraduate or graduate student at UW-Madison who submits a work of creative nonfiction that could be described as a “personal essay,” meaning an essay based primarily on the author’s lived experience. Before clicking the upload link, please prepare a single PDF file beginning with a cover page that lists your name, preferred email, and UW Campus ID#, followed by one personal essay. The file name should use the format “Lastname-Firstname_PersonalEssay2024.” For example if your name were Joan Didion, you would label the file “Didion-Joan_PersonalEssay2024.pdf.” Once you have prepared your submission, you may submit it here:  [CLICK TO SUBMIT]

The Therese Muller Memorial Nonfiction Awards ($100-$500) are open to any current UW-Madison undergraduate student who submits an essay in any sub-genre of creative nonfiction (personal essay, memoir, lyric essay, travel writing, creative journalism, etc, etc.) Graduate students are not eligible for these awards. Before clicking the upload link, please prepare a single PDF file beginning with a cover page that lists your name, preferred email, and UW Campus ID#, followed by one work of creative nonfiction. The file name should use the format “Lastname-Firstname_Nonfiction2024.” For example if your name were Roxane Gay, you would label the file “Gay-Roxane_Nonfiction2024.pdf.” Once you have prepared your submission, you may submit it here:  [CLICK TO SUBMIT]

Thesis Prizes for ENGL 695 Students

The Program in Creative Writing awards at least three annual prizes of $1,000 or more, for students who have completed ENGL 695 during the current academic year: one for poetry, one for fiction, and one for any genre. Read more about the individual prizes, below. To apply, please prepare a single PDF file beginning with a cover page that lists your name, preferred email, and UW Campus ID#, followed by the most complete draft you have of your ENGL 695 thesis. The file name you use should employ the format “Lastname-Firstname_ThesisGenre2024,” where you replace “Genre” with “Fiction,” “Poetry,” or the like, depending on the genre of your thesis. For example if your name were Lorrie Moore and you were submitting fiction, you would label the file “Moore-Lorrie_ThesisFiction2024.pdf,” whereas if your name were Felix Pollak and you were submitting poetry, you would label the file “Pollak-Felix_ThesisPoetry2024.pdf.” Other genres you could use include “Nonfiction,” “Stageplay,” “Screenplay,” or “Mixed” for a multi-genre thesis. The final deadline for this competition is April 20. Once you have prepared your submission, you may submit it here:  [CLICK TO SUBMIT]

The Ron Wallace Poetry Thesis Prize  ($1,000) is awarded annually for the best poetry thesis completed during the current academic year by an English Major with an Emphasis in Creative Writing. The prize was established by Professor Emeritus Ronald Wallace, author of 12 books and founder of UW’s Program in Creative Writing, who retired in 2015. The Eudora Welty Fiction Thesis Prize  ($1,000) is awarded annually for the best fiction thesis completed by an English Major with an Emphasis in Creative Writing. Eudora Welty graduated from UW-Madison in 1929, and over the course of her writing career she received a National Book Award, a Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Critics Circle Award, a Nobel Prize nomination, and many other honors. The Cy Howard Memorial Scholarship in Creative Writing  ($1,000) is awarded annually to an English Major with an Emphasis in Creative Writing, for a thesis written in any genre of creative writing. This award was established by Mrs. Barbara Howard in honor of her husband Cy, who was a graduate of UW-Madison and a writer for film and television.

Creative Writing Award Free Template (Item #: creative-writing-tc)

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Honors & Awards

Creative Writing Program honors and awards include the Honors Thesis Program  (available to English majors pursuing a concentration in Creative Writing); the Creative Writing Program Prizes for student writing (prizes for original student work in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, scriptwriting, translation, and journalism, open to any enrolled student at Penn); and the Bassini Writing Apprenticeships  (for-credit apprenticeships that offer students the opportunity to work closely with a member of our faculty on a major writing or multimedia project in their field, open to any enrolled undergraduate student at Penn).

We are a partner, along with the Kelly Writers House , CPCW , and  The Daily Pennsylvanian , in supporting the Nora Magid Mentorship Prize .

Click on the links at right for full details.

We also encourage students to explore links to a number of other honors and awards available to student writers at Penn. Many of these opportunities are available to any currently enrolled student at the University of Pennsylvania as well as especially to students who demonstrate an active commitment to the projects and programs of our partner organizations, RealArts@Penn and the Kelly Writers House . At their sites you will find information on opportunities such as the Creative Ventures Capital Prize , the Terry B. Heled Travel and Research Grant , the Kelly Writers House Junior Fellows Award , and more. Penn’s Cinema and Media Studies Program hosts awards for student screenwriters, and the Department of English hosts prizes for student scholarly writing. 

Another exciting source of support available to our student writing community is the  Sachs Program for Arts Innovation . The Sachs Program’s grantmaking supports innovative arts activities throughout the Penn community, providing funding to Penn faculty, staff, students, departments, programs, and centers. Find out more here .

Finally, we make students aware of writing-related prizes sponsored by outside organizations and provide support as needed. These include the National Program Directors’ Prizes for undergraduate literary magazines, produced by the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP); the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation Sports Essay Contest ; and the  American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) Magazine Internship Program .

Prize and internship opportunities are announced regularly to our majors and minors and posted on our Twitter feed and Facebook page .

Annual Creative Writing Contest Winners Announced

Every year the Program in Creative Writing awards up to $15,000 to undergraduates and graduate students at various stages in their studies. Here are the 2023 award winners!

Charles M. Hart Writers of Promise Awards Judged by Jackie Chalghin, Nitya Gupta, RE Hawley, Phoebe Kranefuss, Aeron Parks and Robert Bynum

1st place: Hannah DeGuzman 2nd place: Han Raschka 3rd place: Ella Olson

Honorable mentions: Emma Altschul, Tara Awate, and Diya Abbas

Philip H. Wang Memorial Prize in Poetry Judged by Chessy Normile

1st place: Azura Tyabji 2nd place: Diya Abbas

George B. Hill Poetry Prizes Judged by Chessy Normile

1st place: Madeline Mitchell 2nd place: Nuha Dolby

Honorable mentions: Maria Freese, Roshnie Rupnarian, and Claire Friedlander

Henry Douglas Mackaman Undergraduate Writer’s Award Judged by Yalitza Ferreras and Taymour Soomro

1st place: Bess Henshaw

Therese Muller Fiction Prizes Judged by Yalitza Ferreras and Taymour Soomro

1st place: Madeline Mitchell 2nd place: Jackson Wyatt

Honorable mentions: Natalie Bercutt, Sam Downey, McKayla Murphy, and Shailaja Singh

Therese Muller Non Fiction Prizes Judged by Yalitza Ferreras and Taymour Soomro

1st place: AJ Johnson 2nd place: Nuha Dolby 3rd place: Rhia Dinghra

Honorable mentions: Natalie Bercutt and McKayla Murphy

Ronald Wallace Poetry Thesis Prize Judged by Steven Espada Dawson

1st place: Zack Lesmeister

Eudora Welty Fiction Thesis Prize Judged by Amanda Rizkalla

1st place: Dana Brandt

Cy Howard Memorial Scholarship Thesis Prize Judged by Steven Espade Dawson and Amanda Rizkalla

1st place: Aiden Aragon

Richard Knowles Teaching Award

1st place: Jackie Chalghin

Jerome Stern Teaching Award

1st place: Megan Kim

Johanna Garfield Award in Non Fiction Judged by Alyssa Knickerbocker

1st place: Aeron Parks for “Arches”

August Derleth Graduate Creative Writing Prize Judged by Claire Luchette

1st place: Nitya Gupta “How to Break Up with Your Husband”

William W. Marr Graduate Prize in Creative Writing Judged by Clemonce Heard

1st place: Renee Lepreau for “On the Day You Were Born” and other poems

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Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Focus awards, creative writing focus award.

Why choose the Creative Writing focus award at PCC?

PCC offers one of the largest selections of creative writing courses in the state. There are no prerequisites for most of the introductory courses, although you should be able to write at the WR 121 level. All the courses are good for four units of transferable credit.

Focus award information

Focus awards won’t appear on your transcript , but they may be earned alongside a certificate or degree. See the requirements and courses .

Learn more about Focus Awards and all 13 awards available »

What will you learn?

The Creative Writing focus award is designed to offer students a rounded experience in the craft of creative writing. Students work on their writing, workshop their writing and the writing of others, study literature, and learn about editing and publishing. The classes introduce students to the field of creative writing as well as enhancing degrees from other disciplines.

Through introductory and advanced courses in creative writing and literature, a Creative Writing focus award empowers students to realize themselves as writers and imagine the possibilities of a career in creative writing.

Completing the focus award

Once you’ve fulfilled the requirements, contact us to receive your award .

Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes. Apply now

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English Department Announces 2024 Creative Writing Award Winners

Georgetown University’s English department announced April 17 four student winners of the department’s 2024 creative writing awards, which celebrate student writers for their achievement in short stories, poetry and narrative writing.

The four creative writing awards are The Bernard M. Wagner Medal for excellence in writing for any genre besides drama, The Annabelle Bonner Medal for technical skill in a short story or narrative, The Lynch Pendergast Medal for the best essay on any topic in the English field and The Ora Mary Pelham Poetry Prize for the best poem or collection of poems. The department will honor the winners — Genevieve Jobson (CAS ’26), Josephine Wu (CAS ’24), Clayton Kincade (SFS ’25) and Maya Kominsky (CAS ’24) — in an April 30 ceremony.

​​Full disclosure: Clayton Kincade (SFS ’25) currently serves as a staff writer in The Guide, The Hoya’s arts and culture section. He previously served as The Hoya’s senior guide editor in Fall 2022, executive editor in Spring 2023 and senior news editor in Fall 2023.

Phil Sandick, an associate teaching professor in the English department and the director of the creative writing minor , said the awards help Georgetown student writers grow in how they think about writing for an audience.

“I think these awards do tremendous work,” Sandick wrote to The Hoya. “First and foremost, revising a piece to submit for the awards is its own important activity.”

“As a writer, you have to think like a reader: What will make this piece stand out, command someone’s attention, keep them connected to what you’re trying to do here?” Sandick added. “When I was a fiction editor for a literary magazine, it changed the way I thought about first pages and copyediting, and I know students really take the submissions process seriously. That comes with benefits regardless of the outcome.”

Wu, who won the Annabelle Bonner Medal — and the Bernard M. Wagner award for short stories last year — said she did not expect to win for her piece “Shark Body.”

“I saw it won the annual Bonner Medal, I was excited,” Wu told The Hoya. “I was excited to receive recognition for some of my work.”

Wu’s piece, “Shark Body,” follows the story of a mother and daughter who discover a shark in a lake and take it back to their home to care for the animal. Wu said this short story is part of her senior thesis collection of short stories. 

Kincade said he was shocked yet grateful to have won The Ora Mary Pelham Poetry Prize for his sonnet “A Sonnet to My Scottish Forefathers.”

“I was honestly very surprised,” Kincade told The Hoya. “I’ve never won something for poetry before. And so it’s very validating for professionals to say this is the best.”

Kincade said he drew inspiration from his ancestors’ thoughts and actions before learning about what would happen next. 

“The poem is just kind of about the idea of being really scared for your future,” Kincade said. “The idea of wanting to be loved but also, again, not sure what the future holds and the unease of simply not knowing what’s coming ahead.”

Jobson, who won The Bernard M. Wagner Medal for “Sunday,” said the award was particularly gratifying because she had long wanted to pursue creative writing. 

“I was really excited,” Jobson told The Hoya. “I’ve really liked to write for a long time since I was a little kid, and I took a creative writing class in high school, which I enjoyed, so I wanted to continue creative writing here.”

Jobson added that she drew inspiration for “Sunday” after seeing a church in Rosslyn, Va., built upon a gas station. She said this allowed her to reflect on the themes of gentrification and what it means to build over spaces and land. 

Wu said she believes creative writing can be lonely, but this award creates community and rewards writers for the time spent during this process. 

“It’s obviously really fulfilling, but it’s oftentimes filled with a lot of grief, a lot of energy spent pouring into a single storyline or a single character, so I definitely agree with the idea that it is a lonely enterprise,” Wu said. “So I think being rewarded or encouraged for it is something that I love that Georgetown is doing.”

Jobson said she plans to continue writing, especially after winning a creative writing award. 

“It’s always nice to be recognized for something that you care about and put hard work into,” Jobson said. “And I definitely would continue writing even if I hadn’t been recognized with this award, but it’s definitely really, really lovely that I was, and I’m really grateful.”

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Creative Writing Certificate Program

Illustration by valerie tran, announcements, admission applications.

The deadline for applying to the Creative Writing Certificate Program was March 1.  We are no longer accepting applications at this time.  The next application window is September 1 - October 1, 2024.

Creative Writing Certificate Program End-of-Semester Reception and Readings

Please join us on Wednesday, May 1 , in the Joynes Reading Room (Carothers Residence Hall) for our end-of-semester celebration.

Reception begins at 12:30pm with food and refreshments.

Writing Awards and Readings begin at 1:00pm

Creative Writing Honors Thesis Readings begin at 2:00pm.

Please feel free to come to all or part of the program.  Family and friends are welcome!

Writing Contest Winners Announced

Congratulations to the Winners of the Kruger Fellowships and Parker Prizes for student writing. 

KRUGER Fiction 

1st Place     Lara Palmqvist - "In Another Life"

Runner-up   Stephanie Degnore - "Where the Light Shines Brightest"

Runner-up   Varun Jawarani - "Lakshana"

KRUGER Poetry  

1st Place     Aguilar Alfredo - "After Three Beers My Tia Talks About The Border"

Runner-up   Safiyya Haider - "Assimilation Is Performance Art" 

PARKER Fiction

1st Place      Molly Tompkins - "Bolt from the Blue"

Runner-up    Charlie Sharpe - "A Horse of Course” 

Runner-up    Ashley Rummel - "The Artists" 

PARKER Poetry

1st Place      Leah Piñon - "The World Ends Through the Mirrors in Your House"

Runner-up    Boppana Pradhitha - "Alternate Methods of Crying"

PARKER Lit Crit

1st Place      Molly Tompkins - "Celestial, Beautiful, and Social Bodies" 

Runner-up    Lane Dent - “Our False Perception of Nature”,

Congratulations to all the contest winners and honors thesis students! 

Ongoing Opportunities

Check back often for more links to publishing, contest, and internship opportunities.

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The Writers' League of Texas provides internship, networking, literary, and educational opportunities in Austin and around the state, as well as an annual conference featuring literary agents and editors. 

The Texas Book Festival , one of the largest in the country, takes place annually in late October / early November, but offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Poets and Writers magazine lists contests, fellowships, grants, and literary journals for writers of all levels. 

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Creative Writing Awards

Dr. magdalena zurawski, director, creative writing program    christine lasek-white, assistant director, creative writing program  , virginia rucker walter poetry prize for an undergraduate student poet   .

What the judge had to say:   

“pilgrimage palindrome 22” is a beautifully vulnerable and ambitious look into the humility of gratitude and passing time. What begins as an occasional poem for the speaker’s birthday evolves into a moving account of wonder at how those who love us see us in so many different iterations along our “same walk,” and continue to love us. I admire the manipulation of time in this poem; the reader experiences both a particular day as well as an overlaid timeline of memories. The poem speaks with a level of frankness that might have been tempting to let go into cliché or melodrama, but because it is paired with such stark images (“the sound of the kitchen drawer closing,” “the two flavors of gelato”), it is much like watching a antique video reel, full of the weight of time passing. This reel brings the reader into stunningly candid moments of insight, like “there is still a lot of newness,” and “I guess that’s what growing up makes you do / your parents become people and all you want to do is say / thank you / I’m sorry / I’m sorry.”   

About the Virginia Rucker Walter Scholarship Fund : The Virginia Rucker Walter Poetry Prize for an Undergraduate Poet is named for Virginia Rucker Walter, who was a poet and student at UGA in the 1980s. Virginia Walter was killed by a drunk driver before she was able to graduate, but her family presents this prize in honor of her memory and in celebration of her love of writing poetry.   

Diann Blakely Poetry Prize for a Graduate Student Poet   

“Sight / Unsight” is a moving meditation on the power of what is at first seemingly “missing” in art—the material real of the world. When describing Manet’s “Olympia,” the speaker writes, “the reclined woman looks out [ ] but / still, there’s no flesh on the easel.” In this poem, the artist does not create reality, nor does she want to: “At best, she translates and, translating, finds / blindness—or not blindness but / unsight, floating sight,” an imaginary which lies between the canvas and the real: “the wonder of ocean, the wonder of / buildings.” The open form of the poem itself allows the reader to see the beauty and wonder in this blindness, “this beauty of / what is not there, not seen.” This exquisite poem helps us see that it is the space between—the grace of the imaginary—that changes us: “like a dear friend walking / toward one in a dream.”   

About the Diann Blakely Visiting Poet Fund : The Diann Blakely Poetry Prize for a Graduate Student Poet is presented in honor of American poet, essayist, editor, and critic Diann Blakely.  Before passing away in 2014, Diann was known for her commitment to southern poetry and culture. She taught at Belmont University, Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, and was a former poetry editor at the Antioch Review and at New World Writing.  This award is made possible as part of the Diann Blakely Visiting Poet Fund.   

The Creative Writing Awards submissions were judged by poet and UGA alum Gale Marie Thompson.   About the judge: Gale Marie Thompson is the author of  Helen or My Hunger  (YesYes Books, 2020) and  Soldier On  (Tupelo Press, 2015), and two chapbooks. Her work has appeared in  American Poetry Review, Tin House Online, The Adroit Journal, jubilat, BOAAT , and  Crazyhorse , among others. She has received fellowships from the Vermont Studio Center and Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts. She is the founding editor of J ellyfish Magazine  and co-hosts the arts advice podcast Now That We’re Friends . Gale lives in the mountains of North Georgia, where she directs the Creative Writing program at Young Harris College. You can find her on Twitter at @thegalester.   

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Award Certificate Wording

An award certificate has many uses. The award certificate wording used on the certificate can vary based on the situation. Each of our free certificate templates comes with sample wording however, you might want to replace the sample text with your own text.

The following certificate wording text can help you write a certificate of appreciation , a certificate of recognition , and a certificate of completion .

Certificate of Appreciation Wording

The most commonly used format for a certificate of appreciation has the wording “Certificate of Appreciation” at the top of the certificate and centered on the page. Below this, the standard format includes “Presented to” with the recipient’s name, followed by “Presented by” and the name of the certificate issuer. The date and signature go at the bottom.

Here are some sample certificate of appreciation words for various purposes:

Generic Certificate of Appreciation

This type of certificate is a go-to document that can work in nearly any type of situation where you want to recognize what someone has accomplished. It can be used for schools, sports, or in a professional setting. The generic certificate of achievement should list the name of the recipient along with the name of the person or organization awarding the certificate. It should also have a brief explanation of why the certificate is being awarded. It’s also important to include the date of the award. Many people also like to add the location of the award, especially if the certificate is being presented at a special event.

Certificate of Appreciation for Employees

A certificate of appreciation for employees is similar to the generic certificate. But because you’re using it to award employees for specific goals met on the job, it gives you the option to customize the certificate for your particular business. You can add a background that represents your company’s colors or motto. This type of certificate also allows you to customize the text based on the specific achievement of the employee.

Certificate of Appreciation Wording for Employees

• This award certificate is presented to [Recipent’s Name] with great appreciation for your extraordinary service and dedication at [Company Name].
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] for her valuable contribution toward the successful implementation of our company’s excellent quality assurance programs.
• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] in appreciation of the outstanding service rendered as field consultant for our company’s corporate planning division.
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of valuable service in the Legal Department. We sincerely appreciate your contribution to our company’s success.
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of his outstanding performance and dedicated service while serving as president of the Marketing Division. Your valued contribution to our company is a constant source of pride.
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] in appreciation of your diligence, dedication, and efforts.

Years of service certificate wording

• This is to certify that [Employee’s Full Name] Has completed [Number of Years of Service] of Outstanding Service To [Organization Name]. In recognition of your unwavering commitment, dedication, and exceptional contributions over the years. Your steadfast loyalty and hard work have played a significant role in our success and growth. We express our deepest appreciation for your continued support and service. Your enthusiasm and dedication have inspired us all.
• In Recognition of [Number of Years of Service] Years of Dedication and Commitment. This certificate is awarded to acknowledge your exceptional service and unwavering dedication to [Organization Name]. Your journey with us has been marked by excellence and a commitment to our shared goals. Throughout your tenure, you have consistently demonstrated the values of [Organization Name] and have been an inspiration to your colleagues. Your contributions have been invaluable to our success, and we are truly grateful. We extend our heartfelt appreciation and look forward to many more years of collaboration and achievement together.
• Certificate of Appreciation Presented to [Employee’s Full Name] In Recognition of [Number of Years of Service]. Your dedication and commitment to [Organization Name] have been truly remarkable. Thank you for your valuable contributions and continued service.
• This certificate is awarded to [Employee’s Full Name]. In recognition of [Number of Years of Service]. Your loyalty and dedication have made a lasting impact on [Organization Name]. We appreciate your years of service and commitment.

Certificate of Appreciation Wording for Volunteers

• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for volunteering to serve as a community developer with [Organization Name]. Your time and effort is much appreciated.
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for your dedication, hard work, and efforts in [Name of the program].
• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for dedicating time and effort as a [Position] with [Company Name]. We will always appreciate your input.
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for serving as a volunteer in the capacity of [position title]. We appreciate your dedication, hard work, and efforts.
• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for outstanding efforts in the volunteer program.

Certificate of Recognition Wording

The certificate of recognition has a similar format to the certificate of appreciation. Important items like the names and the reason for the certificate are centered on the page and in large print. The date and signature of the issuing party are in smaller print at the bottom.

Sample Certificate of Recognition Text

Here are some recognition award wording examples:

• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] has shown exceptional performance in our training program. The skills and knowledge she demonstrated are an important contribution to the success of our program.
• Proudly awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for being a member of the board of directors of [company name] for ten years now. Your efforts are highly appreciated.
• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] has shown exceptional performance in our PR training program. We wish you all the best for a successful career ahead!
• This certificate has been awarded to [name] for exceptional performance in the customer service department. The skills and knowledge she demonstrated are an important contribution to the success of our company.
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] for showing outstanding accomplishments in our sales department.

Generic Certificate of Recognition

A generic certificate of recognition can be used for school, work, or any situation where you want to recognize someone’s efforts. It provides a tangible document to show what the recipient did to be recognized. The document should include the reason for the award, along with the names of the recipient and the person issuing the award.

Student certificate of recognition

A student certificate of recognition has a similar design to the generic option but is specially designed to recognize academic achievements. It includes all the information previously mentioned, but may also include the grade of the student, the subject in which they are being recognized, and other personal information specific to the circumstances.

Sample award certificate wording:

• This certificate is awarded to [Student Name] for outstanding performance in class.
• This certificate is presented to [Student Name] for commendable and consistent progress in all his/her classes.
• The principal, teachers, and the students of [School Name] are proud to present this certificate to [Student Name] for excellent performance in all her subjects.
• Awarded to [Student Name] by [School Name], in recognition of outstanding performance and participation in sports during the year 2022-2023
• Presented to [Student Name] for the commendable and consistent progress in all her/his classes.

Certificate of Completion

A certificate of completion is designed to provide proof that someone completed a course, a program, or an event. These certificates can be used in a professional setting, for school courses, or for other uses. They have the same basic information with the reason for the certificate at the top, usually in bold and noticeable font, with the names of the recipient and issuer centered underneath.

Generic certificate of completion

A generic certificate of completion shows that the recipient completed an assigned task, class, course, or another event. The generic certificate can be used in many situations and it allows you to customize the document based on the event. These certificates are simple to make and can include as little or as much information based on the circumstances. A certificate of completion should include the date the task was completed along with some basic info on what was accomplished.

Certificate of Achievement Wording

Certificate of achievement wording examples.

• This certificate is proudly presented to [name] for an honorable achievement in [title]
• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] has performed exemplary in [achievement or task title].
• Our organization is honored to award [Recipent’s Name] full certification as an [title].
• Proudly awarded to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of the outstanding performance and [title] achievement throughout the [title] period.
• This certificate has been presented to [Recipent’s Name] for becoming the first [title]. We thank him/her a lot for the contribution he/she has made to make our cause successful and wish him/her the best in his/her future endeavors.
• This award is presented to [Recipent’s Name] for outstanding achievement in [title] during the [event name] held at [place] from [date] to [date].

Sample Winner Certificate Text

• This certificate has been awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for sailing above the competition to become the winner in [competition name] held at [place] on [date].
• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] took the winning position during the [contest name] held at [place]
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for winning the [contest name] that took place at [location] from [date] – [date].
• This certificate has been presented to [name] for taking first place during the [year] [competition name] held at [location].
• This certificate is presented to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of his/her outstanding effort in [competition name].

Certificate of Excellence Wording

Here are some certificate of excellence wording examples:

1. Academic Achievement:

This Certificate of Excellence is proudly presented to

in recognition of outstanding academic achievement during the [School Year/Semester]

Your dedication to learning, exemplary performance, and commitment to excellence have set you apart as a shining example for others to follow.

Certificate of Academic Excellence

This certificate is awarded to

in recognition of outstanding academic achievement during the

In appreciation of your dedication to learning, exemplary performance, and commitment to excellence, we hereby acknowledge your exceptional accomplishments.

Subjects/Courses : [List the subjects or courses where excellence was demonstrated]

Achievements : [Specify any notable achievements, such as top grades, awards, or honors]

Your unwavering pursuit of knowledge and your consistent pursuit of excellence have set a commendable standard for your peers to aspire to. Your academic achievements are a testament to your hard work and dedication.

Presented on this [Date] day of [Month], [Year] [Signature Line] [Principal’s Name or School Official’s Name] [Title or Position] [School Name]

2. Employee Performance:

This Certificate of Excellence is awarded to

in appreciation of your exceptional dedication, exemplary performance, and unwavering commitment to our organization’s success.

Your hard work and dedication have consistently exceeded expectations, making a significant impact on our team and our mission.

3. Volunteer Service:

Presented to

in gratitude for your selfless dedication and outstanding contribution to our community.

Your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many.

4. Sports or Athletic Achievement:

This Certificate of Excellence is proudly awarded to

for demonstrating extraordinary skill, sportsmanship, and determination in [Sport/Activity].

Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication to your sport have led to remarkable achievements that inspire us all.

5. Leadership and Innovation:

in recognition of your exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and invaluable contributions to our organization.

Your vision, dedication, and commitment to excellence have paved the way for success and growth.

6. Artistic or Creative Achievement:

This Certificate of Excellence is presented to

for demonstrating outstanding creativity, artistic talent, and a commitment to excellence in [Art Form].

Your artistry and passion have enriched our lives and the world around us.

7. Customer Service Excellence:

for consistently providing exceptional customer service and exceeding customer expectations.

Your dedication to delivering outstanding service has made a lasting positive impression on our customers and our organization.

Feel free to customize the wording to suit the individual or organization you are recognizing and to add any relevant details such as the date and signatures.

How to Change the Award Wording

When you open our free certificate maker, you will see sample award wording for each template. To change the award wording, double-click on the text and replace it with your own text.

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Independence High School Student Wins Creative Writing Award

• Updated: Apr. 27, 2024, 7:23 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 7:15 p.m.

Independence High School writer Callia Shumay Submitted by Independence Local Schools

• Mark T. Baxter, special to cleveland.com

Independence, Ohio – Exceptional writing skills have scooped Independence High School student Callia Shumay top awards in a writing competition.

She was awarded both silver and gold keys in the Scholastic Writing and Art event and now her work will feature in an exhibit at Cleveland Museum of Art.

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2024 duke english creative writing scholarship awards, april 23, 2024.

Quantá Holden | Duke English | Digital Communication Specialist

Duke English is delighted to share the 2024 Creative Writing Scholarships honorees. Each year, Duke English faculty members nominate undergraduate students for one of the Creative Writing Scholarships based on the exceptional work they submitted in one or more of their creative writing courses. The Creative Writing Committee selects the winners of the prestigious William M. Blackburn, Francis Pemberton, and Margaret Rose Knight Sanford Scholarships. Students nominated must be eligible for financial aid to receive these scholarships.

2024 Creative Writing Scholarship Recipients:

Frances Pemberton Scholarship Awarded to a junior or senior pursuing the study of creative writing.  This scholarship was created by the Trustees of The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation in memory and in honor of Francis Pemberton's service to the Biddle Foundation.

Ryan Copeland , ‘25

Margaret Rose Knight Sanford Scholarship Awarded to a female student who demonstrates particular promise in creative writing.  This scholarship was established in recognition of the untiring efforts of Margaret Rose Knight Sanford on behalf of Duke University.

Ali Thursland , ‘24

William Blackburn Scholarship Recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of creative writing.  Established in 1962 by students and friends of Professor William Blackburn (1899-1969) who first began teaching creative writing at Duke.

Jocelyn Chin , ‘24 Sage Cooley , ‘25 Joshua Lee , ‘26 Rani Teddy , ‘26

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DCU Library Creative Writing Competition Awards 2024

Cregan Library, DCU St Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra

Join us on Tuesday 21st May at 6pm to hear the shortlisted creative writing entries submitted by members of adult reading and writing schemes across North Dublin. This year's awards ceremony will take place in Cregan Library, on DCU's St Patrick's Campus in Drumcondra.

View Cregan Library's location on Google Maps or on DCU's Campus Maps .

The awards night is always a special evening where we recognise the achievements of our finalists and of their tutors and we celebrate everyone who takes part in the competition. It is one of the highlights of the year for DCU Library staff, who participate in the judging and organising of the competition.

The overall winner will be announced by our guest speaker on the night, Aingeala Flannery. Aingeala is a broadcaster and journalist and is the author of the award-winning novel The Amusements. 

Creative Writing Competition Winners 2023

The Creative Writing Competition has been running in DCU Library since 1999. Read some of the winning competition entries we have received over the years and discover the incredible talent of our local writers. 

Admission to the awards night is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Please register your details using the form below to confirm your attendance.

Photos and videos will be recorded at the awards ceremony. Please view our data retention policies regarding recordings taken at library events. By registering for the event you are also accepting the terms stated in this policy. Please contact [email protected] if you have any queries.

If you have other family members or friends who would like to attend you can enter their names in this box. This means that they will not have to register their details separately themselves.

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SUNY Oswego student wins two Global Film Festival awards

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Nicholas Campbell, a senior cinema and screen studies and creative writing double major, and the rest of the production crew of "Replaced" accept their Audience Choice Award at Oswego Film Club's Panic Film Festival. Jocelyn Decker of the Oswego Film Club presents the awards to, from left, Danni Xu (philosophy), Brian Maguda (cinema and screen studies), Campbell and Sofia LeBron (cinema and screen studies and broadcasting).

Nicholas Campbell, a SUNY Oswego senior who majors in cinema and screen studies and creative writing, won two Global Film Festival awards, Best Student Filmmaker and Best Horror Short, for his short film “Replaced.”

The film was created during SUNY Oswego Film Club’s annual Panic Film Festival, where participants are challenged to create a short horror film in just 48 hours. Campbell wrote and directed the film with three other students on the crew; Sofia LeBron as the star and editor, Brian Maguda as the cinematographer and Danni Xu as the sound designer and production assistant.

The Global Film Festival is based out of Los Angeles and connects independent filmmakers from around the world. Winners are awarded on both a monthly and yearly basis.

“They’re an IMDB qualifying event so they’re really popular,” said Campbell. “They get international submissions. [This festival] they had a film from France win, they had a film from India that won, there’s just a lot of people from different countries and styles of film that were submitted.”

Non-traditional path to Oswego

Campbell is a non-traditional student who decided to return to school after getting an associate's degree in criminal justice from Onondaga Community College when he was 23. Now 30 years old, he decided it was time to pursue a childhood dream of being a film director. A screenwriting elective he took at OCC partially led to this decision.

“The professor, Patrick Snow, was like ‘You really have potential, you really should consider this,’ and at the time I never really thought of it as a plausible thing that I could actually do.”

In his time between being a student, Campbell became a full-time paramedic and still does that for work while earning his film and creative writing degrees at Oswego. 

“When I got accepted, they applied all my G en Eds [from OCC] so I only really had to do the major requirements,” said Campbell. “The schedule I put together for my first semester fit perfectly with my work schedule… Things just matched up and I was like ‘I can’t miss out on an opportunity like that.'”

Campbell said that the film festivals at Oswego allowed him to connect with students when he first arrived as a transfer student.

“When I first came I didn’t know anybody. I had never even worked in film before. I had never shot anything, I never did film stuff in high school or anything like that… I had no idea what I was doing,” said Campbell. “But because of Panic, which was the first [film festival] I actually got to do, I got to work with and learn from a group I had never met before.”

During the latest Panic Film Festival that resulted in his award-winning short film “Replaced” -- which won the Audience Choice Award at the event -- Campbell noted that other members of his group similarly benefited from the experience.

“It was the same thing with Brian and Sofia who were also transfer students. Danni was actually a philosophy student from China and saw the poster for [Panic] and thought it would be cool to sign up,” Campbell noted. “So we were just a collection of people who happened to work well together.” 

Support from peers and faculty

While Campbell directed the film, he said it would not have been possible without the collaboration with his peers who were part of the production.

“Collaboration is hands down the most important part of it. With this film 'Replaced,' it never would have been the film that it is if it wasn’t for all of us working well together,” said Campbell. “The fact that none of us had ever met or worked together before, everything just happened to line up to create this.”

Campbell also made it a point to thank the faculty members who helped him grow as a student and as a filmmaker. In particular, he mentioned professor Jake Dodd’s summer cinematography class, where students shot a 16-millimeter tour film for Fort Ontario, which was made possible through the Shineman Endowed Fund.

“Then later I just happened to be in his editing class in the fall where we were editing the film as well, so I was able to work a lot on that film with him, and he’s also been really big on teaching me all the intricacies of how to make a better film and work with a camera better,” said Campbell.

Campbell also mentioned screenwriting professor Juliet Giglio and cinema professor Josh Adams, who also gave him hands-on experience and made him confident in his abilities.

“Everyone together has just really been invested in me and making sure that I continue to get better,” said Campbell. “I was only at Oswego for a little over a year at that point, and I went from never working with a camera, to a year later being able to make ['Replaced']. I never would’ve been able to do it without them helping me along the way.”

Since his accomplishment at the Global Film Festival, “Replaced” was selected for the 25th Chicago Horror Film Festival. Campbell also submitted the film to the Rochester Film Festival, the Yale Student Film Festival and Raindance.

Campbell will be one of many Oswego graduates at Commencement on May 11, 2024.

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