Bayou Magazine’s James Knudsen Prize for Fiction. Seeking original unpublished fiction up to 7,500 words. Prize $1,000 and subscription. Entry fee $20. Deadline Jan. 2. https://bayoumagazine.submittable.com/submit
Pat Conroy Literary Center is accepting applications for writers’ residencies in spring 2020. Stay in a guest cottage on St. Helena Island, SC. Open to published and unpublished writers. Deadline Jan. 5, 2020. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Announcing-Conroy-Center-s-First-Writer-s-Residency.html?soid=1124256585060&aid=vAnjYPdtcEI
Sesame StreetWriters’ Room will select up to eight emerging writers who will each receive hands-on writing experience guided by Sesame Street veterans and other media industry leaders. Those selected will participate in an eight-week program in New York City. To apply, writers must be from an underrepresented racial background, over 21, and a US citizen or permanent resident. Applicants must also not have extensive media writing experience. No application fee. Deadline Jan. 10.
https://sesamewritersroom.org/
Chicken Soup: Stories About Cats and Chicken Soup: Stories About Dogs. Share a story or two about your four-footed family member. Limit 1,200 words. Pays $200 and 10 copies. Deadline Jan. 15. https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
Chicken Soup: Stories About Christmas for 2020 holiday book. Seeking stories about Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities. Up to 1,200 words. Pays $200 and 10 copies. Deadline Jan. 30. https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics
The American Short(er) Fiction Prize seeks extraordinary short fiction under 1,000 words. First-place winner receive $1,000 and publication. Entry fee $17. Deadline Feb. 1. http://americanshortfiction.org/2019/11/05/now-open-the-2020-american-shorter-fiction-prize/
The Masters Winter Short Story Award seeks stories up to 6,000 words. First prize $3,000 and publication; second, $300 and publication; third, $200 and publication. Entry fee $20. Deadline Feb. 1. https://mastersreview.com/short-story-award-for-new-writers/
https://themastersreview.submittable.com/submit/153502/2019-2020-winter-short-story-award-for-new-writers-judged-by-kimberly-king-pars
Jerome Hill Artist Fellowships. Accepting applications for $50,000 fellowships. Deadline Feb. 4. https://www.jeromefdn.org/jerome-hill-artist-fellowships
Information about contests, markets, and grants is provided as a service to writers, and is not an endorsement of any particular contest or sponsoring organization. Always check contest websites for complete rules.