Gulf Coast Writers Association Annual Writing Contest for Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry
Each year, the Gulf Coast Writers Association holds a writing contest. Writers may submit work in three genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry. First, second, and third prizes will be given in each genre.
- First prize is $200.
- Second prize is $75.
- Third prize is $50.
You may submit unlimited entries, with a maximum of two submissions per day. There is only one prize per author. In addition, the winners will be published on our website and possibly in Fort Myers magazine. The 2026 Contest accepts submissions from November 1, 2025, to March 15, 2026. The only way to submit is through our website by completing the entry form once you have read the guidelines.
For a sample of the work we have honored, read the 2025 contest winners.
Submission Guidelines: PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW
- Unpublished Work Only.
- Eligibility: Anyone writing in English.
- Word Limit: Prose 1,500 words. Poetry 40 lines.
- Format: Please submit a .docx file.
- Font: For both prose and poetry, use a 12-point font: Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, or similar, easy-to-read font.
- Double Space Prose: Poetry may sit on the page as is appropriate to the poem.
- Do Not Include Your Name on the Document: The judging is blind, so your name should NOT APPEAR in or on the document itself. Don’t worry, we get all the information we need from the submission form.
- Page Numbers: Number your pages in the lower right-hand corner. In Word, use the Insert/Page Numbers function.
- Title: Give your piece a title and use the “Header” function so that the title appears on all the pages.
- Save the Document by its Title: For example, if your piece is called “Skinny Jeans,” save it as “Skinny Jeans”, not “My Weight Loss Journey-Chapter 12 for Gulf Coast Writers.”
- Pen Names: Do not use pen names. If you win and want to be published on our website under a pen name (or no name), we can accommodate that at the time.
Submission Fees:
Enter as often as you like, but you must pay a separate fee for each submission.
| Member | Non Member | Student | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Entry | $10 | $20 | $10 |
| Next Entry | $5 | $10 | $5 |
A Note on Judging:
We use nine volunteer judges, each is a writer, editor, or agent, and the slate of judges changes each year. Each piece is judged by three separate individuals who grade it on a list of characteristics such as quality of prose (or poetry), story arc, narrative voice, and emotional impact. The scores are an average of the three grades. Except for a few breakout pieces, scores are very close.
The judges cannot edit or critique your work for you. Sorry, but we cannot tell you what they liked or didn’t like about your writing.
Winners will be announced on our website. So use your powerful words to write straight from your heart, and send us your stories. We can’t wait.
How To Submit Your Work
Complete the Online Entry Form
Accurately fill out all required fields on the submission form. Double-check your contact details to ensure we can reach you if needed.
Receive Confirmation
After submitting your form and payment, you’ll receive a confirmation on-screen AND via email. Keep this for your records as proof of entry.
FAQ
Who can enter?
Anyone can enter an unpublished piece of poetry, fiction, or non-fiction.
Do I have to be a GCWA member?
No, you do not have to be a GCWA member. Although we would love for you to join, you can pay a slightly higher fee to enter the contest as a non-member
Is the judging blind?
Yes, judging is blind. For this reason, we request that you not put your name or demographic information on the piece you submit
When are the winners announced?
Winners are announced approximately one month after the submission period closes, and the judges have had the time to do their job.
Can I submit more than one piece?
Yes, you can submit as many pieces as you like. However, you can only submit up to three pieces per day. If you have more than 3 pieces of work, you will need to return to each day to add 3 at a time. Each entry needs to be submitted with a separate payment.
