September, 2026
Event Details
Terrain.org’s 17th Annual Contest is an award in poetry, nonfiction, and fiction, hosted by Terrain.org, an online literary journal of place publishing essays, poetry, fiction, and art on the built
Event Details
Terrain.org’s 17th Annual Contest is an award in poetry, nonfiction, and fiction, hosted by Terrain.org, an online literary journal of place publishing essays, poetry, fiction, and art on the built and natural environment since 1998. This year’s judges are Todd Boss (poetry), Lia Purpura (nonfiction), and Joe Wilkins (fiction).
Poetry entries consist of 1 to 5 poems combined into a single document, up to 7 pages total. Fiction entries are one story of up to 5,000 words, or up to two flash fictions of up to 1,000 words each. Nonfiction entries are one essay or article of up to 5,000 words, or up to two flash essays of up to 1,000 words each. The journal is especially interested in personal essays, lyric essays, memoir, and literary journalism.
Submissions must not include identifying author information and must not have been previously published in any format, including blogs or social media. Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Up to three entries may be submitted across all genres.
The first-place winner in each genre receives $1,000 and publication on Terrain.org. Finalists in each genre also receive publication and a $200 prize. All submissions are considered for publication. Winners and finalists are announced in December 2026.
Is this event legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any opportunity, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work. Check the organizer’s website and carefully read the terms and conditions!
Subscribe to Writing Deadlines
Never miss a deadline again. The Writing Deadlines newsletter delivers curated, verified writing competitions, prizes, and open calls straight to your inbox — subscribe here.
Could your writing use a second pair of eyes?
ProWritingAid combines deep grammar and style checks with genre-specific reports on pacing, repetition, and readability, helping you self-edit like a pro before you submit your work. Get started here — it’s free to try!