Carteret Writers Contest

Contest guidelines
This contest is sponsored by the writers group in my area so I know it's legit.  Last year's contest drew a total of 213 entries, so the competition in terms of numbers is not as stiff as some other contests. It's an all-volunteer effort done primarily as a service to writers and last year was the first time the group did not lose money on it.
Cash prizes are offered in each of five categories: fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, and children's: 1st place: $100; 2nd place: $50; 3rd place: $25.
Entries are by snail mail only and must be received by 1:00 PM  March 8, 2011.

Motivational thought: "When your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it."  Jonathan Winters

Two Contests: Poetry and Fiction

More snow yesterday. Good time to snuggle inside and write. Neither of these contests charges a fee.

SPIRIT FIRST POETRY CONTEST

http://www.spiritfirst.org/poetry_contest.html

Deadline: January 31, 2011.
First Prize: $175; Second: $125; Third: $75
Special Category: Spoken Poem: $75

Poetry submissions may be of any length and any style but they must have a theme of meditation, mindfulness, stillness, or silence. Poems may reflect any discipline, any faith, or none. They must be previously unpublished. No more than three submissions per author.

Winning poems will be published on the Spirit First website, in the Spirit First blog, and in the Spirit First newsletter.

HIGHLIGHTS 2011 FICTION CONTEST

http://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest

Deadline: postmarked by January 31, 2011

Submit an unpublished story up to 750 words about an embarrassing moment. No crime, violence, or derogatory humor.

Three prizes of $1,000 each.  Note: The three winning stories become the property of Highlights for Children, but the generous prize for 750 words seems worth it. All other submissions will be considered for purchase.

Orion Magazine

Orion magazine is open to submissions  January 15-30, 2011.

If the New Year makes you philosophical about people and nature, this could be a market for you. The magazine welcomes submissions concerning the collision of nature and culture, the commingling of people and place. Published bimonthly, Orion considers unsolicited essays, narrative nonfiction, interviews, profiles, short stories, photo essays, and portfolios of fine art. No unsolicited poetry. Orion is typically forward-looking, anticipating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for people and nature.  

Feature articles range from 1,500 to 6,000 words, departments from 350 to 1,200 words. Lead time is typically six to nine months. No more than two submissions up to 6,000 words each per person. Pays $400-$1,000 for features, $50 to $450 for shorter texts for first North American serial rights, as well as exclusive worldwide electronic rights for sixty days and nonexclusive permanent web rights for their electronic archive.

Agent Databases

If you pursue the traditional publishing route for your book and want an agent, here are two free searchable agent databases that may help. Happy hunting!

AgentQuery.com

This searchable database of agents was voted one of Writers Digest's Best Web Sites for Writers for the 6th year in a row in 2010. Search criteria include AARP member or not, keywords you enter, genres within fiction or nonfiction, e-mail or snail mail queries, and actively seeking new clients. Besides the database, the site has articles on submission, publishing, and resources.

Another searchable agent database is at 1000literaryagents.com/find-literary-agents.php.