"I love this journal because it blends more traditional forms of writing, like the essay, with more experimental works, a blend many lit journals don't achieve. I also appreciate the thoughtfulness seen in each issue as it creates connections between pieces and between different areas of the literary life."
--Creative Nonfiction reader
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Submission Guidelines


Contest: MFA Program-Off * Upcoming Theme and Contest: Animals * General Submission Guidelines


CONTEST: MFA Program-Off
postmark deadline: January 28, 2010

Win a reading at the 2010 AWP Conference in Denver, publication in the summer 2010 issue of CNF, and bragging rights for your program!

Judge: Barbara Lounsberry
co-author (with Gay Talese) of Writing Creative Nonfiction: The Literature of Reality

Guidelines:

  • Contest is open to any student currently enrolled in an MFA creative writing program.
  • Submissions should be typed, double-spaced, no more than 3,000 words, and unpublished.
  • This is a blind read; your name should appear only in the cover letter, and each page of the manuscript should include the title of the piece.
  • No excerpts will be considered; your submission should be a single and complete piece.
  • Only one submission per author will be considered.

Please send submission and a cover letter with your name, university, complete contact information and title of the work to:

Creative Nonfiction Foundation
Attn: AWP Program-Off
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

 

UPCOMING THEME and CONTEST: Animals
postmark deadline April 2, 2010

For an upcoming issue, we're seeking new essays about the bonds--emotional, ethical, biological, physical, or otherwise--between humans and animals. We're looking for stories that illustrate ways animals (wild and/or domestic) affect, enrich, or otherwise have an impact on our daily lives.

Essays must be vivid and dramatic; they should combine a strong and compelling narrative with a significant element of research or information, and reach for some universal or deeper meaning in personal experiences. We’re looking for well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice.

Creative Nonfiction editors will award one $1000 prize for Best Essay and one $500 prize for runner-up.

Guidelines: Essays must be: unpublished, 5,000 words or less, postmarked by April 2, 2010, and clearly marked “Animals” on both the essay and the outside of the envelope. There is a $20 reading fee (or send a reading fee of $25 to include a 4-issue CNF subscription); multiple entries are welcome ($20/essay) as are entries from outside the U.S. (though subscription shipping costs do apply). Please send manuscript, accompanied by a cover letter with complete contact information, SASE and payment to:

Creative Nonfiction
Attn: Animals
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

We try to respond to all submissions as soon as possible. We read general submissions year-round, but depending on the time of year, it is not uncommon for a response to take up to 5 months.

What we're looking for:

  • Strong reportage
  • Well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice.
  • An informational quality or instructive element that offers the reader something to learn (an idea, concept or collection of facts, strengthened with insight, reflection and interpretation.)
  • A compelling, focused, sustained narrative that is well-structured, makes sense and conveys meaning.
Guidelines for Submission:
  • Submissions should be typed, double-spaced, 5,000 words maximum.
  • Submissions to special issues should be clearly marked.
  • Please do not send multiple submissions.
  • Please do not send queries. We consider only complete essays.
  • Faxed or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
  • Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for response. We regret that we cannot return manuscripts.
  • We will reply to manuscripts sent from outside the United States by email, if an email address is provided.
  • We accept simultaneous submissions, but do ask to be kept informed of the status of your manuscript.
  • We typically pay $10 per printed page.
  • Please send unsolicited material to:

    Creative Nonfiction Foundation
    5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
    Pittsburgh, PA 15232