Writing Contests in March

Do you need some motivation to finish a prolonged writing project? Are you looking for a little extra inspiration this month? Maybe you love a little friendly competition? If so, consider applying for these writing contests that are happening throughout the month of March! Pw.org has a list of thousands of poetry, short story, chapbook, and novel grants that are open during different parts of the year. Here are a few that close within the next 30 days: 

The Robinson Jeffers Tor House 2023 Prize for Poetry

The Tor House Foundation is hosting a poetry contest to recognize American poet Robinson Jeffers. Poems may be any style or form, as long as they do not exceed three pages. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable. More details:

• Specifications: One poem of fewer than three pages
• Prize: $1000
• Entry Fee: $10 for up to three poems
• Application Format: Snail mail
• Deadline: Postmarked by March 15, 2023

James Jones First Novel Fellowship

This fellowship is made specifically for people with a novel in progress that have never published a novel before. The application consists of a project synopsis, a cover letter, and a 50-page sample of the novel they'd like funding for. Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent U.S. residents. More details:

• Specifications: Unpublished novel in progress by U.S. residents
• Prize: $10,000, $3,000, and $1,000, respectively 
• Entry Fee: $33
• Application Format: Online through Submittable.com
• Deadline: March 15, 2023

Gemini Magazine Short Story Contest 

Gemini Magazine is hosting a contest for writers with a project of any length, style, or subject, as long as it has not been published elsewhere. Winners get a cash prize and publication in the magazine's June 2023 issue. More details: 

• Specifications: Any unpublished piece
• Prize: $1000 
• Entry Fee: $8
• Application Format: Email and snail mail
• Deadline: March 31, 2023

Please Note: These contests have no affiliation with HubPages; we're just sharing them for fun! Good luck! 

Image created with Canva

Image created with Canva

How to Use Sneak Peeks (and Why They Matter)

If you tend to write listicles (list articles!), you may notice that editors occasionally add a brief, summarizing list to the first text capsule in your pieces. We call these lists "sneak peeks" because they give your reader a quick answer to the query that landed them on your article. This coordinates with the "inverted pyramid" structure discussed in last week's newsletter–we want the most important info at the top!

Here's an example: This article, " The 5 Rs of Creative Nonfiction" by Leon Dupis uses a sneak peek to summarize the information they're providing. This keeps the readers from needing to scroll through the whole article to learn each item on the list. If they want more context, they can keep reading, but it's not required to find the answer to their initial question ("What are the five Rs of creative nonfiction?"). 

Longer sneak peeks can take up too much vertical space on the page, so we typically keep them at ten items or less. Also, it helps to preface your sneak peek with an H3 that incorporates keywords that you couldn't work into your title or H2s (see the article " Six Ways to Cut Sugar Out of Your Diet" for an example of this). 

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Phantom21, From Nigeria, 11 Fans, 40 Hubs, Joined 3 months ago

Fresh Face of HubPages: Favour Nwokonta

This week's fresh face of HubPages is Favour Nwokonta! Favour (known by the username Phantom21) currently has articles published on four different network sites, and writes about sports, tech, video games, and more. Check out their articles on the 10 Strongest Fictional Characters and 13 Records Set by Lionel Messi That Will Never Be Broken.  

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