When was the Tom Howard/John H. Reid Short Story Contest launched?
1990.

How many entries were received in 2009?
1,641. The number of actual participants is somewhat lower, since some contestants submitted more than one entry.

Who won previous contests?
2009: Gabriela Blandy, 2008: Victoria Gouldthorp, 2007: Bonnie Lurie, 2006: Jan Breen, 2005: Jennifer Antonacci, 2004: Fred McGavran, 2003: Stephen Reilly

What types of prose are eligible?
All and any, including (but not restricted to) fiction, nonfiction, short stories, true accounts, essays, articles, interviews, memoirs, editorials, opinions, reviews, surveys, humor, mystery, romance, science fiction, horror, supernatural, stories for children, stories for young adults, plays, screenplays, theses, assignments, guides, how-to, travel, diaries, blogs, lists, translations (so long as the original work is your own or is in the public domain), and personal or imaginary experiences of every kind.

Is there any age restriction?
No - open to all ages.

Is there any country restriction?
No - open to contestants from any nation.

What is the best way to enter from outside the United States?
We suggest you submit online and pay the fee with a credit card.

Are my entries judged anonymously?
No, but your entry is judged by its excellence, not your past achievements, current fame, or relationship to anyone involved with the contest.

Are my entries judged separately from one another (if I enter more than one)?
Yes.

Can a contestant win more than one prize in a year?
Yes.

How many entries may I enter?
There is no limit.

May I submit via email?
We'd prefer that you submit online or submit by mail.

May I include illustrations or photos with my entry?
Yes.

May I submit work that has two or more authors?
Yes.

May I submit an entry by someone who has died?
No. The authors of all submissions must be living.

May I submit my entry simultaneously to you and to other contests and publishers?
Yes.

May I submit a work that has been published elsewhere or won an award?
Yes, all such work is acceptable, provided you own the online publication rights. Work that has been entered in previous Tom Howard Contests is also acceptable, provided you did not win a cash prize. However, if your work was commended or short-listed in our previous contests, we recommend that you revise it before re-submitting. Many stories and essays will read with greater impact if they are shortened slightly. On the other hand, nonfiction generally benefits from additional detail.

Will you return my entry after the contest?
No - please keep a copy of your work.

By entering, am I making any ongoing commitment to buy anything?
No - your entry fee is a one-time charge.

Will I keep the copyright to my work?
Yes. You keep the copyright to your submission. If your entry wins any cash prize, you agree to give both John H. Reid and Winning Writers a nonexclusive license to publish your work online. From time to time, selected winning entries may also be published in printed collections (for example, Watching Time). If you win a prize, we may ask you for permission to include your entry in one of these books. You may accept or decline this invitation as you choose. Your choice won't affect your prize status. Your entry will not be published in print without your consent, and you retain all other rights. You are free, for example, to publish your work in print or online elsewhere, and to enter it into other contests, whether or not you win a prize in this contest.

Does Tom Howard Books sponsor any other contests?
Yes, the Margaret Reid Poetry Contest for Traditional Verse and Tom Howard/John H. Reid Poetry Contest (for all styles of verse).

What is the relationship of Winning Writers to Tom Howard Books?
Winning Writers assists Tom Howard Books with contest promotion and entry handling. It receives a portion of the entry fees in return. Winning Writers is not a sponsor of the Tom Howard contests and does not judge the entries.

Do you rent any contestant information to third parties?
No. Please click here for our full privacy policy.

How can I find out more?
Please email the Tom Howard contest administrator.