Bethesda Essay, Short Story And Poetry Contests Accepting Submissions

BETHESDA, MD — The Local Writer’s Showcase in Bethesda is accepting submissions from writers and poets who will have a chance to win up to $500 as part of its 2024 contest.

The Local Writer’s Showcase celebrates writers from Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. The showcase will consist of two award ceremonies and readings, honoring the winners of the annual Bethesda Essay and Short Story Contest, and the Bethesda Poetry Contest.

The contests will take entries in two categories: high school grades 9 through 12; and people 18 and older. The contests are sponsored by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, MoCo360 Media and The Writer’s Center

The deadline for the Essay and Short Story Contest is Jan. 16, 2024. Essays must be limited to no more than 500 words about a topic of the writer's choosing. Only one entry per person is allowed, and previously published essays are not eligible. Short stories must be between 1,500 and 2,500 words.

The deadline for the Poetry Contest is Jan. 22, 2024. Poems cannot be more than 21 lines of text. The poem must be an original work and must be currently unpublished.

Essay and Short Story Contest adult writers have a chance to win up to $500, a free class and membership to The Writer’s Center, and will be published in a print copy of Bethesda Magazine.

High School writers have a chance to win up to $250, a membership to The Writer’s Center and will be published in a print copy of Bethesda Magazine.

Cash prizes are also given for second place, third place and honorable mentions. All winning essays and short stories will be posted online.

Adult poets have a chance to win up to $350, a free class and membership to The Writer’s Center and be published online at both Bethesda Urban Partnership and The Writer’s Center websites.

High School poets can win $75, a membership to The Writer’s Center and be published. Cash prizes are also given for second place, third place and honorable mentions; and all winning poems will be posted online.

Visit the Bethesda Urban Partnership website to learn more about the Essay and Short Story contest. Information about the Poetry contest also can be found on the partnership's website.