The Bethesda Urban Partnership is accepting submissions for the annual Essay/Short Story and Poetry Competitions!

Essay Contest

Topic: Open

Submission Deadline: Monday, January 10, 2022

Requirements: Essays must be limited to 500 words or less about a topic of the writer’s choosing. Only one entry per person. Your essay must be your original work. Any essays containing material that is obscene or objectionable will be disqualified. Previously submitted essays are not eligible.

Eligibility & Submission Website: https://www.bethesda.org/special-events/writing-contests

Short Story Contest

Topic: Open

Submission Deadline: Monday, January 10, 2022

Requirements: Stories must be limited to 4,000 words or less. Only one entry per person permitted.

Eligibility & Submission Website: https://bethesdamagazine.com/essay-and-short-story-contest/

Essay & Short Story Awards

Adult

First Place: $500 and published in Bethesda Magazine; Second Place: $250; Third Place: $150; Honorable Mention: $75

High School

First Place: $250; Second Place: $100; Third Place: $50; Honorable Mention: $25

Poetry Contest

Topic: Open

Submission Deadline: Monday, January 17, 2022

Requirements: Poems cannot be more than 21 lines of text. Do not double space your entry. Only one entry per person.

Eligibility & Submission Website: https://www.bethesda.org/special-events/poetry-application