The Nelligan Prize for Short Fiction was established in 2004 in memory of Liza Nelligan, a writer, editor, and friend of many in Colorado State University’s English Department, where she received her master’s degree in literature in 1992. By giving an award to the author of an outstanding short story each year, we hope to honor Nelligan’s life, her passion for writing, and her love of fiction. The Nelligan Prize is offered annually. The winner receives a $1,500 honorarium and the story is published in the fall/winter issue of Colorado Review.

General guidelines:

  1. $1,500 will be awarded for the best short story, which will be published in the fall/winter 2011 issue of Colorado Review.
  2. This year’s final judge is Ron Carlson; friends and students (current & former) of the judge are not eligible to compete, nor are Colorado State University employees, students, or alumni.
  3. Entry fee is $15 per story; there is no limit on the number of entries you may submit.
  4. Stories must be previously unpublished.
  5. There are no theme restrictions, but stories must be under 50 pages.
  6. All manuscripts must be typed and double-spaced.
  7. Contest opens January 1, 2011.
  8. Deadline is the postmark of March 11, 2011.
  9. Winner will be announced by July 2011.
  10. All submissions will be considered for publication.

To submit online:

  1. The story title and your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address should be in your cover letter, in a separate document from your story. Be sure your name is not anywhere in the story itself.
  2. Submit here.

To submit via regular mail:

  1. Include two cover sheets: on the first, print your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and the story title; on the second, print only the story title. Your name should not appear anywhere else on the manuscript.
  2. Enclose a check for $15 for each story. Checks should be made out to Colorado Review.
  3. You may submit multiple stories in the same envelope, and the check can be made out for the total.
  4. Provide SASE for contest results.
  5. Manuscripts will not be returned. Please do not enclose extra postage for return of manuscript.
  6. Entries must be clearly addressed to:

Nelligan Prize – Colorado Review
9105 Campus Delivery
Department of English
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-9105

Visit the website:

http://coloradoreview.colostate.edu/nelligan-prize/submission-guidelines/