The Virgin Awards Contest is now accepting submissions!

Late Night Library is excited to announce the first annual Virgin Awards—a contest for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers.

Submissions: All entries must be previously unpublished. Entrants must submit in English approximately 1,000 to 5,000 words of prose, or 3-5 typed pages of poetry.

Eligible Poets & Writers: We define a literary virgin as anyone who hasn’t published a full-length book. If you’ve never published a full-length book, you may enter the contest!
CREATIVE NONFICTION AWARDS
First Prize: $300, publication, and three debut memoirs.
Second Prize: $200, publication, and two debut memoirs.
Third Prize: $100, publication, and one debut memoir.
FICTION AWARDS
First Prize: $300, publication, and three debut novels.
Second Prize: $200, publication, and two debut novels.
Third Prize: $100 , publication, and one debut novel.
POETRY AWARD
First Prize: $300, publication, and three debut poetry collections.
Second Prize: $200, publication, and two debut poetry collections.

Third Prize: $100, publication, and one debut poetry collection.

Deadline: November 30, 2013

Guidelines:

Specs: Nine prizes will be awarded annually in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. The contest is open to any writer who has not published a full-length book or collection.

Submit in the following manner: (1) an attached paginated file without any kind of identification, with the exception of the title and entry category, (2) the submission title and category in the Title field, (3) the following information in the cover letter field: name, address (street, city, and state with zip code), telephone number, and email address. A short bio should also be included.

Reading Fee: $10.

Process: Submissions will be read anonymously by our editorial staff. Ten finalists will be selected in each category and read anonymously by our judges. The decisions made by the judges will be final. Competition judges: Aisha Sabatini Sloan (creative nonfiction), Matthew Pitt (fiction), Rebecca Lehmann (poetry).

Additional Guidelines:
1. Participants must submit online through Submittable. Any submissions mailed to Late Night Library will not be considered or returned.
2. Staff and board directors of Late Night Library are not eligible to participate in the competition.
3. Family, friends, students, and former students of a contest judge are not eligible to participate in that judge’s category.
4. Reading fees are non-refundable.

5. Email LNL@latenightlibrary.org for additional information. All inquiries should be addressed to the Editorial Staff. Please type the words “Virgin Awards Question” in the subject line.

Announcement of the Awards: Visit the website on January 15, 2014 for the announcement of the nine winners and twenty one honorable mentions. Winners will be contacted in advance.
Visit the website for details on how to enter: