2020 Prize is $1000!

and publication in The Ocotillo Review

 

2021 Submissions open on May 1st, 2021 and close at midnight August 20, 2021

All current entrants will receive a copy of The Ocotillo Review Volume 5.1. Revenue generated from entries to the Chester B. Himes Memorial Fiction Prize will be shared with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for research into treatment and cures for Parkinson’s Disease.

Guidelines:

_There is a $20.00 fee per entry. Contestants may submit multiple entries by paying additional entry fees. The winner(s) will receive the prize prior to their story’s publication date.

_Do not put your name or other identifying info on the document or in the submission title. Family and friends of the judge, The Ocotillo Review editorial staff, or the KGP Board of Directors are prohibited from entering the contest.

_Please submit a 1000 to 4200 word story via Submittable as a Word doc. or docx. in 12pt Times New Roman font – double spaced.

_We welcome the expression of diverse voices, diverse cultures – including stories partly or entirely in Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese and other romance languages. Please include an English translation.

_No previously published stories – print or online – will be accepted. This includes work posted on personal websites or social network pages or groups.

_Any adult writer is eligible.  Manuscripts containing pornography or hate speech will not be considered. Kallisto Gaia Press reserves the right to define those terms.

_We will accept simultaneous submissions for the Chester B. Himes Memorial Short Fiction Prize with the understanding that any story published elsewhere will be withdrawn immediately. No entry fees will be refunded.

_Please include a separate 50-75 word bio providing specific info about awards or publishing credits.

_Failure to adhere to submission guidelines will result in disqualification. No entry fees will be refunded.

More Info:

All entries will be read blind and scored by at least 3 published writers who have completed or are enrolled in an accredited MFA program. The twenty to twenty-five finalists’ work with the highest average score will be forwarded to the final judge without the scores attached. The final judge will select a winner and a runner-up. The runner-up will receive $100 and offered publication. All entries will be considered for publication. Everyone submitting to the contest will receive a copy of The Ocotillo Review. In order to maximize our charitable contribution to the Michael J. Fox Foundation those writers from outside the USA will receive a PDF version of the journal or will be asked to contribute toward the cost of shipping a print copy.

 

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the Austin Economic Development Department.