The 2025 Local Writer’s Showcase is now accepting entries for its Essay, Short Story, and Poetry Contests. Open to adults 18 and older and high school students in grades 9–12, the contests will conclude with awards ceremonies in March 2025 in downtown Bethesda.
The Short Story Contest, presented with Bethesda Magazine, has a Jan. 7, 2025, deadline. Participants can submit stories between 1,500 and 2,500 words. Prizes include $500 and publication in Bethesda Magazine for adult winners and $250 plus publication for high school winners. Additional cash prizes are available for runners-up and honorable mentions.
The Essay Contest, also partnered with Bethesda Magazine, accepts entries of 500 words or fewer until Jan. 14, 2025. Top winners receive identical prizes as the short story competition, with publication in Bethesda Magazine.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership website offers application guidelines and online forms for the Short Story and Essay Contests.
The Poetry Contest, organized with The Writer’s Center, has a Jan. 14, 2025, deadline. Submissions are limited to 21 lines of text. Winners receive $350 and publication in Poet Lore for adults and $75 and publication for high school participants, alongside cash prizes for runners-up and honorable mentions.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership website offers application guidelines and online form for the Poetry Contest.
For more information, visit the Local Writer’s Showcase website.
Photo courtesy Bethesda Urban Partnership.
