Fall 2026 Contests
Adult Submission Deadlines:
Best Book of 2025 – August 1, 2026
(fiction, nonfiction, and children’s)
Everything else – August 31, 2026
Youth Contest Deadline: December 1, 2026
OWL members may enter as many of the adult categories as they wish for a flat fee of only $15 ($16 by PayPal)! You MUST be a member to enter any OWL adult contest.
- High School STUDENTS: $30 includes membership and contest entry fee. (discount is half price off membership fee of $30). Detail – $15 (half of original membership fee) plus $15 (contest entry fee) = $30
Not a member yet? You are most welcome to join and pay your entry fee at the same time, by check for $45, or $46 via the PayPal button on our website ozarkswritersleague.info.
Gratitude and Appreciation
First things first: We sincerely thank all our contest sponsors. Every category you see is here because a generous person or group donated the prize money. There would be no writing contests without YOU! Sponsors are listed with their categories.
What You Get for Your $15 Contest Entry Fee:
- A chance at a cash prize!
- You may enter as many categories as you like, making it much more affordable than others that charge you per category or include an expensive three-figure conference!
- You get motivation to WRITE.
- The categories and themes give you some guidance, so you’re not staring clueless at a blank screen.
- You can use your entries in other contests or submit them for publication afterwards.
- Since we are a regional group and not a national one, your odds of winning something are higher!
- Winning any prize, even an honorable mention, empowers you to use the brag-worthy accolade of “award-winning author” and a credit to add to your portfolio.
How to pay the contest entry fee:
You may pay online or via check.
Online: Use the PayPal button below.
- Please note: There is a $1 charge to cover the PayPal processing fees.
Snail Mail: Send the appropriate fee to the address below:
- Adults: $15 if you’re a member, or $45 to include membership and contest fee.
- High School STUDENTS: $30 includes membership and contest entry fee.
OWL Treasurer
c/o Ron Smith
2772 S. Loma Linda Drive
Loma Linda, MO 64804
Please note: This address is ONLY for the contest/membership FEE. Contest entries sent to this address will be disqualified. Physical address and email address for contest submissions are listed further down below.