President’s Writers’ Contest.

Open on April 1st, 2026

Entry Period is April 1, 2026, until midnight May 31st, 2026.

You must be a member of the Missouri Writers’ Guild or a member of a MWG Chapter to enter.

The entry fee covers all entries in all categories and a writer may choose to submit different titles/works in multiple categories. (Cannot enter the same Title/Work in multiple categories)

Instructions & Categories 2025

Rules and Guidelines

All works must have been published, presented, or performed in the 2025 calendar year.

Walter Williams Award, Sponsored by Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives: Named in honor of the founder of the MWG. This should be a major work, whether in book form or in some other form of publication that is worthy of special recognition because of the research or high literary quality involved in its creation. This award is open to any type of publication or production, including fiction, nonfiction, scripts, poetry (as in a poetry collection in a book), books, published in the calendar year (2024). If in book form, the book must be traditionally published and contain an ISBN number.

“Show Me” Your Best Award: Sponsored by Pen & Publish – Jennifer Geist:  This award is for a work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry published in book form. The book must have Missouri incorporated into it, showing the appreciation for the people, land, and culture of the state. The book must be published and contain an ISBN number.

Best Fiction Novel: Sponsored by St. Louis Publishers Association:  Consider multiple genres, the boundaries of each genre serve as models on which you, the author, can craft your respective stories. No erotica submissions.

 Best Nonfiction Book: Sponsored by Billie Holladay Skelley:  The Howard Kelly Holladay Memorial Award for the Best Nonfiction Book.

Best Children’s Work or Picture Book: Sponsored by The Missouri Association of School Librarians: This award is for Children’s Books (fiction or nonfiction for children aged 0-12).

Best Magazine Article: Sponsored by Missouri Life Magazine: This award is for the best magazine article published.

Best Newspaper Article/Column Sponsored by Missouri Press Association: This award is for the best newspaper article, or the best newspaper column published.

Best Short Story: Sponsored by Warren Martin – President MWG: May be published in a Magazine, newspaper, book, or anthology.

Best Poem: Sponsored by Larry Wood:  May be published in a magazine, newspaper, book, or anthology.

(Note: The president reserves the right to consolidate or cancel categories receiving fewer than seven unique entries.)

 Rules and Guidelines

1. The President’s Contest categories are open to Guild members and MWG Chapter members. 
2. All works must have been published, presented, or performed in the 2025 calendar year.
3. The is no entry fee for MWG members. The fee for non-MWG members who are Chapter members is $15. This fee covers ALL entries, and a writer may choose to submit, in any number of categories.

Categories:

• Electronic entries (book, newspaper, or magazine) may be entered in any appropriate category.
• Multiple categories may be entered. (cannot enter same work).
• Only one submission per category is allowed (you cannot compete against yourself).
• May not submit the same work in more than one category.
• All books must have an ISBN.

 Submission Procedures for President’s Contests

Inferior quality submissions will be disqualified. Therefore, entries that are tattered, smeared, difficult to read, poor quality photocopy, or otherwise unprofessional looking may be disqualified.

1. To establish uniformity, each submission will require a completed Submission Form  for physical print and electronic submissions. Entries received without a Submission Form or without identifying the Category will not be accepted. Place the Submission Form  first in the submission. In doing so, you will ensure your work to be identified and sorted into the correct category for submission to the assigned judge.  Multiple entries require separate cover sheets.
   We have provided an attached Submission Form HERE. 
2. .Books: Send one copy of print books to: Warren Martin 502 B Sarah Lane, Creve Coeur, MO 63141.

3. Send PDF, Kindle or epub file of eBook to: EBOOKSUBMISSIONS@MISSOURIWRITERSGUILD.ORG  Books will not be returned and donated to libraries, schools, or Missouri Writers Guild chapters.
4. Newspaper article or column, magazine article, poem, short story:
   Send one copy of each entry, as a valid link or PDF FILE ONLY to: EBOOKSUBMISSIONS@MISSOURIWRITERSGUILD.ORG

Materials submitted for the contest will not be returned.

Entry Fee

There is no Entry Fee for current MWG Members in good standing.

Non-MWG members who are a MWG Chapter Member is $15 and payable by PayPal at PayPal-alert@MissouriWritersGuild.org or Debit/Credit card and can pay HERE 

1. Disqualification: Entries that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified and the entry fee will not be returned. Any entries not meeting the requirements of these rules may be disqualified at the discretion of the contest coordinator.
2. Entry period/deadline: Submissions for the President’s Contests must be postmarked between April 1, 2026, and midnight May 31st, 2026. MWG is not responsible for any lost or misdirected mail or mail without sufficient postage.
3. For questions, contact Warren Martin at President@MissouriWritersGuild.org

Names of contest winners and sponsors will be announced at the MWG Conference on Saturday September 12, 2026.   All prizes will be paid via check.

 Awards:

Walter Williams Awards: First place receives $100 and a certificate, second place receives $50 and a certificate, third place receives $25 and a certificate. Honorable mentions may be named at the discretion of the judges.

“Show Me” Your Best Awards: First place receives $50 and a certificate, second place receives $25 and a certificate, third place receives $15 and a certificate. Honorable mentions may be named at the discretion of the judges.

Fiction and Non-Fiction Book Awards: First place, $50.00, second place $25.00 and third place $15.00 along with certificates:

Other Category Awards:

First place receives $30 and a certificate, second place receives $20 and a certificate, third place receives $15 and a certificate.

Honorable mentions may be named at the discretion of the judges.

In accordance with Article X, section 3 of the MWG bylaws: Awards may be given at the judges’ discretion. If there are fewer than seven entries in any category, except for the Walter Williams Award, no prizes will be given in that category, unless in the judges’ opinion the work submitted is of such quality as to merit recognition. Similarly, the Walter Williams Award may be withheld if, in the opinion of the judges, no material of sufficient literary merit is submitted.

Awards Announcements will be made at the MWG Conference on Saturday September 12, 2026.   

Congratulations To Our 2025 Writers Contest Winners

Download the list HERE

Welcome to the Missouri Writers Guild

 Founded in 1915, the Missouri Writers’ Guild seeks to educate and encourage writers in their interest and appreciation of the writing craft, to foster and recognize significant additions to the written language, and to support and promote all genres of the literary arts.

The Missouri Writers’ Guild is the statewide organization for professional writers in all genres. Members of the Missouri Writers’ Guild and its chapters provide workshops, networking opportunities, market information, contests, and many other activities to assist writers in developing their careers.

The Guild holds an annual writing contest to honor the year’s finest writing by its members, chapter members, and conference attendees. Over the years, this popular contest has greatly expanded with cash prizes and certificates awarded in each category.

The annual writing conference gives writers the opportunity to hear outstanding speakers and to receive information on marketing, research, and writing techniques.

The Guild has many chapters throughout the state, providing regular opportunities to network with other writers, listen to presentations by successful writers, and learn more about the craft of writing. Look here to find info on other writing groups in Missouri, too.

We invite you to join us and get inspired to write! We accept members who live anywhere in the world. Questions? Contact our President at president@missouriwritersguild.org.

Donate to the Missouri Writers Guild