Snowbound Writers’ Contest
The Auburn Arts Commission, Inc. is pleased to announce the 2026 Snowbound Writers' Contest.
Submission Period: Entries will be accepted from January 2 to February 28, 2026.
Categories and Limits
Prizes will be awarded in two categories:
Fiction (Short Story) — Maximum of 2,000 words
Poetry — Maximum of 20 lines
Entrants may submit work in both categories, but may submit no more than one short story and/or three poems in total. Though not required, writers are encouraged to consider using the United States Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence) as inspiration
Prizes and Awards
Prizes will be awarded for each category as follows:
First Place: $150
Second Place: $75
Third Place: $50
Honorable Mention: Judges may select to award an Honorable Mention, but this designation does not receive a monetary prize.
Award Policy:
If an entrant wins more than one award in a single category, the prize will be given for the entry earning the highest points from the judge(s). The next highest-scoring entry will then be recognized as the next-place winner.
A first-place winner may not enter the same category for a period of two years, but is welcome to submit work in the other category.
Board members of the Auburn Arts Commission and/or their immediate family members are not eligibile.
Submission Guidelines
A successful entry adheres to the following guidelines:
Copies: Submit two copies of each entry.
Cover Sheet: Include one cover sheet listing:
The title and classification (Poetry or Short Story) of each entry.
Your name, address, phone number, and email address (if available).
Anonymity: Do not include your name or any identifying information on the actual entry copies—it should appear only on the cover sheet.
Aritifical Intelligence (AI): AI may be used as a tool for outlining or editing. However, entries must represent the writer’s unique voice and creative decisions rather than being automatically generated using AI. We reserve the right to disqualify any work that cannot be verified through documentation of the human creative process if requested.
Formatting:
Material must be typewritten or computer-generated on white paper.
Please use double-spacing or 1.5-spacing.
No artwork is to be included.
Return: Manuscripts will not be returned.
Publication: Winners must be able to provide their work electronically for publication purposes on the Auburn Arts Commission website.
How to Submit
Entries may be submitted in two ways:
In-Person: Deliver hardcopy entries to the Eckhart Public Library (epl.lib.in.us) at 603 S Jackson St, Auburn, IN 46706
Digital: Submit entries electronically at the AAC Website
This Year’s Judge
TBD: This year’s Snowbound judging will be announced at a later date. Once the judge is selected and announced, their bio will appear here.
