The Bethesda Urban Partnership is accepting submissions for its annual Local Writer's Showcase, with cash prizes up to $500 for local writers.
The 2027 contests cover poetry, essays and short stories. Both adults and high school students may enter. Deadlines fall in early January, according to the contest page.
The short story deadline comes first. Entries are due Jan. 8, 2027. Poetry and essay submissions close Jan. 15, 2027. All topics are open, and each person may submit one entry per contest.
One rule for essay and poetry entrants: work generated using AI tools like ChatGPT will be disqualified.
Adult first-place winners in the essay and short story contests each receive $500 and publication in Bethesda Magazine. Second place earns $250, and third place $150. High school first-place winners receive $250 and publication in Bethesda Magazine.
Poetry prizes differ slightly. The adult first-place poet wins $350, publication on The Writer's Center's "First Person Plural" blog, and a free class and membership at The Writer's Center. Up to three high school "Young Poets" each receive $100.
Winners will be notified in February 2027.
The partnership runs the contests with three partners: Bethesda Magazine, The Writer's Center and The Trawick Foundation. Bethesda Magazine co-sponsors the essay and short story contests, while The Writer's Center partners on the poetry contest.
The essay contest jury includes Michaele Weissman, a Chevy Chase-based author of four books who leads writing workshops at Politics and Prose. She is joined by Rachel Coonce, co-founder and executive director of The Inner Loop, and Kyoko Mori, a professor at George Mason University. The poetry contest judge is Douglas Powell, also known as Roscoe Burnems, Richmond's inaugural poet laureate and a National Poetry Slam champion.
Short story judges have not been announced.
Eligibility varies by contest. Essay and poetry contestants must live in Washington, D.C., Montgomery or Prince George's counties in Maryland, or Arlington, Alexandria or Fairfax in Virginia. The short story contest is narrower: only Montgomery County residents and upper Northwest D.C. residents in the 20015 and 20016 ZIP codes qualify.
Essays must be 500 words or fewer. Short stories must run between 1,500 and 2,500 words. Poems cannot exceed 21 lines. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected].
Upcoming showcase events:
- March 4, 2027, 7 p.m. — Poetry reading and awards, The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh St.
- March 12, 2027, 7 p.m. — Essay and short story reading and awards, The Bethesdan Hotel, 8120 Wisconsin Ave.
