2024 Creative Nonfiction & Essays Contest

iō Literary Journal is pleased to announce our Creative Nonfiction & Essays Contest! 

We are looking for creative nonfiction and essays of up to 15 pages max. to be featured in our upcoming print volume. There is no theme for this contest, and we are open to all genres — personal, narrative, craft, etc. — but especially appreciate stories that speak to diverse and unique experiences touching on contemporary social issues.

Please submit only one piece per submission. You may submit unlimited entries, but a new entry fee must be paid for each new submission. We can only accept previously unpublished work and work that is not AI-generated. Simultaneous submissions are permitted but must be withdrawn if accepted elsewhere.

***Reduced submission fee of $10 will apply through June 30th, 2024; standard submission fee of $15 will apply starting July 1st, 2024.***

Rewards: 

Winner

• $200, promotion on our social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter), a website feature, an interview to be published alongside your piece, and acceptance in our next print volume.

Runner up

• Honorable mentions may also be awarded and published in our next print volume.

Payment ONLY through PayPal

Please note: iō Literary Journal acquires First Serial Rights for accepted work(s) for print publications. By submitting, you agree to our full terms and conditions.