The Wisconsin People & Ideas / Wisconsin Book Festival Accepting Entries for 2011 Contests

Wisconsin People & Ideas, which regularly publishes some of the best poetry and fiction from around the state, is inviting everyone to become a part of Wisconsin’s new literary canon by entering their annual contests.

Writers are invited to enter their poems and short stories in the annual contests, which are both accepting submissions from Wisconsin residents and students until December 15. Winners will receive up to $500 and other prizes along with publication in Wisconsin People & Ideas and a reading at the 2011 Wisconsin Book Festival in Madison.

Short story contest winners will be chosen by author Valerie Laken. Winners receive prizes of $500 (first place), $250 (second place), and $100 (third place). Winning works appear serially beginning with the first-prize story in the summer 2011 issue of Wisconsin People & Ideas. The first-prize author also receives a manuscript review from a national publisher of note.

Poetry contest winners will be chosen by poet Angela Rydell. Winners receive prizes of $500 (first place, the John Lehman Poetry Award), $100 (second place), and $50 (third place). Winning poems appear in the spring 2011 issue of Wisconsin People & Ideas, with 10 runners-up in subsequent issues. The first-prize poet also receives a three-hour CD recording/editing session at Abella Studios.

The Wisconsin People & Ideas / Wisconsin Book Festival 2011 Short Story and Poetry Contests are supported by the Wisconsin Humanities Council, Avol’s Bookstore, Abella Studio, and Wisconsin Public Television. Thank you to all of our 2011 contest sponsors!

For more information visit http://www.wisconsinacademy.org/magazine.