We invite submissions in: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction 


From: High School Students, College Students (undergraduate & graduate), Adults

Eligibility:

  • Maricopa County High School students
  • Maricopa County Community College and University students
  • Maricopa County adults
  • Prior contest winners must wait three years from the time of their winning submission before entering new work to the Tempe Writing Contest, regardless of category.
  • Judging will be done by members of ASU’s creative writing community.
  • Please do not include your name or any other identifying information anywhere in your manuscript.
  • No simultaneous submissions please, meaning you have not also sent this work to another contest or literary journal.
  • One submission per entrant only, meaning you can only submit in one category.
  • One winner from each entry category will be chosen for each genre.
  • Winners will be announced in March 2025.
  • Winners will receive a copy of the collected winning entries, a certificate, and cash prize.
  • Winning and runners-up entries will be published on the Tempe Public Library website.
  • A book launch celebration will be held in April 2025 for the winners to read their winning work. 


Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 100 lines of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 100 lines of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 100 lines of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.


Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 3500 words of unpublished, original, single-authored memoir or personal essay in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 3500 words of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 3500 words of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 3500 words of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 3500 words of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .rtf

Up to 3500 words of unpublished, original, single-authored works in English. Please double space, use 12 point Times New Roman font and number the pages. IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name in the manuscript as entries will be read anonymously.

Tempe Writing Contest 2025