The EIU Creative Writing Contest: A Chance for Aspiring Writers to Shine
Each year the English Department at Eastern Illinois University holds its annual Creative Writing Contest, offering students of all experience levels the opportunity to have their works of short fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction judged and potentially recognized. On December 10, submissions for the 2023 contest were due, marking the start of the judging process. For many contestants, this event provides valuable feedback and exposure that can help hone their skills as emerging creative writers.
A Brief History of the Contest
The EIU Creative Writing Contest has been a tradition since the late 1980s. Originally started as a way to highlight and reward talented student writers on campus, it has grown over the decades to include monetary prizes for winners in multiple genre categories. Early contests featured judging by professors in EIU’s own renowned Creative Writing program. In more recent years outside writers and authors have been brought in to evaluate submissions, expanding the scope and prestige.
Past winners have gone on to publishing success and graduate studies in creative writing MFA programs. Seeing their work recognized through this contest helped validate their talents and spur further development. It also helped connect some with mentors among the faculty who have continued advising their writing journeys. The high caliber of pieces selected over the contest’s long history is a testament to the level of artistry it draws out in participants each year.
Contest Details and How to Enter
The EIU Creative Writing Contest is open to both undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Eastern Illinois University. There is no entry fee to participate. Categories included are Short Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction. Each genre allows for a single submission of up to 25 pages, double-spaced. Authors can choose to enter works in one, two, or all three categories. They are limited to a single submission per genre.
Entries for the 2023 contest were due by December 10th at midnight via an online submission portal on the Department of English website. Students simply had to fill out a brief entry form providing their contact details and title of their piece, then upload their manuscript as a PDF or Word document. Entrants may optionally include a short bio. All submissions are deidentified and judged anonymously to ensure a fair and unbiased process.
Judging and Announcement of Winners
Once the submission period closes, esteemed guest judges are brought in to evaluate all of the entered works. These judges are published authors with relevant experience and credentials in the genres being considered. They do not know the identities or student status of any entrants. Over the following weeks, they carefully read through each submission and score them based on criteria of originality, craftsmanship, voice, and how professionally presented the manuscript is.
Top scorers are selected as winners, with usually three winners for each category – 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place. Honorable mentions may occasionally also be awarded at the judges’ discretion for other standout pieces. Winners are announced in late January or early February at a reception held by the English Department, where award certificates and cash prizes are presented. All participants also receive individualized feedback from judges on their submissions.
Prizes and Benefits
Monetary prizes are awarded to top winners as follows:
1st Place: $150
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75
Having prize money attached makes the contest an even more significant honor and incentive to enter. But beyond the financial awards, participation provides aspiring writers with invaluable experience. Entrants gain exposure to being judged, learning how to craft professionally presented manuscripts, and receiving expert critiques.
Winning pieces are also given further recognition through potential publication in the English Department’s literary journal, The Vehicle. Past winners have spoken of how competing motivated them to develop their skills and validated their art. Many also mentioned it being an important confidence boost at an early stage in their writing careers. The constructive feedback alone makes the contest a worthwhile experience for all levels of ability.
Ongoing Impact and Legacy
Over three decades later, the EIU Creative Writing Contest continues to be a cherished tradition and important opportunity for local creative writers. It introduces new talents each year while also celebrating former winners who go on to achieve greater success. Several past 1st place winners have since become published novelists. Others have landed prestigious fellowships and teaching positions after earning MFAs.
Having their work stand out through this competition provided encouragement and experience that tangibly advanced their careers. The contest also gives aspiring writers a professional format to be judged in and brings awareness of the English Department’s resources to new participants that may go on to become Eastern Illinois University students. Overall it has a lasting legacy as an influential launch point for many significant creative voices to emerge over the years.
For contestants, the chance to be read and evaluated by expert judges alone makes all the effort worthwhile. But to have one’s short story, poem, or essay rise to the top among peers is an achievement that can open meaningful doors. The holidays may bring exams and assignments to a close for students, but through creative writing, new artistic journeys are just beginning as another year of the EIU contest draws submissions and the selection process commences once more.
Andrew Stroud