Lilac City Rochester Writers - LCRW is for Writers!

Halloween Poetry Contest
For our Halloween poetry contest we are looking for poems that somehow capture the fun, horror or excitement of this time of the year. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.
Deadline Oct 31st

Free Verse Poetry Contest
Write a free verse poem. This is a method of writing poetry that does not follow any structure or style. See an example and details in the announcement. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.
Deadline Nov 2nd

This Sentence Starts The Story
Write a story that starts with this sentence: Time travel isn't supposed to be possible. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline Nov 4th

Halloween Horror Writing
Write a horror or thriller story for our Halloween writing contest. The story can have a Halloween theme or you can use your imagination to create a story that will put your readers on edge. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.
Deadline Nov 5th

5-7-5 Poem
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should only have three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline Nov 6th

Horror Story Writing Contest
Put your readers on edge or terrorize them for this horror writing contest. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline Nov 10th

Faith Poetry Contest
The theme for this poetry contest is "faith." We are looking for poems that in some way pertain to this theme. It doesn't matter if it's spiritual, political, intellectual or emotional as long as faith is clearly represented. Cash prize for the winning entry.
Deadline Nov 15th

Dialogue Only Writing Contest
Write a story using only dialogue. Cash prize!
Deadline Nov 20th

Flash Fiction Writing Contest
Write a flash fiction story that takes place during a hot summer night. This contest has a cash prize.
Deadline Nov 30th

I Can't
Write a poem that begins with the words "I can't." Cash prize!
Deadline Dec 3rd

Tanka Poetry Contest
For this contest you are challenged to write a Tanka poem. Tanka is a form of poetry with a specific syllable count. See the announcement for an example. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.
Deadline Dec 10th

True Story Contest
Share a memory from your life. Share a moment, an object, a feeling, etc. This does not have to be a profound memory, but should allow readers insight into your feelings, observations and/or thoughts. Cash prize for the winning entry.
Deadline Dec 15th

5-Line Poem
Write a five-lined poem that has a specific syllable count to enter this contest. This contest has a cash prize.
Deadline Dec 17th

Lune Poetry Contest
A Lune poem is a short and fun poetry form with only three lines. View the contest announcement for an example. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.
Deadline Dec 22nd

Rhyming Poem
Write a poem of any type that has a rhyme. Cash prize!
Deadline Dec 30th

100-Word Flash Fiction
Write a story on any topic that uses around 100 words. Cash prize for the winning entry.
Deadline Jan 4th

5-7-5 Poetry Writing
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should only have three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. Cash prize for the winning entry.
Deadline Jan 8th

Share A Story In A Poem
In this contest you are challenged to write a poem that tells a story and also rhymes. We've included examples of this type of poetry storytelling in the announcement. Cash prize to the winner.
Deadline Jan 12th

Non-Fiction Writing Contest
We are looking for personal essays, memoirs and works of literary non-fiction. It can be spiritual, political or funny. Creative approaches welcomed. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline Jan 15th

Sonnet Poetry Contest
Just like Shakespeare did, discover the rhythm and rhyme scheme of the Shakespearean sonnet. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline Jan 18th

Love Poem Poetry Contest
Write a love poem. Your love poem can be fictional or non-fictional. It can be a humorous or a serious love poem. The choice is yours. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.
Deadline Jan 23rd

Dribble Flash Fiction
Write a story on any topic that uses 50 words. Cash prize!
Deadline Jan 26th

Nonet Poetry Contest
Write a nine-line poem for this poetry contest. But you must count syllables. The first line of your poem will have 9 syllables. The second line has 8 syllables and the 7th line has seven. This continues until your final line which has one syllable. Cash prize to the winner.
Deadline Jan 30th

Acrostic Poetry Contest
Write an acrostic poem. An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word. View an example in the announcement. Cash prize!
Deadline Feb 5th

Six-Word Poetry Contest
Write a poem using only six words. Cash prizefor the winning entry.
Deadline Feb 10th

100-Word Writing Contest
Write a flash fiction story on any topic that uses exactly 100 words. Cash prize to the winner.
Deadline Feb 11th

20 Syllable Poem
For this contest you are to write a short poem. The poem should have exactly 20 syllables. You can structure it any way you choose and choose the word count. But the total syllable count for the completed poem must have exactly 20 syllables total. Cash prize!
Deadline Feb 17th

Rhyming Poetry Contest
Write a poem of any type that has a rhyme. Cash prize to the winner.
Deadline Feb 21st

5-7-5 Poetry
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should only have three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. This contest has a cash prize.
Deadline Feb 28th

ABC Poetry Contest
For this contest you are challenged to write an ABC poem. ABC poetry has five lines and often is used to express feelings. See the announcement for an example. Cash prize!
Deadline Mar 3rd

Flash Fiction
Write a story on any topic that uses 150 words. Cash prize!
Deadline Mar 8th

Cinquain Poetry
Write a 'Cinquain' poem for this contest. A cinquain poem is a poem that follows a specific format. Read the announcement for a sample poem. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline Mar 12th

3-Line Poetry Contest
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should only have three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. Cash Prize!
Deadline Mar 17th

Loop Poetry Contest
A fun poetry type that requires you to use the last word of each sentence as the starting word of the next sentence. Cash prize to the winner.
Deadline Mar 24th

One Line Poem
Write a monostich poem which is a poem that is only one line. This contest has a cash prize.
Deadline Mar 30th

75 Words Flash Fiction
Write a story on any topic that uses 75 words. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline May 20th

2-4-2 Poetry
Write a 2-4-2 syllable poem. It has three lines. The first line has 2 syllables, the second line has 4 syllables and the last line 2 syllables. The subject can be anything. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline May 25th