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NMU’s Annual Writing Contests provide a platform for undergraduate English majors to gain recognition and monetary rewards for their writing. The contests include a range of categories from poetry to modern issues, with cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500, and the winning pieces are posted on the NMU English department’s website. The third-year English major Eli Saylor, who won the 2023 VandeZande Fiction Prize and received an honorable mention for the Legler Memorial Poetry Prize, encouraged aspiring writers to write consistently and explore beyond what they know.
Annual NMU Writing Contests: An Opportunity for English Majors
The Annual Writing Contests at NMU are a golden opportunity for English majors to earn money and recognition for their quality writing. These contests, specifically for undergraduate students, offer categories ranging from poetry to fiction and modern issues papers. Monetary prizes range from $100 to $500, with winning entries showcased on the NMU English department’s website.
Eli Saylor, a third-year English major, resonates with the attraction of earning money for writing. Saylor, who bagged the 2023 VandeZande Fiction Prize with their piece “For Two”, believes in the importance of consistent writing. They also earned an honorable mention for the Legler Memorial Poetry Prize for their piece “On the Death of My Youth”.
Saylor challenges the popular notion of drawing inspiration from known experiences. They quote Toni Morrison, a former professor in Washington, advocating for writing about unknown experiences. This approach, according to Saylor, brings an element of discovery, making writing more explorative and exciting.
Confidence plays a crucial role in submitting work for review. Writers often doubt their work’s quality, a sentiment Saylor shares. They credit their professor, Julia Talen, for encouraging them to submit their work for the award. Saylor asserts, “[Without them] I would have been too afraid to.”
The submission deadlines for the awards are May 2 for the Cohodas Literary Prize and April 10 for all other awards.
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