Competition
Closed
6d past
Open globally
Best in Rural Writing Contest 2026
The Milk House & The Daily Yonder, United States
Starting an application unlocks tasks, requirements, notes, and deadline reminders.
Funding amount
US$500 — Overall Winner
US$200 — Runner-up
US$700 total prize pool.
Deadline
September 1, 2026
Level
Mid Career
Early Career
Other
What's covered
Cash Award
Publication
Global Recognition
About this opportunity
The Best in Rural Writing Contest is an international writing competition celebrating fiction and nonfiction connected in some way to rural life, places or experiences. The 2026 contest is the fourth annual edition and is judged by author Will Weaver. Ten shortlisted entries will be selected, with finalists having the opportunity to be published by The Milk House.
Requirements
- Open to writers worldwide.
- Submit either:
- A short story, or
- A nonfiction/creative nonfiction essay.
- The work must be connected in some way to “the rural.”
- Submission may be previously published.
- Maximum length is 7,000 words.
- Entries are submitted anonymously to the judge.
- Authors of the top two entries must agree to publication by The Milk House and The Daily Yonder.
- Submit through The Milk House's online submission manager.
- Pay the required US$10 entry fee.