San Joaquin Valley Writers

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We are pleased to announce SJVW’s biennial writing contest for CWC members. For 2026, the theme this year is “Make Us Want to Read More” as we search for great opening lines/scenes in fiction and non-fiction (maximum 300 words) as well as the best in short(er) poetry (two pages or less). Be on the lookout and polish those narrative hooks and poems! As we often hear, if you don’t grab agents—or any reader, for that matter—from the very beginning, you will lose their interest and they won’t continue reading. With this idea in mind, the contest this year is focused on openings for prose fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. We want to see how you hook the reader early on—how you make the reader say “Okay. I like this! I’m hooked!” Instructions:

1. Each entry is limited to 300 words. Please do not send the entire story, essay, memoir, or novel. All we want are those wonderful opening lines.

2. Categories are fiction, essay, memoir and poetry.

3. One entry per $5 reading fee. You may submit up to one more for an additional $5 fee. You will need to submit each entry separately and pay separately. 

4. Word documents only. Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. Double-spaced. No fancy formatting or use of styles, please. 

5. At the top of your entry, include your name, CWC branch affiliation, category, and email address. Example: Jane Doe, San Joaquin Valley Writers, fiction, JDoe@gmail.com. Any submissions longer than 300 words will be excluded from consideration.

6. Unpublished work only. However, work self-published on your personal blog, website, or social media for which you retain the sole rights may be submitted. Excluded is anything previously published, including in an anthology, contest, or collection.

7. We do not accept submissions generated with or by AI in any shape or form.

8. The contest administrator and contest committee members are excluded from participation.

9. Deadline: May 1, 2026 5:00 p.m.  

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All entries will be judged anonymously. A copy of each submission will be made, and the author’s name and contact information will be removed from that copy. Judges will read the anonymous copy and only the administrator will know whose submission is whose. 

Winners in the four categories and two honorable mentions in each category will be announced in August 2026. The winning entries will be posted on our website by September 1. Given the number of submissions, we do not provide feedback and only notify winners and honorable mentions. 

To submit, fill out the form below and be sure to (1) attach your word document before hitting submit, and (2) click on the PayPal button once you submit. That is, you must hit the submit button for your entry to be received by us AND you must also hit the PayPal button for the $5 reading fee. Submission without payment will not be considered. 

We look forward to receiving your fabulous opening lines. We know you’re talented. Here’s your chance to show us with your hooks!

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