Tennessee's Emerging Creative Writers Contest

Zone 3 Press and the Creative Writing Program at Austin Peay State University are pleased to announce the inaugural Tennessee's Emerging Creative Writers Contest. This contest is designed to encourage high school creative writers from across the state and foster their growing literary voices.  

Recognition of skill and talent is given at every grade level (9th - 12th). For each 9th, 10th, and 11th grade levels, three Winners across poetry, fiction, and personal essay will be selected. For those in 12th grade, five Finalists will be recognized with two Winners each receiving a $1,500 APSU scholarship! 

All Finalists and Winners will have their works published in Red Mud Review—an anthology of student creative work—and be invited to read at the Zone 3 Writers’ Festival held on the APSU campus April 12, 2025. This year, festival attendees have the opportunity to attend craft talks and readings led by professional writers, participate in generative writing workshops, and meet with APSU creative writing faculty. 

The submission deadline is March 2, 2025, and students are allowed one submission per category. To submit, click here to visit our Submittable page.