Books on the Bosque Writing Contest 2023

POSTED: Monday, July 24, 2023

$2,800 in Cash Prizes

Award Sponsors

First Security State Bank

Douglass Ford

Roland & Joyce Jones

Entry deadline is September 18  at 5 p.m. CDT for the 2023 Books on the Bosque Writing Contest.

Categories again include short story, narrative nonfiction essay, and poetry.  Awards by category have increased to $300 first place, $200 second, and $100 third thanks to our generous sponsors, First Security State Bank and Douglass Ford. 

$1,000 Jones Best of the West Award

Recently added is the $1,000 Best of the West Award sponsored by longtime BAC supporters and patrons of the arts Roland and Joyce Jones.  The award will be given to the most original work in any category that pays homage to the values of faith, hard work, and perseverance—the Spirit of the West--exemplified in the pioneer days through modern-day ranchers and farmers.

Fees to enter are $10 per piece.  

Category Details:  Fiction and nonfiction categories have a 1,500-word limit, while poetry has a 50-line limit.  The nonfiction essay should be a factual piece written in a narrative, engaging style. Poetry submissions may be traditional and follow conventions of meter, rhyme scheme, etc. or they may be free verse.

Follow this link for contest guidelines, or drop by the BAC for a copy.  Submissions (digital, delivered, or mailed) must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, September 18.

Awards will be presented at the October 28 Books on the Bosque conference.

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BOOKS ON THE BOSQUE CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 28 

Tickets for this year’s Books on the Bosque conference will go on sale in late September.  Tolstoy & Co. Bookshop is once again partnering with the BAC to bring you a great event.

We are excited to announce as our keynote speaker author Charlaine Harris of the Aurora Teagarden mysteries and Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire books (HBO’s True Blood series).  She will be joined by children’s writer K.D. Huxman, last year’s essay winner Theo Boyd of Whitney, and self-published author Grant Ferguson of Clifton. 

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