Best in Rural Writing Contest
The Brief Version
Contest submissions may be previously published, and will also be read within 3-4 months of submitting with an eye towards publication on the site, as well as the forthcoming Best in Rural Writing print anthologies. (Note: shortlisting in the contest does not automatically secure a place in the anthology, unless selected as one of the two finalists. The work will be considered by future anthology committees, however). Go to our submit page for more details.
Although the contest and anthology are seperate initiatives, we recommend reading the anthology to get an idea of the type of work that typically gets recognized (and also because it supports The Milk House). You can order a copy here.
Submissions may be up to 7,000 words.
2026 Best in Rural Writing Contest deadline: September 1st, 2026
Enter your prose piece by selecting “contest-fiction” or “contest-nonfiction” in the genre dropdown menu in our submission manager.
Contest fee: $10
First place: $500, Second place: $200
Note: WRITER or SUPPORTER subscribers to The Milk House may enter one contest submission for free by selecting “Subscriber-Contest” in the genre menu. Click here to subscribe.
Email questions to RyanDennis@themilkhouse.org.
The Longer Version
How it Works
Ten shortlisted entries will be selected by the judge after the contest deadline. In the past three years, shortlisted submissions have come from all over the world, including the US, Canada, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Shortlisted authors may elect to have their submission published on The Milk House website in 2027.
Afterwards, the judge will select the best short story and best essay. In the event the judge feels strongly that the two best entries are of the same genre, the top two winners may be both fiction or nonfiction submissions.
Finally, a small panel, as well as the audience, will vote to crown which piece is the Best in Rural Writing. The voting power will be divided by the audience (2/5), the judge (1/5), The Co-Sponsor (1/5) and a member of The Milk House Staff (1/5). The overall winner of the Best in Rural Writing Contest will receive $500, and the runnerup $200. The winner will be announced late 2025. The Best Short Story and the Best Essay will have the option to be published in the 2026 Best in Rural Writing print anthology.
All submissions will be sent to the judge without the author’s name.
Eligibility
The Best in Rural Writing contest is open to everyone in the world. The work can have already been published (or scheduled to be published). By submitting, the author is agreeing to the possibility of The Milk House or the co-sponsor publishing or promoting their submission if it is selected as the top two. After publication, all rights revert back to the author.
Submissions should, in some way, be connected to “the rural.” The manner and extent to which this is done is open to the author and not necessarily limited to rural characters or rural topics.
How to Enter
Please read the following carefully to ensure your entry is successfully submitted.
Non-subscribers will be directed to pay the $10 entry fee. The submission is not yet eligible if payment has not been received (unless a WRITER or SUPPORTER subscriber.)
You may still enter a “regular submission,” seeking to be published on The Milk House site but not a part of the contest. Any entries without “contest” in the genre will be considered as such. Any questions or problems please email RyanDennis@themilkhouse.org.
Although there are no specific formatting requirements, the standard convention of Times New Roman 12 double-spaced is recommended. There is no need for a cover letter.
To submit a short story or essay to the contest, please click here.
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