Prose & Poetry Contest

In 2021, This Side of West held its first Prose & Poetry Contest and are excited to do so again!
The contest has no theme, allowing UVic undergraduate students to submit a fiction story, nonfiction story, or poem on any subject.
This Side of West’s Editors will judge submissions.
One story and one poem will win.
The authors of the winning submissions will each receive:
  • $200.00 CAD
  • Publication in Issue 21.
  • An invitation to be interviewed for Issue 21.
This Side of West no longer accepts PDF submissions. All PDF submissions will be rejected.

Contest Rules

  • The contest is open from October 1st to November 1st, 2022.
  • The contest is free to enter.
  • Only current UVic undergraduate students may enter.
  • Authors may only submit a story or a poem, not both.
  • Authors may only submit one story or poem.
  • Fiction and Nonfiction story submissions must be 3500 words or less.
  • Poems must be 3 pages or less.
  • Submissions must be unpublished, having not appeared in any form online or in print.
  • Simultaneous submissions —submissions which are being considered by other literary journals or publications—are not allowed.
  • Email all submissions to tsowsubmissions(at)gmail(dot)com with the subject line P&P – [GENRE] “[TITLE”] by [FULL NAME]
    • i.e. P&P – Fiction “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
  • Include a cover letter in the body of your email (if you do not know how to write a cover letter, check out how to do so HERE).
If you must withdraw a submission, please reply to the original email and let us know.

Prose.

We seek a fiction or nonfiction story that is short, creative, and excellent for its content, structure, and voice.
Only one prose story will win.
UVic undergraduate students may submit a fictional or nonfictional story of 3500 words or less to the contest.
Follow these guidelines when submitting:
    1. Edit your prose before submitting it.
    2. Format your story:
      • Use 12 point font.
      • Use either Times New Roman font.
      • Double space your entire document.
      • Include a word count at the top of the first page.
      • Paginate all pages.
    3. Submit your story as as a .docx file. (Other file formats will not be reviewed.)
    4. Please include a cover letter in the body of your email.
Submit your prose to tsowsubmissions(at)gmail(dot)com

Poetry.

We seek a compelling poem that has excellent content, structure, and voice.
Prose poems will be accepted, but they must be three pages or less AND less than 3500 words.
UVic undergraduate students may submit a poem of 3 pages or less to the contest. Only one poem will win.
Follow these guidelines when submitting:
  1. Edit your poem before submitting it.
  2. Format your poems:
    • Use 12 point font.
    • Use Times New Roman font.
    • Provide a word count at the top of the first page of the poem.
    • Paginate all pages.
  3. Submit your poem as a .docx file. (Other file types will not be reviewed.)
  4. Please include a cover letter in the body of your email.
Submit your poetry to tsowsubmissions(at)gmail(dot)com

F.A.Q.

Still have a question?

We will announce the winners of the contest at our Editorial Anthology Launch. We will email the winners of the contest after our announcement on December 2nd. The authors who did not win will not be notified.

We will pay the winners in cash.

Yes.

Email us at thissideofwest@gmail.com.