UPDATE: The submission deadline has been extended to April 22.
Wyoming Writers, Inc., the Wyoming Arts Council, and the American Heritage Center have launched a statewide writing contest in conjunction with America’s 250th anniversary.
The contest invites writers across Wyoming to reflect on the state’s history, culture, and future through original work inspired by Wyoming’s official semiquincentennial theme:
- Honoring our past: Commemorate Wyoming’s history, places, and people.
- Examining our present: Review Wyoming’s role in America today.
- Imagining our future: Plan for Wyoming’s leadership in America’s future.
“The semiquincentennial is a chance for reflection and imagination, and we’re excited to see how writers of all different ages and genres address these themes,” says Rachel Clifton with the Wyoming Arts Council.
The submissions are open through April 15, 2026. Entries must be submitted online through the Wyoming Writers, Inc. website. Mailed or paper submissions will not be accepted.
Writers may submit work in one of three categories: poetry (traditional or free verse), flash fiction (up to 1,000 words), or nonfiction (up to 2,500 words). Submissions will be judged in three age divisions: children (age 12 and under), young adult/new adult (ages 13–22), and adult (age 22 and older).
Winning entries will be selected in each category and age division, with three winners recognized in each group. Winners will receive a monetary prize and complimentary registration to attend the Wyoming Writers, Inc. annual conference, scheduled for June 5–7, 2026, in Casper. Those who attend the conference will have the opportunity to read their work at a public reception on Friday evening, June 5.
Prizes are sponsored by the American Heritage Center and the Wyoming Arts Council. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available through Wyoming Writers, Inc. by contacting wyowriters@gmail.com. Full contest guidelines, including formatting requirements and eligibility details, are available at here.
For more information, visit wyomingartscouncil.org or contact Rachel Clifton, executive director of the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 256-0500 or Rachel.Clifton@wyo.gov.