1st Annual Grackle & Grackle Prizes for Houston Writers

Written By Jianna Alvarez

Luna Moth Prize for 10-Minute Plays and Turkey Vulture Prize in Nonfiction

Judged by Brendan Bourque-Sheil (10-Minute Play) and Raj Mankad (Nonfiction)
$250 10-Minute Play | $250 Nonfiction

Grackle and Grackle is now accepting entries for the Inaugural Luna Moth Prize for 10-Minute Plays and Turkey Vulture Prize in Nonfiction. This contest is for writers living within 100 miles of Houston, Texas and awards $250 for the winner of each category. Winners will also be invited to read their work at a celebration in January 2026. 

Guidelines & Eligibility

  • Writers must live within 100 miles of Houston, Texas.

  • There is no theme for this year’s contest.

  • Entries must be previously unpublished.

  • Entrants cannot have studied with the judges within the last five years.

  • Submit either one:

  • Creative nonfiction:

    • one piece of up to no more than 5000 words

  • 10-minute play:

    • Maximum runtime of 10 minutes (roughly 8 to 10 pages using standard formatting, where one page equals one minute). Scripts over the limit face disqualification.

    • Use standard playwriting layout (12pt font, double-spaced dialogue, single-spaced character names/stage directions). 

  • Winners will be invited to read at a celebration in January 2026, and have the option to have their work published on the Grackle & Grackle blog (though this is not a requirement).

    • If winning authors choose to have their work published, Grackle & Grackle claims one-time, non-exclusive rights to publish winning work on the Grackle & Grackle blog. All other rights remain with the author. Upon blog publication, authors are free to republish the work and should note prior publication with Grackle & Grackle.

  • Multiple submissions and simultaneous submissions are welcome, but you must pay a separate fee for each entry and withdraw the piece immediately if accepted elsewhere.

  • Anonymity: Each submission must have contact info on a separate cover sheet. Remove all author names, contact details, and identifying marks from the script/ body of work.

    • Make sure your cover sheet includes: full name, address, email, and phone number

Submit By Email:

Submit by Mail:

  • Postmark deadline: December 1st

  • Please enclose a cover letter. Make sure your name, address, email, and phone number appear at the top of the first page of your entry.

  • Include a check for $8 payable to Grackle and Grackle.

  • Mention in your cover letter if you want your manuscript returned, and remember to include self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

  • Mail entries to:

    • Grackle & Grackle Prizes [INSERT CONTEST GENRE]

      819 Highland Street

      Houston, TX 77009

Winners

  • Will be notified in January 2026.

* * * Grackle and Grackle is no longer accepting entries for the inaugural Green Anole Prize in Poetry and Nine-Banded Armadillo Prize in Fiction. Please check back next Summer! * * *

Green Anole Prize in Poetry and Nine-Banded Armadillo Prize in Fiction

Judged by Erin Belieu (Poetry) and Kevin Prufer (Fiction)
$250 Fiction | $250 Poetry 

This contest is for writers living in the Greater Houston Area, or within 56 miles of Houston, Texas and awards $250 for the winner of each category. Winners are invited to read their work at a celebration in October 2026.    

Guidelines & Eligibility

  • Writers must live within 56 miles of Houston, Texas.

  • There is no theme for this year’s contest.

  • Entries must be previously unpublished.

  • Entrants cannot have studied with the judges within the last five years.

  • Submit one piece of fiction up to 5000 words, or any number of regularly spaced poems in 4-6 pages.

  • Winners will be invited to read at a celebration in October 2026, and have the option to have their work published on the Grackle & Grackle blog (though this is not a requirement).

    • If winning authors choose to have their work published, Grackle & Grackle claims one-time, non-exclusive rights to publish winning work on the Grackle & Grackle blog. All other rights remain with the author. Upon blog publication, authors are free to republish the work and should note prior publication with Grackle & Grackle.

  • Multiple submissions and simultaneous submissions are welcome, but you must pay a separate fee for each entry and withdraw the piece immediately if accepted elsewhere.

  • Anonymity: Each submission must have contact info on a separate cover sheet. Remove all author names, contact details, and identifying marks from the script/ body of work.

    • Make sure your cover sheet includes: full name, address, email, and phone number

Submit By Email:

Submit by Mail:

  • Postmark deadline: July 1st 2026

  • Please enclose a cover letter. Make sure your name, address, email, and phone number appear at the top of the first page of your entry.

  • Include a check for $5 payable to Grackle and Grackle.

  • Mention in your cover letter if you want your manuscript returned, and remember to include self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

  • Mail entries to:

    • Grackle & Grackle Prizes [INSERT CONTEST GENRE]

      819 Highland Street

      Houston, TX 77009

Winners

  • Will be notified in September 2026.*

About the Prizes
Grackle and Grackle has run creative writing classes and writing events in Houston since 2014. This is a literary award just for Houstonians, to celebrate the creativity and boldness of the people who make up this greatest of American cities.

Sign-Up for our Newsletter below or follow us on Instagram (@grackleandgrackle) to be notified about upcoming contests and events.

  • Summer Contests:
    Green Anole Prize in Poetry
    Nine-Banded Armadillo Prize for Fiction

  • Fall Contests:
    Turkey Vulture Prize for Nonfiction
    Luna Moth Prize for 10-Minute Plays

Jianna Alvarez
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