Tournament of Writers

The Tournament of Writers, initially started by Deb Christiansen of Schoolcraft in 2015, is an annual writing competition for authors in Southwest Michigan. The Tournament encourages and promotes local writers with a competition open to new and seasoned writers of all ages. In addition to celebrating writers with cash prizes, the competition provides constructive and encouraging feedback from judges to help participants gain insights from thoughtful readers.

This competition accepts submissions in Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction.

A panel of judges scores the submissions using a rubric that evaluates the effective use of language, correct grammar and usage, robust deployment of literary techniques, and creativity. Based on these scores, judges award prizes within each genre, separated by the following age divisions: Youth – Elementary and Middle School (up to 13), Teen – High School (up to 18), and Adult (18 and older).

New this year, we are offering a Speed Coaching Writing Clinic on Saturday, March 7th. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to read their works during the inaugural Pulp & Press Literary Festival on Saturday, April 25.

Every entry received for the Tournament of Writers is published in our annual Tournament of Writers Collection. Purchase links are provided below.