2025 Writing Contest

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” ~ Ephesians 3:17

Registration is open from July 1 to September 1, 2025

Think nutrients and soil, growth, connectedness. It could be literal or figurative, and we want your creativity to shine. We are looking for original, unpublished work.

Eligibility
Published and unpublished individuals—but the work must be unpublished. (See Fine Print for additional eligibility requirements if you think you might be related to an ICW Board member or a contest judge.)

Deadline
Midnight on Labor Day—Monday, September, 1, 2025

Genres and corresponding word count:
Poetry—2 Pages (.docx or .pdf files accepted)
Creative Non Fiction—1,500 words (.docx files accepted)
Fiction—1,500 words (.docx files accepted)

Cost:
$15/entry

Dates:

  • First Round Deadline: September 1, 2025
  • Winner Announced: 2025 Fall Gathering, October 11, 2025  

Prizes: 

ALL ENTRIES
—Every entry will receive written feedback from at least one unbiased judge: a seasoned author using a rubric

POETRY
—1st Place Winner POETRY Category receives $50 and a 30 minute mentoring video call from one of the top judges
—1st Place Winner and Honorable Mention POETRY Category will have their submissions published on our blog, and highlighted in our newsletter

CREATIVE NON FICTION

—1st Place Winner CREATIVE NON FICTION Category receives $50 and a 30 minute mentoring video call from one of the top judges
—1st Place Winner and Honorable Mention CREATIVE NON FICTION Category will have their submissions published on our blog, and highlighted in our newsletter

FICTION
—1st Place Winner FICTION Category receives $50 and a 30 minute mentoring video call from one of the top judges
—1st Place Winner and Honorable Mention FICTION Category will have their submissions published on our blog, and highlighted in our newsletter

How to Enter: Register for the event below. You may need to scroll within the frame below to see the submit button—depending on the size of your screen. If you have any difficulties, please contact us. Multiple registrations are allowed for a single applicant. Register, pay for, and submit each entry separately. Please contact us if you have additional questions.


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Fine print: 

  • Contest Judges and IdaHope Christian Writers Board Members are not eligible to participate. 
  • Each entry must be an original, unpublished work.
  • The length of the story must not exceed 2 pages for poetry or 1,500 words for creative non fiction and fiction.
  • Fiction and creative non fiction entries must be submitted in .docx file format. Poetry entries may be either .docx or .pdf file formats. All entries must include the title as a heading within the document.
  • Each participant may submit up to three entries. Each story will be its own submission with the full entry fee.
  • Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity, grammar and organization skills, readability, and adherence to the contest theme.
  • The judging panel will consist of Idahope members and writers from the surrounding community. Finalist judges will be published, award winning writers.
  • The decision of the judges is final and binding.
  • By entering the contest, the participant grants Idahope Christian Writers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish, distribute, and promote their submitted work in any media, including but not limited to Idahope’s website, social media, and promotional materials.
  • The author retains copyright of their work.
  • Personal information collected from participants will be used solely for the purpose of the contest and will not be shared with third parties without the participant’s consent.
  • Idahope Christian Writers reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the contest if it cannot be conducted as planned due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.