© Council for Wisconsin Writers 2015        of Wisconsin writers.     First place prizes $500  Honorable mention $50 Student essay prize $250  The Wisconsin Writers Awards are open to Wisconsin residents for work published in the prior calendar year. Submissions will be accepted between November 1 and February 1 for work published in the year prior to the close of the contest. Details are on our entry forms (see links below). Nominations are also accepted for two other prizes awarded in alternating years. The Christopher Latham Sholes Award  recognizes a Wisconsin resident for outstanding encouragement and support of Wisconsin writers. It carries a $500 prize. The Major Achievement Award ($1,000) recognizes work of outstanding merit by a Wisconsin writer in any genre and is awarded this year.  General writing awards Rules and Entry Form (PDF) Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award Rules and Entry Form (PDF) Student Essay Guidelines (PDF), Entry Form (PDF), and Poster (PDF) Christopher Latham Sholes Award Nomination Rules - not awarded this year Major Achievement Award Nomination Rules (PDF) Questions may be directed to our contest chairs.