Department Writing Contests

English Department Writing Contests

THE CHARLES BAXTER SHORT STORY CONTEST
NEW – TO REPLACE THE NICK ADAMS CONTEST FOR THIS YEAR
A $100 cash prize. Winner will be announced at the English End-of-Year Celebration on May 5, 2025.
Charles Baxter is a National Book Award-nominated novelist, essayist, poet, winner of the 2021 PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story, and a 1969 graduate of Macalester College. This contest is for English majors and minors only – all levels. This contest will be judged by English department faculty. To be eligible, submissions must be received by the Deadline: Friday, March 7, 2025 by midnight and follow the guidelines as listed here:
English Department Guidelines for the Charles Baxter Short Story Contest 2025

THE HARRY SCHERMAN WRITING CONTEST FOR SENIORS
Up to seven $350 prizes annually. Winners will be announced at the English End-of-Year Celebration on May 5, 2025.
This endowed prize is awarded to seniors for the most outstanding manuscripts in the following categories:

Literary Analysis
Creative Prose
Poetry

All Macalester English major seniors are eligible, but you may submit an entry to only one category. To be eligible, submissions must be received by the Deadline: Friday, March 7, 2025 by midnight and must follow these contest guidelines: English Department Guidelines for the Harry Scherman Writing Contest for Seniors 2025

ARDIS HILLMAN WHEELER PRIZE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY

Up to three prizes of $400.00 will be awarded this spring to English majors for their study away in the fall of 2025 or spring of 2026. Students should submit a copy of their study away application to the English department. Deadline: Friday, March 7, 2025 by midnight.

Established by family and friends in honor of Ardis Hillman Wheeler ’38, who devoted her life to the teaching of English, first to refugees after WWII and later in the MN public schools.

English Department Awards

LIVINGSTON-PATNODE AWARD:

$400 prize. Winner will be announced at the English Department End of Year Celebration on May 5, 2025.

A cash award for a graduating senior who has made a special contribution as an English major.

WENDY PARRISH POETRY AWARD:

$700 prize (may be split between winners). Winner(s) will be announced at the English Department End of Year Celebration on May 5, 2025.

A cash award to an English major(s) who exemplifies a commitment to poetry and excellence in writing.